My Twirling Altar

Last week I wrote about two different rituals I did to welcome in the New Year. One was to pick an animal wisdom tarot card and angel card, and the other was choosing three of my SoulCollage cards to represent past, present, and future. I also journaled with each of them.

I wanted to keep them in a prominent place in my writing cottage to remind me of the experience and what I discovered during my journaling as a guide to move me into the New Year. I had planned to just print them up on one sheet of paper and post on my wall.

But then I came up with the idea to make them into a mobile! I love how they twirl – like an altar in motion – a reminder to keep moving in the direction of my hopes and dreams – knowing I have my cards and my own inner wise self as my guide.

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Finding Clarity through Tuning in and Really Listening

I share with you today the book trailer I made for my latest memoir, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift.

When I decided to write this book, I wanted more than anything for people (especially women) to read it and know that they deserve to take time for themselves – that really, it is imperative in order to live the life they want.

A part of me felt vulnerable at times for sharing my story about grief, letting go, and not knowing what was next, because I’d thought I’d had it all figured out, and then realized we will have many transitional periods in our lives. I also believed in my heart that many others were going through a similar transitional time, or would be in the future.

While I envisioned being in the place I am today, a new direction of helping and encouraging women to take time for creativity, stillness, and looking within to listen to their own soul whispers, I look back now and see that every step I took until this point was necessary – even though at times it felt like I was in murky water and I’d never get out of that questionable place.

Putting together this video today is just another way in which I want to encourage others and let them know that is perfectly okay to be in a space of transition – to see it as a gift – to sift through your thoughts with gentleness.

I hope you will enjoy the video. And if you are a reader of my blog who lives nearby, I’d welcome you to take time just for you during a winter women’s creative sacred soul circle I’m facilitating at my studio, Joyful Pause. It begins January 19th, and you can learn more about it here. I’ve extended the early bird pricing because I truly want to be of help to others.

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A Reminder of the Gift of Pausing Often

A Reminder of the Gift of Pausing Often

One of my heart centered intentions for this year is to pause and meditate ten minutes in my writing cottage before I open my computer for the day.

In the past, I’d meditate right after my yoga practice, then eat breakfast, and get ready for the day. Oftentimes that left me losing the feeling of what I’d gained during my practice and I’d rush right into my work. 

While recently listening to a podcast with Kaya Singer, who interviews wise and wilder women, it was Shamanic Medicine Healer, Susan Jenkins who offered this ritual as one that she does. I loved how it sounded and a resonating, warm feeling washed through me.

I started this ritual last week. So far, I really love it. Though I’ll admit there are some days, like today, with exciting projects on my plate, that I had lots of anxious butterflies flying around in my stomach. I didn’t know if I could sit for ten minutes.  So I chose a word as my mantra. 

I chose center and in my minds eye I slowly wrote out each letter, over and over, until the butterflies disappeared. I think this is the thing with meditation – it’s not going to be perfect – but one that if you can find a way to sit through those times you are anxious, you will be greatly rewarded.

And I was reminded just a few days ago of another way in which to pause when I was deep in my work on the computer, and felt something tugging at me to stop and look.

As I stopped, looked over to my right to my oversized wicker chair, that I saw Gidget looking at me in such a sweet way, which I captured in the photo above. Another way in which I honored the gift of the pause and just sat in silence and stillness with her for a few moments.

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