Insight and Healing

It’s a New Year!

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, the world collectively breathes a sigh of relief, gratitude, and hope. Personally, I find this moment to be a powerful pause—a chance to reflect on my journey and envision what’s to come. The transition from one year to the next offers a profound opportunity to reflect on the past, release what no longer serves us, and create meaningful intentions for the future. By consciously engaging with this shift, you can start the year with clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of self.

Letting Go of the Past Year

The first step in embracing the New Year is to reflect on and release the experiences, emotions, and patterns of the previous year. For me, this includes letting go of perfectionism and embracing more flow and trust in the process. This process allows you to move forward unburdened and ready for new beginnings.

Journal Prompts for Reflection and Release

1. What were the highlights of the past year? What moments brought you joy, growth, or inspiration?
2. What challenges did you face, and what lessons did they teach you?
3. Is there anything you are holding onto from the past year that feels heavy or unresolved?
4. What habits, beliefs, or relationships are no longer aligned with your highest good?
5. How can you honor the past year while letting go of what you no longer need?

As you write, allow yourself to feel gratitude for both the highs and lows, recognizing how each has shaped your journey. Once you’ve completed your reflections, consider creating a small ritual to symbolize releasing the old. This could be as simple as burning a piece of paper with the things you’re letting go of or lighting a candle and setting the intention to move forward with a clean slate.

Setting Intentions for the New Year

Once you’ve created space by releasing the old, you can begin setting intentions for the new year. This year, one of my key intentions is to cultivate deeper connections—with myself, my work, and my community. Intentions act as guiding lights, offering direction and purpose as you navigate the months ahead. Unlike resolutions, which often focus on rigid goals, intentions are rooted in the values and feelings you wish to embody.

Journal Prompts for Setting Intentions

1. How do you want to feel in the coming year?
2. What areas of your life are calling for growth, healing, or transformation?
3. What are three values you want to prioritize this year?
4. If you could achieve or experience one thing this year, what would it be, and why?
5. What daily practices or habits can help you align with your intentions?

Suggestions for Improving Your Life in the New Year

To bring your intentions to life, consider adopting practices that support your well-being and personal growth. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

1. Cultivate a Morning Ritual

Start your day with intention by creating a morning ritual. This could include journaling, meditating, stretching, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea. A consistent morning practice sets a positive tone for the day.

2. Prioritize Self-Care

Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, practicing yoga, or indulging in a creative hobby, self-care replenishes your energy and nurtures your soul.

3. Simplify and Declutter

Clear physical and mental clutter by simplifying your environment and commitments. Donate items you no longer need, create a digital detox schedule, or learn to say no to activities that drain your energy.

4. Practice Gratitude

Regularly reflecting on what you’re grateful for can shift your mindset and elevate your mood. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or sharing your gratitude with a friend or loved one.

5. Learn Something New

Engaging in lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and your spirit curious. Take a course, explore a new hobby, or read books on topics that inspire you.

6. Connect with Community

Strengthen your relationships by spending quality time with loved ones or joining groups aligned with your interests and values. Connection fosters belonging and support.

Closing Thoughts

The New Year is a blank canvas, inviting you to co-create a life that reflects your truest self. By letting go of the past and setting heartfelt intentions, you can step into the year with purpose and joy. Take the time to honor your journey, dream boldly, and trust in the magic of new beginnings.

What will you create in the year ahead? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to reply and share what you’re ready to release and the intentions you’re setting for the New Year.

I would love to hear what you are ready to release and what you are looking forward to.

Starting Your Spiritual Journey: A Practical Guide in 10 Steps

Embarking on a spiritual journey is a deeply personal and transformative experience. It’s an opportunity to explore your inner self, connect with a greater sense of purpose, and find meaning in life’s mysteries. Whether you’re new to spirituality or seeking to deepen your connection, these 10 steps can guide you on your path.

1. Set Your Intention

Every journey begins with a clear intention. Reflect on why you feel drawn to a spiritual path. Is it to find peace, heal past wounds, or discover a deeper connection to the universe? Write down your intention as a reminder of your “why.”

2. Create Sacred Space

Designate a space in your home where you can connect with your spiritual practice. It could be a corner with a small altar, candles, crystals, or meaningful objects. This sacred space serves as a sanctuary for reflection and growth.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the foundation of any spiritual practice. Start with a few minutes each day to focus on your breath, observe your thoughts, and simply be present. Over time, this practice can help you cultivate greater awareness and inner peace.

4. Explore Different Practices

There are many paths to spiritual growth. Experiment with meditation, journaling, yoga, prayer, or creative expression. Discover what resonates with you and feels most aligned with your soul.

5. Seek Knowledge

Dive into spiritual teachings, books, podcasts, or classes that inspire you. Whether it’s ancient wisdom, modern spirituality, or something in between, learning from others can provide valuable insights and inspiration.

6. Connect with Nature

Nature is a profound teacher and healer. Spend time outdoors, whether it’s walking in the woods, sitting by a river, or gazing at the stars. Connecting with the natural world can help you feel grounded and aligned with the rhythms of life.

7. Listen to Your Inner Voice

Your intuition is a powerful guide on your spiritual journey. Take time to tune into your inner voice through quiet reflection or meditation. Trust the wisdom that arises from within.

8. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude shifts your perspective and opens your heart to abundance. Each day, take a moment to acknowledge and give thanks for the blessings in your life. This practice can deepen your connection to the present moment and the sacred.

9. Find a Community

While spirituality is deeply personal, connecting with like-minded individuals can provide support and encouragement. Join a meditation group, spiritual class, or online community to share your experiences and learn from others.

10. Be Patient with Yourself

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, not a destination. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you explore new practices and ideas. Celebrate your progress and allow space for mistakes and learning.

Closing Thoughts

Starting your spiritual journey is an act of courage and self-love. By taking these steps, you’re opening yourself to profound transformation and connection with the sacred. Remember, your journey is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to walk this path. Trust yourself, follow your heart, and embrace the unfolding of your spiritual adventure.

If you’re ready to dive deeper and would like personalized guidance on your path, I’m here to support you. Let’s work together to discover the sacred within and create a journey that’s uniquely yours. Reach out to schedule a session or learn more about how I can assist you on this transformative journey.

Happy New Year! 2025!

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As the first light of the New Year graces us, I welcome you into this sacred space of reflection, intention, and possibility. 2025 stretches before us like an unmarked canvas, waiting for the brushstrokes of our choices, dreams, and courage. Together, let us step into this year with open hearts, steady souls, and the belief that transformation is not only possible but inevitable when we align with our deepest truths.

This year, I find myself leaning into a profound commitment: to create a life filled with joy, ease, and meaning. After six decades of learning, growing, and evolving—through two 20-year careers and countless personal transformations—I am embracing this chapter with deep gratitude for the journey and excitement for what lies ahead.

One of the cornerstones of this vision is the Everyday Spirit Quest Membership Program, launching in March 2025. This transformative journey will bring together a supportive community through monthly group meetings, individual sessions, spiritual teachings, ceremonies, and rituals. It’s designed to empower personal growth and deepen your connection to the sacred within. I’m thrilled to invite you to become one of the founding members—more details will be shared soon!

Another offering close to my heart is exploring the ancient and transformative practice of spiritual alchemy. Through workshops and programs, I will guide participants in transmuting challenges into opportunities for growth and uncovering the profound wisdom within their souls. These experiences are an invitation to journey inward, exploring the alchemical elements of personal and spiritual transformation.

Additionally, I am excited to announce that The Center For Insight and Healing will be moving to a new location this year. This fresh chapter represents an opportunity to create an even more welcoming and nurturing space for our community. Stay tuned for updates—I can’t wait to share it with you!

Balance is a priority for me in 2025—a lesson learned through experience. This year, I’m weaving intentional pauses into my schedule: a week off each quarter to recharge, moments to connect with nature, and time to celebrate life with loved ones. Whether it’s camping at my favorite spots, visiting sacred destinations, tending to my garden, or simply caring for my home, these pauses are sacred acts of self-nourishment.

The threads of our soul’s tapestry—relationships, dreams, and practices—also require tending. For me, this means continuing the work of Insight and Healing, creating the offerings of the Everyday Spirit Quest program, sharing the beauty of the Everyday Spirit Quest Oracle Deck one card at a time, and guiding others through programs like The 13 Holy Nights (coming next December). It also means honoring the memory of loved ones, especially my mom and my beloved soul kitty Miko, whose presence reminds me that love transcends time and space.

If you’re stepping into 2025 with a mix of hope and uncertainty, know that you are not alone. The journey of self-discovery is rarely linear, but it is always worthwhile. Let’s commit to embracing both our shadows and our light, trusting that every experience has its place in the grand design of our lives. Together, we can uncover the sacred within ourselves and each other.

Here’s to 2025: a year of possibility, peace, and profound connection. May we find joy in the journey, strength in our challenges, and contentment in the quiet moments. Thank you for being part of this community and for allowing me to walk alongside you on your path. Let’s make this year one of discovery, transformation, and deep, abiding love.

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Embracing the Time Between Christmas and New Year’s

The days between Christmas and New Year’s hold a unique kind of magic—a quiet, liminal space between the festivities of one season and the fresh start of another. It is a sacred pause, a time when the world seems to hold its breath. The rush of holiday preparation is behind us, and the momentum of a new year has not yet begun. This in-between time carries its own rhythm and offers a deep invitation: to wait, to listen, to plan, and to rest.

The Sacredness of Waiting

Waiting is not something our fast-paced world often encourages. Yet this sacred pause reminds us that waiting can be a gift. It is a chance to reflect, to simply be, without the pressure to act or achieve. Just as the Earth rests in winter, allowing unseen transformations to take place beneath the surface, we too are invited to honor this time of stillness. In the waiting, there is trust—trust that life will unfold as it is meant to, in its own perfect time.

The Art of Listening

In the quiet of these days, we have the opportunity to listen—not just to the outer world, but to the whispers of our inner self. What lessons has the year offered you? What dreams, hopes, or desires are stirring in your heart? In this sacred pause, we can attune ourselves to the voice of our soul and to the subtle guidance of Spirit. Listening is a profound act of love—toward ourselves and the divine wisdom that surrounds us.

The Beauty of Intentional Planning

The time between Christmas and New Year’s is a natural bridge—a space to reflect on the year behind us and dream into the year ahead. This is a time for gentle, intentional planning, not the hurried resolutions often born of pressure or guilt. What seeds do you wish to plant in the coming year? What practices, values, or priorities will support your growth? By taking time to align your intentions with your deeper truths, you set the foundation for a year of purpose and fulfillment.

The Necessity of Rest

In the quiet after the holiday buzz, rest becomes a sacred act. Resting is not about indulgence or laziness; it is about honoring the natural cycles of life. Just as the Earth takes its winter pause, we too are called to replenish ourselves. Rest allows us to process, integrate, and prepare for what’s to come. It is in the stillness of rest that clarity and renewal are born.

Honoring the In-Between

The days between Christmas and New Year’s are often overlooked, yet they carry profound meaning. They are a reminder that life is not just about beginnings and endings but about the spaces in between—the transitions, the pauses, the quiet moments that shape us as much as the milestones do.

This sacred pause invites you to step away from the busyness and allow yourself to simply exist. Light a candle, sit with a warm cup of tea, journal your reflections, or take a quiet walk. Embrace the stillness. Trust the waiting. Listen deeply. Rest fully. Plan with intention.

In doing so, you honor this holy in-between time, allowing its gifts to nourish and guide you into the new year ahead.

May these days bring you peace, renewal, and a sense of connection to the sacred rhythms of life. 🌟