Ego, Ego, Ego! Why Do We Try so Hard?
What is ego? The definition is "a person's self-esteem or self-importance." Is ego what drives us humans to be a part of the group? Not sure if anyone else feels…
Raised Free-Spirited: What is Religious Trauma?
As a child raised by two pastor kids, I've always said that I was raised free-spirited. Meaning that yes, I was encouraged to never limit my soul, but also that…
Experiencing anxiety? Here are 12 Simple Calming Techniques
Anxiety can be common and something that many people experience. So if you’re feeling anxious and stressed out, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience some form of anxiety on…
Three Guiding Principles of Relationships: Embracing the Journey
Relationships are a mystery, don't you agree? You've probably heard the saying, “Some people are in your life for a reason, some for a season, and some for a lifetime.”…
When Celebration and Grief Collide
My daughter’s birthday is in November. As any mom, I get excited as her birthday gets near. But for me, her birthday is a time when celebration and grief collide.…
Everything is Backwards: Being Left Handed in a Right-Handed World
When you're left handed, everything is backwards. It's understandable that the world is made for right-handed people. Only about 10% of the population is left handed. But when you're a…
What is Negativity Bias? Making the switch to Positive Possibilities
A negativity bias is our programmed tendency to focus on the negative aspects of a given scenario creating a bias that does not acknowledge the potential positives. Leah is a…
My Weight Loss Battle and Why at Fifty is it Time to Step Up?
Please be aware that this article discusses bulimia. If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, please call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237, or text “NEDA”…
Learning to go with the Flow: Lessons Learned from my Family Vacation
I am not a go with the flow type of person. I don’t like change. Typically when things happen to force me to change in some way, I don’t adapt…
Is Turning Fifty Really that Fabulous?
When I was a kid I thought when you turned fifty you were ancient. I thought no way will I ever be that old. Then in my twenties, fifty was…
Resilience: 9 Steps on How to Recover Faster From a Set Back
Are you a person with a lot of resilience and find it easy to bounce back or do you struggle after a setback with getting back on your feet? I’ve…
Staying in High Vibration: How to Have a Great Day and A Wonderful Week
Let's take a trip into how to have a great day and a wonderful week. Life can be unpredictable. Sometimes, you wake up not feeling good, it's a struggle to…
How to Fall Back in Love With Your Business: 5 Love Actions to Take
Being an entrepreneur is not easy and sometimes you need to find ways to fall back in love with your business when you've lost your mojo. When we love what…
5 Ways You are Stealing from Yourself and Others: The Practice of Asteya
We practice stealing from ourselves and others all the time. We steal from our futures, our growth, and our ability to take what we want to be the person we…
Examine The Big Picture: Details or 30,000 Feet or Why Not Both
Have you sat in the window seat on a plane ride? That is my favorite seat. I love seeing the view from 30,000 feet. Sprawling greenery, mountains, rivers. It's amazing…
Forest Bathing in the Desert: Being Present in Nature
We were in the desert, but the concept of forest bathing was not on our radar, let alone desert bathing. What life lessons would we encounter while surrounded by nature?…
The 2022 Formula Shortage: My Journey and What You Need to Know
It is hard to know where to begin with what I have learned about formula feeding since April 2021. See that was the month that I launched a local nonprofit…
What Are Your Three Faces? Are You Showing up as Your Truest Self?
The Japanese have a philosophy of three faces. It's the idea that we are not the same person at all time. We show different parts of ourselves to different people.…
7 Tips That Help You Make Self Care a Priority
How often do you make self care a priority? If you are the average person, probably not very often. In this chaotic, high tech, fast paced world we live in,…
7 Things People with an Invisible Illness Want You to Know
Having an invisible, chronic illness is difficult. Honestly, that’s putting it mildly. The truth is, it SUCKS. Being sick is hard enough, but when you have an invisible illness, it’s…
Are You Really Being Truthful? How to Show up In Satya
Being truthful is a fierce practice. Truth has the power to right wrongs. It demands integrity to life and to our own self. Being untruthful is so much more than…
Feeling Stuck? 5 Ways to Feel Inspired When Life Knocks You Down
Do you ever find yourself just strolling through your day-to-day life not feeling inspired in the slightest? You ask yourself how the heck did I get home as you pull…
What Forgiveness Is Not: 8 Things You Should Know
Most people have an idea of what forgiveness is, but have you ever considered what forgiveness is not? Maybe it's not what you think it is. Let’s take a few…
Creating Peace in Turbulent Times: 5 Tools for Finding Inner Peace
I’ve been feeling fragile and uneasy lately. With so much going on in the world, and in my personal life, it’s been a challenge to find peace. I know that…
Practicing Ahimsa: Do you Show up for Yourself in Nonviolence?
Do you feel like you are someone who practices nonviolence? I think many of us would agree we don't harm or murder so we are nonviolent. However, there are many…
In Praise of My Husband on Husband’s Day this April
In Praise of a Husband? I can hear what you're thinking, this is a women's blog! I know, I know, but I want to spotlight how important men and husbands…
My Insight into the Ancient Hawaiian Ho’oponopono Technique
Insight into the Ho'oponopono Technique First, I'd like to tell you about the benefits of using the Ho'oponopono technique and how it started. Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawai'ian practice; that helps heal and…
One Year Shy of 40: Is It All Down Hill From Here?
Celebrating my 39th year feels so ho hum. Is this a result of pandemic blues or is it really all downhill after 40? I polled my peers, my elders, and…
Dissolving Your Beliefs Around Your Own Creativity: Why It Matters
I heard the call of creativity early in life. My preferred creative mediums were Play-Doh, sheets and blankets to construct indoor forts, and producing plays in the living room. I…
What the Heck is Intuitive Eating Anyway?
What the Heck is Intuitive Eating Anyway? As an Intuitive Eating Counselor and Coach, I get this question a lot. I’ve written a couple of other articles about Intuitive…
7 Reasons Why I Procrastinate
I admit it, I'm prone to procrastination so with a little soul searching I came up with seven reasons why I procrastinate. If you're a procrastinator like me, don't be…
Teens and Music, A Doorway to Connection
Why is music so ingrained in our teens, in all of us humans? Why does it transport us to a certain place and time? My teen years are a soundtrack…
Off the Pedestal: Redefining the Image of the Strong Woman
If one more person calls me a “strong woman”, I might scream. Not that I don’t appreciate you considering me capable and mature. But would anyone mind if I took…
I Hate Parenting My Kids: The Honest Truth
I recently read a blog where a mom shared her feelings about the difficulties of being a mom. She was raw and brutally honest. I related to her feelings on a…
Seeing Christmas Magic Through My Daughter’s Eyes
Christmas magic has always been prevalent in my family. My mother was a bit of a Christmas fanatic. She believed and I mean truly believed, in Santa. She swore the…
How Do We Safeguard Our Kids From Toxic Relationships?
It's in the media. It's on so many episodes of crime shows. Toxic relationships turned into domestic abuse. Families are ripped apart by the grief of domestic violence. How do…
Gluten Free Solutions to Holiday Meals: You Can Still Enjoy Thanksgiving
Enjoying holiday meals after a celiac or gluten intolerance diagnosis can be difficult. I know personally those first few years I just didn’t eat that much because I didn’t know…
Goal Setting for the Stage of Life You’re In and Utilizing Tools for Success
Goals, purpose, planners How do you feel when you think about goal setting for the year? Excited, overwhelmed, nervous? They sure feel overwhelming to me. I have so many thoughts…
In Praise of Boredom: 5 ways boredom is good
Boredom: the state of feeling wearied by dullness, tedious repetition, and apathy. Synonyms include apathy, indifference, disgust, lethargy, and monotony. Thanks, dictionary people. What a downer. How can any of…
Your Past: How to Let That Shit Go and Move On!
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "the past is a lesson, not a prison" or something close to that. Dang, why did it take me fortysomething years to figure this…
Mama, Never Give up. Keep Trying, Keep Going.
I sat down on the steps, exhausted, ready to give up believing things could get better, ready to give up trying. The feeling of fatigue covering my whole body. Wondering…
Footprints Outlined in Wisdom: A Poem for the Heart
Footprints Outlined in Wisdom: Poetry by Natasha Ross Full Sun Full Moon, Full Sky, Full Bloom, looming at the end of summer. Drawings of your love fill my heart. courageously…
My Favorite Gluten Free Apple Recipes for the Fall
Since having to go gluten free several years ago, I’ve spent some time (and trial and error) trying to make my favorite recipes gluten free. This is especially true of…
Best Business Practices to Keep Your Financial Records Straight for Your Side Hustle
You started a side gig, started making money, and now what do you do? I'm going to share some best practices on what to do first (even if you've been…
Induction Birth Story — 5 Focuses To Turn Trauma Into Triumph
A year ago I went to my 40-week prenatal appointment alone, masked following pandemic protocols, but looking forward to the ultrasound to get to see my baby. I was not…
Living Through A Home Renovation: 7 Things to Know
In the 14 years I’ve known my husband, we have spent more time living through a home renovation than living in a completed home. When we first met, he was…
Set up for Success: 4 Keys to Kickstart Your Business Finances
Whether you're a new business owner or you've been invested in your business for some time, we're going to review a few key items to ensure your business is set…
There is Beauty in Giving! But Do You Have Limits?
I write a lot about how the beauty of giving is a gift itself, literally and figuratively. What about boundaries or cut-off points to your extended hand? If you do,…
Self-Made…There’s No Such Thing! We’ve all Had Help Along the Way
There is no such thing as a self-made man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one…
One Year Into Quarantine: 3 Things I’ve Learned About Myself
I'll start by saying this quarantine thing hasn't been easy...at all. I have enjoyed some aspects of it and I've downright despised other parts. But I try to look on…
My Dear Daughters, Always Remember That I Love You!!
“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill I am a proud mother of three beautiful young ladies. Having all girls,…
Does Brain Health and Physical Health Relate: Can the effects be reversed to live a healthier life?
Turning 40 recently has me thinking more about the status of my health. Also where I want it to be at this stage of my life. My interest in the…
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Move On?
How do you know when it’s time to move on? Or to say no to something that you’ve previously said yes to? Are you a “Yes” Person? If you find…
Feeling Overwhelmed? 10 Things to do Right Now
Overwhelm is not a feeling most of us welcome. Our typical response to ever-growing responsibilities and demands is to do more and work harder, rather than take a step back…
Empathy, Forgiveness, and Hope: Gifts You Can Give Year Round
Empathy, forgiveness, and hope are gifts we can give all year long. Empathy Before I started my personal development journey, I wondered what the true difference between empathy and sympathy…
Reasons Why We Hesitate to Ask For and Accept Help When in Need
Do you find it difficult and are hesitant to ask for and accept help when you are in need? Why do some of us hesitate when it comes to asking…
This is What 59 Looks Like: Redefining the Aging Process
Old Before My Time I thought I was old at thirty-nine. Through no fault of our own, my husband and I had suffered a devastating financial setback that left us…
Asking the Right Financial Questions: Tips, How-To’s, and Asking for Help
Debit. Credit. Income. Expense. Revenue. Profit. Gross. Net. All the financial words that usually cause a feeling of uncertainty in the realm of money for those that are unfamiliar. Together…
What if Life Were as Simple as a Choose Your Own Adventure Book?
Have you ever read a Choose Your Own Adventure book? These stories allow the reader to assume the role of the protagonist and make choices to determine the main character's…
Hate the Grocery Store? 7 Steps to Become a More Efficient Shopper
Going to the grocery store is something we all have to do. The ultimate adulting status is standing in grocery aisle twenty one trying to decide between refried beans with…
Courage to Thrive through the Home Stretch of 2020: Tips that Empower!
2020 Can Take a Hike! So here we are, going into the home stretch of 2020. To say this year has been hard or unique would be an understatement. It’s been surreal,…
Feel What You Feel: Honoring Your Emotions
Many of us are never taught to feel what we feel. Instead, we're trained to ignore our emotions, to stifle them. We label them as "good" or "bad," celebrating the…
Three Ways to Overcome The Challenges of Being a Caregiver
Being a caregiver can be very challenging and sometimes difficult to overcome but it can be done. On January 31, 2017, the rest of mine and my mother's lives changed…
Why Should You Care About Hispanic Heritage Month?
History of Hispanic Heritage Month The Hispanic Heritage observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to…
Tips for Nurturing Your Special Needs Child’s Self Esteem
As parents we want to do everything we can to help our children grow and these tips for nurturing your special needs child's self esteem plays a huge role in…
Change Isn’t a Bad Thing: Embracing the Circumstances That Shape Us
“Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing!” It was 2016, and we’d spent weeks repeating that phrase to our pre-teen daughters as we packed up to leave the only…
Forget-Me-Not: Caring for Those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
When I try to imagine what it’s like to have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, I think of the flower that represents the cause — Forget-Me-Nots. Though…
Día de la Independencia de México – What You Need To Know!
El Día de la Independencia de México (Mexico's Independence Day) is a special holiday for all Mexicans, including my family and me. It is a time when our dear Mexico…
My Suicide Attempt: Loneliness Does Not Have to Consume You
I could throw statistics at you all day about the number of people who have thought about, attempted, and died from suicide within the last year. But tell me this,…
Her Very Brave Life: Losing A Friend to Cancer
I lost a friend to cancer over a week ago. Yesterday was the first time I was able to even speak about her with my husband because I couldn't talk…
How to Connect the Dots of Your Life
We know the day we’re born, but not when we'll die. One bookend of our lives is defined but not the other. In our younger decades we anxiously race toward…
Making Peace with the Present
Most people do not feel at peace in the present moment. They are uncomfortable with themselves, unable to be alone with their own thoughts. Think about it. How long has…
Before You Break His Heart: A Letter to the First to Break My Son’s Heart
Dear First, Before you break his heart, will you hear me out? As I write this, there is a precious, 8-year-old boy asleep in the other room. He has a…
Sensitivity and Imagery: The Meaning and How They Impact You
Are you someone who is sensitive? If you are, do you sometimes ask yourself or just question, "Why am I so sensitive?" I have many times throughout my life, so…
Heart Centered Women Entrepreneurs: 3 Reasons Why I Choose to Serve
Are you a considering entrepreneurship? Wonder what different industries are like? Trying to determine your ideal client? I've been dabbling with my own businesses for the past 5 years. I've…
My Experience with Racism and Showing Up as My Whole Self
In the glow of the morning light is, ironically, when I feel the heaviest. When I wake up, I admire the sun seeping through the cracks of my curtains, spilling…
Chronic Pain is a Real Pain: Awareness, Coping, and How to Help
Chronic pain is maybe not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word pain. However, it’s the first thing that comes to mind when anyone…
Why You Need to Tell Your Inner Circle How Much You Value Them
Many of us hesitate to be authentic with others because we have been hurt in the past or assume we’ll have more time once we come out on the other…
I Believed the Lie that I was Unworthy; Turns out I am Worthy
Worthiness. I am going to be honest with you. This word makes me uncomfortable. Like, to my core. I suffered years of emotional and verbal abuse in my childhood and…
Attached to My Smartphone: Steps to Create a Healthier Relationship
According to research, people touch their smartphones about 2,617 times a day. Clearly, we spend a lot of time on our devices. I never realize exactly how much until I…
Stop Talking So Much: Five Ways to Practice Listening Better
When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new. Dalai Lama Are we really listening or waiting to talk?…
Birds Build Nests…Why Am I Nesting?
Mid-March I became a different person...a nesting person. Not only did I "celebrate" another trip around the magnificent sun, I also compulsively began to clean and re-clean and decorate and…
The Surprising Benefits of Conflict
Many people do not recognize the benefits of conflict. Instead, they avoid it at all costs. They've been trained to be nice, and conflict just seems so "ugly." Witnessing conflict…
The Memories that Get Lost in the Hustle and Bustle of Life
The memories that get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. I can feel them slipping away. The tiny, every day moments that make being a mom, a wife,…
An Action Plan that Really Works – 6 Simple Success Steps
Frustrated when you can't seem to hit your goals? Me too! This year I've been focusing on productivity and especially in this season - how to create a plan that…
Transformation Above the Neck: A Journey to Mindful Eating
Transformation. I can’t even tell you how many times in my life I have worked to change my form, my appearance. How can I alter, modify my body? What do…
Lessons I’ve learned From My Curly Hair: Wisdom for Navigating Life
Lessons I've learned from my curly hair. Where do I begin? Curly hair. Love it or hate it, it’s mine. There’s no escaping it. Since the moment my hair began…
The Truth About Having a Mental Illness
The truth about having a mental illness is this: It is hard and it is draining. There are so many things that are going on in your head and so…
How To Choose Podcasts Worth Listening To
How often have you felt overwhelmed by all the mediums vying for your attention? I can remember a time before podcasts and social media. Books, radio and TV have always…
How to Break Up With Your Toxic Self in 5 Brave Steps
Do you often believe that you are not good enough? Do you constantly disappoint and judge yourself? Is blaming yourself for making mistakes and expecting perfection a daily ritual? This…
Growing Through ALL That We’re Going Through
"Don't "GO" through life, "GROW" through life. Realize the journey of life is not about being right or pretending to know it all. It's about learning and growing every step…
Time Of Self Discovery During The Stay At Home Order
Over the last 11 weeks I have had some time of self discovery during the stay at home order. During the recent stay at home order many of us have…
Yelling: How to Get Your Message Across
Early in the lock-down, I realized that I had no area in my house to "take" my yoga class. Work was from home, college was from home, high school was…
Five Mental Health Benefits to Growing Your Garden
Long ago, in a time far far away... My grandfather was an avid gardener. In the acre behind their home he had created a small oasis of vegetables and fruits in…
That Glamping Life: Trading in My Tent for a Different Kind of Adventure
I am a “glamper.” I have officially traded in my tent for the glamping life. There. I said it. My backwoods, backpacking, teenaged self-of-old would shudder to hear those words…
Don’t Give Up On Your Purpose in Life: Endure To The End
Have you ever felt like you just want to completely give up and back away from your purpose in life? You have? Me too. Lately, I have felt like it…
The Power of Remembering: Reflections from Childhood
Remembering back to my childhood, I reflected on arriving at the base of my favorite tree. I was ten years old looking up and squinting into the Texas sunshine. I…
The Challenge for Moms and the Childless Woman to be in Community
Moms and the childless in community? All of us crave the fulfillment of whatever we assume is missing in our lives. Otherwise, life would be practically perfect. But the challenge for…
Fun Facts and Tips: 15 Things you Didn’t Know About Money and Finance
Money is always such a serious and sometimes taboo topic. We all want more of it and spend a lot of time researching ways to get it. I thought it…
Bonus Benefits of a Low-Carb Diet NOT Related to Weight Loss
The low-carb lifestyle may not be for everyone, but I encourage you to do some research and see if perhaps reducing your sugar and carbohydrate intake would improve your overall…
How Many Times Are You Willing to Get Back Up When You Fall?
We all, at some point in our lives, have fallen down physically or mentally, ranging from childhood to adulthood. We've collected a treasure chest full of scars from a few…
How to Spark Transparent Connections through “How are you?”
I have long known that God created me with the gift of transparency. But have since learned to shroud it in discernment. To pause for a beat. Then, cautiously determine…
Outta’ Your Head: Saying No to the Tyranny of Compulsive Thinking
Stress. Tension. Anxiety. Busyness. We have too much to do! Too many hats to wear! Too many places to be! We believe life would calm down and the problem would…
Growing Through Rejection, Indifference, and Self Preservation
I was fourteen years old as I stepped off the school bus. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I had just experienced deep rejection. Behind me, the voices of former…
Saying That You are Fine When You are Falling Apart
If I had a dollar for every time I said that I was fine when I was falling apart I would be rich. I am like the queen at saying…
How to Identify Credibility When Information is Constant
There is a constant stream of information in our lives today. We have devices that fit in the palm of our hands that have access to all the information in the world. And if we don’t have said device, there is certainly someone in our circle that does and openly shares this information, whether requested or not. How do we weed out the noxious misinformation? Is it possible to define credibility within constant change?
The Magnificent Mundane: Finding Belonging From Your Line of Survivors
All the little moments that get lost when you are busy running the race to achievement. It's within these moments where belonging waits to be found.
Crapper Canvases: Lessons Learned From Bathroom Art
This reflection of the impact my mother’s bathroom decor had on my life lessons got me reminiscing on other lessons I’ve taken from crapper canvases.
Keep your Marriage Thriving: Tips for Special Needs Parents
Let’s talk about how to keep your marriage thriving, and some tips for special needs parents. Let's face it, having a good marriage does not come easily. Add to that…
Your Legacy is Still Yours to Create- How Will You Build It?
My maternal grandmother lived in a small town in Iowa. She wore curlers in her hair at night and didn’t leave the house without lipstick. Just thinking about her lasagna…
Curb the distractions: Journey Together with 2 Techniques
Do 24 hours a day seem not enough to handle it all? You aren't alone. Balancing family and business while maintaining a sense of self is challenging. Add in social…
Parenting a Tween Daughter: What She Needs Most
Parent of a Tween Girl! I’ve recently entered a new phase in mum-life. Becoming the parent of my very own tween daughter! Of course I’ve been there once upon a…
Behold: A Powerful Practice to Embrace
I stepped out of the car and happened to glance down at the ground before landing on my feet. An odd-shaped rock caught my eye. I immediately beheld how the stone…
Celebrating the Lives and Legacy of Childless Women
The Lives of Childless Women I often struggle in celebrating the lives of growing families around me. Counting myself among childless women I feel like an anomaly. Although maybe more…
Creating Positive Affirmations — Change Your Mindset and Your Reality
How affirmations can be a calming force for people with anxiety or stress.
Losing My Voice, Gaining Perspective: Two Lessons I Learned from Staying Quiet
The quieter you become, the more you can hear.Ram Dass Losing My Voice; Literally Last week, I lost my voice. And I mean that in the literal sense. I went…
Opinions: Everyone Has One But You Never Know Who is Sitting Next to You
Opinions are like... and everyone has one. We’ve all heard the saying, but I find myself baffled that while we wouldn’t dare to share our nether regions, why do we…
When Grief Moves In and Unpacks Her Bags: How Grief Changed Me
When grief officially moves in and unpacks her bags, she becomes a part of every breath and every moment whether we like it our not. When she came to visit…
Your Kids Are Going To Leave: Stop Expecting Them To Fill Your Needs
Our children are miracles. They make us proud, frustrate and challenge us and they teach us a lot about ourselves. However, they are not ours to keep. We don't own…
Holiday Money Blues: 4 Tips to Get your Finances Back on Track
Now that the holidays are over, and the first credit card statement shows up, gulp! Did you spend more than you planned? It happens to us all! I think especially…
Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect: Embracing the Imperfect
There’s nothing quite like one’s first-ever blog post to serve up a big helping of vulnerability, is there? But really, the craving to be more vulnerable is largely what nudged…
There is Nothing Wrong With Having Postpartum Depression: It is Okay
The reality is, Postpartum Depression is a very real thing. According to the CDC, 1 in 9 women experience symptoms of Postpartum Depression. And there is nothing wrong with having…
Hope Deferred Makes The Heart Sick: How to Handle Disappointment
Shattered Dreams Six months ago, our lives became shattered and fractured in one fatal swoop. All of our dreams and our sense of security vanished, leaving nothing but a nasty…
Vision Boards – Express Your Desires and Visualize Your Future
There is a lot of buzz around the idea of vision boards. You've been probably seeing vision board workshops popping up all over your social media accounts. Is this something…
This New Year: Resolve to Finally be Your Authentic Self in 6 Steps
“To be authentic, we must cultivate the courage to be imperfect — and vulnerable. We have to believe that we are fundamentally worthy of love and acceptance, just as we…
Looking Back: A Heart-Centered New Year’s Eve Ritual
Rituals are an integral part of the holiday season. They are shaped by ancestry, faith, and culture, varying from person to person, family to family. A tree with ornaments collected…
Let’s Gift the Gift of Being Present: 4 Tips to Enjoy the Holiday Season
Creating a list, checking it twice, sticking to a budget, making sure the kids are happy and loved. It's easy to get so wrapped up in the shopping and the…
The Universe Gives Us Signs: Listen and Take Action!
"The universe is always speaking to us...sending us little messages, causing coincidences and serendipities, reminding us to stop, to look around, to believe in something else."-Unknown Have you ever received…
Holiday Blues: Coming Face to Face with Loneliness and Discovering Joy
It was a crisp autumn day, down under in the southern hemisphere of New Zealand. Wandering around the city of Auckland, I found myself people-watching while simultaneously soaking up my…
Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas; with the Giving of Tzedakah!
This Christmas season, I encourage you to celebrate the spirit of giving by embracing the Jewish tradition of Tzedakah! More Faith, More Fun! Our family gets the honor of having…
Holiday Memories: 3 Ways to Capture Them in Your Journal
This time of year I enjoy reflecting on my holiday memories, of a time when we all gathered around the tree to open presents or sat around the table for…
Finding Those Raw, Real, Authentic Connections
Raw, real, and authentic can be hard to find Moving. We’ve all done it. Maybe it was for that dream job or maybe it was to be closer to family.…
Pushing Pause: The Power and Gift of Our Presence
I’m unsure where this year went. It feels like just yesterday, my kids and I were filled with much anticipation and excitement for the return of our husband and daddy…
Preparing For the Holidays: Tips For Families With Children on the Spectrum
It is the most magical time of the year and notably the most stressful for many. If you are raising an autistic child then you have some added stress that…
Going for the Win-Win: Decision Making in Relationships
We value strong, healthy relationships, but nothing can damage them more than poor decision making skills. Whether it is a spouse, sibling, long-time friend, or business partner, we want to stay close and feel connected. Going for the win-win is the solution to this problem.
A Christmas Love Story: How A Dog Became My Greatest Gift Ever
All good love stories start the same way...a brain injury and cold noses. Get some hot cocoa and a snugly blanket and let me tell you all about the Christmas…
A Diamond In The Rough: Embracing a Beautiful Learning and Growing Process
Dear Friend, I have something to tell you that maybe you didn’t know!I I see you with your head down and tears flowing. I see the discouragement in your eyes.…
I Got You, Babe: Creating Authentic Female Friendships
Every December for the last five years or so, when my husband and I sat down to list our goals and intentions for the next year, I’ve included “make new…
Pumpkin Pie Modified; An Ode to my Uncle John and His Delicious Recipe
Pumpkin Pie recipes are right on time this month. However, let me be honest, this wasn’t the article I had planned to write for this month of Thanks. I had…
Caution Work Ahead: It’s OK to be a work in progress!
My life is in a current state of unrest. I'm a wife, mom of three kids (two are 5 and under), an employee, and an entrepreneur. In my quiet time,…
Hate: 5 Reasons We Let Negativity Take Over Our Emotions
Hate has always been a hard topic to discuss. It is usually seen as negative and can be deemed as an unacceptable emotion, making us feel like a bad person…
Middle Aging: What the Hell is Happening to Me?
The more wisdom and knowledge I gain by growing older, the more my physical body starts to get quirky. Just when I feel like I'm starting to really know and…
Three Core Life Values: Inspiration for the Game of Life and Football Fans
Fall is in the air, which means it is football season! Whether or not you love the game of football like I do, there are some really great life lessons…
Writing note showing Reality Check Ahead. Business photo showcasing Unveil truth knowing actuality avoid being sceptical written Sticky Note paper Wooden background Coffee Cup and Marker
Validation in the 21st Century: The Impact of Social Media and Communication
Validation? Validation is a hot topic in the 21st century. I don’t know about you, but I see it almost every single day. That is the entire reason for social…
Doubt: The Painful Reality About The Path To Healing.
“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt.” -Honore de Balzac Ever since I was little I have trusted myself. If I dreamed it, I could do…
How to Create Your Own DIY Handmade Art Journal
Disclaimer: I would not call myself an artist. But I do love my handmade art journal. Like many, I possess a creative bent. This means I love finding outlets for…
Music is Healing: Hope, Love, and Community Can Be Found Here
As the end of summer nears and fall begins, it is my favorite time of year for concerts. I love music all year long, but there is something special about…
Confessions of a Yoga Teacher: The Honest Truth
Yoga teachers have it all together, right? Not me. Just because I teach yoga does not mean I have it all figured out. Far from it! I have been teaching…
The Art of Commitment- Lessons in Digging Deep
Glasses clinked together as cheers resounded throughout the room. Cake was cut, ice cream served as the committed couple were celebrated. Giggles bubbled forth around the table. Children and adults…
Show Up – Lessons in Showing Up For Yourself and Others
As the end of summer approaches, I have started hearing stories about heading back to college. It has reminded me of a lesson that I learned in college, but I…
Releasing: Surrendering Control and Understanding
John and Stasi Eldredge have had a significant impact on my life. Through their books and through their teachings, I’ve experienced a deeper understanding of who I am and Whose…
My Reactive Behavior Almost Ruined My Marriage: What I’ve Learned
It's really hard to bring awareness to the parts of yourself that you don't like, especially when you hurt those you love the most.
Lessons from the Diary of a Novice Backpacker
I sauntered up to my sixteen-year-old daughter and inquired, “Interested in having a backpack adventure with your mom?” “Just us? Not dad too?” she asked. “Just us. What do you think?” I…
Enough! Determine What Being Enough Means to You in Two Steps
We are enough. They are enough. You are enough. You've likely heard these phrases quite a lot, but have you taken the time to figure out what "enough" really means…
Summer Fun: 3 Family Friendly Fun Summer Activities
Summer is here in full swing! Our family is at first very excited for pool days, beach trips, warm sun, lots of grilling, and deck time. The sun stays out…
Shame: The Ugly Truth about Secrecy, Silence and Judgment
"Unlike guilt, which is the feeling of doing something wrong, shame is the feeling of being something wrong." –Marilyn Sorensen Some days I look at the woman in the mirror staring…
The Restoration Strategy: Furniture and Self
It was December of 2016 and my final beloved grandparent had passed into the heavenly realm. I personally have found it difficult to endure the transition of grieving loss while…
An Inconsistent Journaling Journey Still Makes You a Journaler
My journaling journey started in high school, the Dear Diary style of journaling where you share your thoughts about friends, school, boyfriends, etc. I was on an inconsistent journaling journey…
When You Feel Like Your Life is Falling Apart: 4 Things You Can Do Now
“Everything is falling together perfectly, even though it looks as if some things are falling apart. Trust in the process you are now experiencing.” — Neale Donald Walsch Sometimes life can feel exhausting,…
Shine Your Light: 4 Tips to be Kind Online and Spread Love
Here in the We Spot community, we are proud to have a space where we feel surrounded by support and love. Each time I hop onto our blog or pop…
Grief Happens: Enduring Hardship
Grief is shifty and can be such a thief. Especially in moments where there are squeals of laughter peeling through the air as children chase each other. Or, shrieks of joy…
My Authentic What Now? Finding Your True Voice When You’ve Stopped Listening
One scroll through social media or a quick internet search and you’ll have no trouble finding posts about authenticity. “Unlock your authentic self!” “Find your authentic self!” “Love your authentic…
Surviving Summer With Your Kiddos – Four Tips To Help You Thrive!
Spring is now in full swing, and summer time is knocking at the door. Soon the doors of school will fly open - and a flood of children will pour…
Learning to Trust Yourself When You Don’t
Do you trust yourself? When you say you’re going to do something, do you know without a doubt that you’ll get it done? For me, for a very long time,…
Letting Go Of Things That Don’t Serve You, Without Apology.
Please be aware that this article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or…
It’s Bigger Than Basketball: When Teams Turn Into Families
My son was practically born with a basketball in his hand. Before he could even walk he was gripping the baby sized basketballs and dunking into trashcans (he may have…
Awaken to Who You Are
Stepping up to the microphone, the girl's hands trembled. Her mind focused on deep breathing and the mental exercises needed for calming her nerves, as well as her voice. She…
Cambodia – The Journey to Visit my Daughter and Myself
An unexpected work trip to China opened the door of opportunity for me to visit my daughter in Cambodia in March, for 5 days. What were the chances that during…
Discover Your Piece to Create Peace in your Home.
Finding the pieces to create a peaceful spot in your home for you to rest and recover. I’m a sucker for all things that make me feel organized or peaceful.…
4 Ways to shift your Journaling Mindset
Do you get excited to start writing in a new journal only to find it sitting untouched a month later? Are you intimidated by the blank pages, or just don’t…
Growing Forward: 3 Life Lessons I Learned That Aren’t Taught in School
Recently I was reminded that in order to grow forward, we must embrace our past. It is a part of me that made me into the person I am today,…
Don’t be a Hater – 5 Reasons to Start Loving your Body Now!
"Dear You, Make peace with the mirror and watch your reflection change." - Sohini Did you know that you don't have to like everything about your body to love it?…
Looking for friendship? Spend time with people you like
Have you ever struggled with friendships? You're not alone. Making friends is uncomfortable for most of us. Let's take the pressure off of friendship.
How To Declutter Your Soul As Well As Your House In a Practical Way
Spring is in the air and perhaps you are feeling the natural urge to declutter your house in a practical way. We are soaking in more vitamin D, it’s getting…
My Unexpected Resolution and How it Can Give YOU More Time Too
Last month the world was filled with talk about goals & resolutions. Everywhere you turned someone was telling you how to achieve something you wanted. I don’t know if you’re…
My Dear Child Thank You. You Made Me Human.
As long as I can remember I had always heard the stories you will never be the same after becoming a mother. I would always nod in approval and give…
When Your Best Friend Has 4 Legs: The Ruff Truth Of Being An Animal Lover
Being an animal lover is something that has always been a part of me. I remember being in 7th or 8th grade and was convinced I was going to be…
Opening up to Pain and Not Showing up With a Smile on Our Face.
“Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. In reality, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it, accept it and learn from…
Which Comes First: Self-Acceptance or Personal Growth?
TRUE OR FALSE? You can't accept yourself and desire personal growth at the same time. Go ahead and think on that for a second. I’ll wait.
Mind Games: The Subtle Art of Telling Yourself to Get Lost
How often do you find yourself in a dialogue…..with yourself? Daily? Weekly? If you are anything like me, this dialogue happens so often throughout the day you may not even…
Growing Up Together: Part 1 – Setting The Scene & Being Honest
If you’ve arrived here in this sacred space you are probably like me; a fellow change-maker, peace-creator and sprinkler of love on our planet. I answered a call from the…
Stick to Your Goals: 4 Steps to Help you Follow Through
Do you ever feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the New Year’s resolutions and goals talk? Wonder how to get started? These thoughts led me to remember something that happened to…
Come and Take a Seat: There is Room for YOU at Our Table
Today is the launch of The We Spot blog. Let me tell you, this has been a LONG time coming. It's absolutely amazing to see it come to fruition. The…
The We Podcast #3: Guest Maryanna Brunkhorst
On this episode of The We Podcast I interview Maryanna Brunkhorst. Maryanna is a writer, dancer, explorer, lifelong learner, woman, and veteran. She talks to us about her story and…