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Living My Best Life at 61: A Sacred Journey of Health and Happiness

March 8, 2025 by Barb Brown

A Year of Sacred Renewal

A Year of Sacred Renewal

As I prepare to celebrate my 61st birthday on March 6, I find myself standing at a powerful threshold—not only the beginning of another year but a time of sacred renewal, reflection, and re-commitment to living fully. I feel an unmistakable calling to make this next chapter my most vibrant yet. My goal is to be more alive and radiant than ever before, with a deep sense of purpose guiding me. Here’s how I plan to get there, weaving together key elements like exercise, meditation, and nutrition in a way that feels aligned, joyful, and sacred.

The Joy of Possibility — embracing play and wonder as life expands

This phrase will be my guiding light this year, reminding me to approach each day with curiosity, openness, and a playful heart.

  1. Moving My Body with Purpose: Exercise and Movement

Movement has always been a grounding force in my life, and as I step into this year, it will be a key pillar of my vitality plan. I’m walking daily, aiming for 5,000 to 10,000 steps, but I know the magic really happens when I push beyond my comfort zone. That means hitting the trails at Standley Lake Regional Park, exploring new hiking spots, and walking along my other favorite local paths.

I’ll also bring more variety into my routine with strength training, resistance band exercises, and daily stretching. I have access to a gym and home equipment, like my rebounder and stationary bike, but the key this year is consistency. I’m not just exercising to burn calories—I’m moving to feel alive in my body, improve my strength and flexibility, and stay connected to nature.

To mix things up, I’ll explore exercise routines designed for women over 60, including classes that focus on balance, core strength, and joint mobility. By prioritizing movement that feels joyful and sustainable, I’m creating a fitness routine that will carry me forward with strength and vitality.

  1. Meditation, Qigong, and Connecting with My Inner Calm

My spiritual path has always been at the core of my life—I view meditation as sacred time to come back to my center. This year, I’ll prioritize daily meditation, integrating breathwork and visualization practices to reduce stress and cultivate peace. I also plan to deepen my qigong practice, combining slow, flowing movements with mindful awareness to improve my energy flow.

I’ll continue to align with the moon cycles, solstices, and equinoxes, honoring the rhythm of nature through rituals and ceremonies. I also want to explore more guided meditations around energy clearing, heart healing, and connection with spirit guides.

  1. Nourishing My Body with Good Food and Supplements

I’ve learned over the years that food is medicine, and what I eat directly affects my energy, mood, and overall health. As someone who needs to avoid nightshades and tries to limit sugar and gluten, I’ll continue making mindful food choices while adding more nourishing, whole foods to my meals.

This year, I’m focusing on:

  • Organic fresh vegetables and fruits like leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, and berries
  • Healthy fats from avocados, olive oil, and nuts
  • High-quality proteins like grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish
  • Superfoods like chia seeds, hemp seeds, and antioxidant-rich berries
  • Anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce inflammation and support overall wellness

I’ve also found value in the Yuka app for making better choices and will continue exploring products that support my health. I’m working with a nutritionist and naturopath to ensure I’m taking the right supplements and eating the best foods for my body’s unique needs. My supplement routine includes vitamins, probiotics, and homeopathic remedies, all personalized for my optimal well-being.

  1. Managing Stress and Prioritizing Self-Care

Stress management is crucial to vibrant living, and this year, I plan to make self-care non-negotiable. This includes:

  • Weekly self-care rituals, like Epsom salt baths, journaling, and quiet evenings with a good book
  • Nature therapy, with walks in the park and moments of stillness in my garden
  • Sleep hygiene, ensuring I get restful, restorative sleep—look for my updated “Get Good Sleep” program coming soon!
  • Boundaries, learning to say no when needed and creating space for rest and reflection

I’ve also promised to take more time off this year, planning for one week of vacation each quarter, some time off around my birthday to recharge and reflect, and a solo retreat somewhere fun in September.

  1. Building Strength from Within: Emotional and Spiritual Health

Vibrant living isn’t just about the body—it’s about nurturing my spirit. This year, I’m committed to:

  • Daily gratitude practices that anchor me in joy and abundance
  • Shadow work and emotional release, so I can let go of what no longer serves me
  • Creative expression through SoulCollage and Journey Circles
  • Sacred connections, spending more time with loved ones, and deepening my relationship with spirit guides
  1. Staying Joyful and Playful

At 61, I want to embrace joy in everything I do. That means making space for laughter, play, and adventure—whether it’s a dirt bike ride in Wyoming (yes, I still ride—I’ve been riding since I was 9 years old), a walk with my dogs Sonic and Blayze, or weekend adventures, including both day trips and overnight getaways, where I can bring my cats, Ash and Willow, too.

I’ll be saying yes to what excites me and releasing anything that feels like a burden. Life is too short not to have fun while working toward my goals.

  1. Visioning Financial Security and Freedom

I’m also committed to creating a life of abundance. This year marks an exciting expansion in my business, with the launch of new classes and the growth of my membership program, Everyday Spirit Quest. I am dedicated to offering enriching experiences that support spiritual growth, transformation, and community connection. I’m working on building multiple streams of income through programs like Everyday Spirit Quest, Spiritual Alchemy, and self-paced offerings. By balancing creative work with financial planning, I’m setting myself up for a future where I can enjoy financial security without sacrificing joy.

  1. Choosing Healthy Options for Skin and Hair Care

What I put on my body is just as important as what I put in it. I’m continuing to be intentional about the products I use, choosing natural and non-toxic options for my skin and hair care. Thanks to the Yuka app, I’m making informed decisions and selecting products that nourish my body without harmful chemicals.

  1. Listening to My Body and Honoring What It Needs

Above all, this year is about listening to my body’s wisdom—knowing when to push and when to rest. If I need a quiet day, I’ll honor it. If my body craves movement, I’ll get outside. This practice of deep listening is what will help me sustain my energy and prevent burnout.

Embracing the Journey Ahead

Turning 61 feels like a sacred milestone—a chance to step further into my crone years with wisdom, grace, and vitality. It’s not about chasing youth; it’s about creating a version of myself that feels more alive, free, and fulfilled than ever before.

This year, I’m embracing my sacred path and letting my intuition guide me every step of the way. Here’s to 61 being a year of transformation, adventure, and vibrant living—a year where anything is possible.

P.S. Watch your inbox for special birthday surprises coming throughout the month.

Awakening the Sacred Within – the Quiet Days of December

December 29, 2024 by Barb Brown

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. 🌟

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