“Yikes!” — Gathering Your Power in Turbulent Times Yikes! That is truly the only word that captures the spirit of this week. So many things happening at once—globally, personally, spiritually—it feels like the emotional winds have been strong enough to shake even the most grounded roots. This week reminded me that now, more than ever, it is essential to gather every ounce of emotional intelligence , lean into daily affirmations, and anchor ourselves in gratitude. The world ma

Relentless Hope Hope! Wow! This week unfolded with transitions in every direction—social, political, and personal. It has been a week of shifting ground, yet through it all, one message rang clearly: hope must be relentless . I realized once again that while I cannot control the events of the world, I can control my response  to them. My reactions shape my peace of mind, my health, and my sense of purpose. As the storms of uncertainty swirl around, the practice of grounding m

The Speed of Time and the Grace of Reflection Time is moving so fast! These autumn weeks seem to be rushing by, as if the calendar itself is eager to reach the holidays. I almost forgot to pause and create my Sunday reflections—proof that even our most cherished rituals can slip away in the current of busy days. Yet, as I sit here now, tea in hand and the scent of cinnamon lingering in the air, I am filled with gratitude. I love  this time of year—the anticipation of gatherin

Grants 101: Time to Recalibrate — Why Your Grant Narrative Must Evolve The grant-writing arena has changed. What worked even two years ago may no longer resonate today. Funders are refining their priorities, focusing more on mission alignment, measurable impact, and systemic change  rather than simply providing charity. It’s time to recalibrate  — to rethink how we tell our stories, how we define success, and most importantly, how we connect our mission to the mission of the

The Season of Cycles and Subtle Grace Fall has always been a special time of year for me. The air feels softer, the light more golden, and everything seems to whisper, “Slow down, reflect, and begin again.”  The colors of the season—burnt orange, deep gold, russet, and amber—carry with them a quiet prosperity, reminding us that abundance and endings often arrive hand in hand. This week, I found myself thinking deeply about the cycles of life.  The falling leaves, the cool mor

The grant-writing arena has changed. What worked even two years ago may no longer resonate today. Funders are refining their priorities,...

Faith and Focus This week was an exercise in grounding—faith and focus walking hand in hand. The world feels noisy, full of unpredictable turns, global unease, and moments that challenge one’s sense of peace. I found myself pulled again and again into the storm of current events. But each time, I reminded myself that faith is not blindness—it is balance. Faith steadies us when the outer world trembles. Focus helps us move forward, step by step, through the uncertainty. Toget

The Discipline of Focus This week was a wonderful return—to movement, to mindfulness, and to myself. After days filled with obligations and emotional tides, I finally found the space to reconnect with my physical wellness routine  and inner clarity . But even as I moved in the right direction, the theme that emerged loud and clear was: Distraction. Not the kind that comes with laziness or neglect, but the more deceptive kind—the kind that feels productive  but pulls you away

Theme: Kindness Begins Within This past week, the word kindness  followed me like a gentle whisper. Not the grand, performative kind, but the quiet, restorative kind—especially the kind I so often forget to offer myself. I have always considered myself a kind person. I go out of my way to be thoughtful to others. But this week, I noticed a gap: I am kinder to others than I am to myself. And that realization stopped me in my tracks. In Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Bein

This week has been a whirlwind of political intrigue and a much-needed period of personal refreshment. As the dust settles from the headlines and the world continues to spin, I have found myself more dedicated than ever to taking care of my mental well-being, especially now that I am a year older. I have realized that dwelling on the past and reflecting on all the wrong things only creates more negativity, leading to a profound sense of sadness and apathy . It is an easy trap

As I stand on the cusp of a new decade, preparing to celebrate a milestone birthday, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. I am so thankful to be alive, healthy, and prosperous, surrounded by the love of my family. I've been reflecting on the lessons learned along the way, and I can honestly say that the one I wish I had embraced years ago is the art of living one day at a time. The perpetual race against the clock, worrying about the future, and dwelling on the past only s

This week was a struggle. An issue with my gums persisted far longer than it should have. Despite discomfort and the urgings of my family and a doctor friend, I was determined to wait until September, when my new insurance would kick in. The fear of an unknown cost loomed larger than the physical pain. I imagined a bill of thousands of dollars, a financial burden that seemed insurmountable without insurance. It was only when I could no longer endure the discomfort that I fina

What a week to feel truly alive—free and prosperous in spirit. Once again, it was my grandchildren who taught me the most profound lessons. Their world is filled with educational toys, electronic gadgets, and a whirlwind of creative and athletic activities. My granddaughter, who seems destined for the Olympics, has a particular passion for rock wall climbing. At just six years old, she's already mastering this challenge. Last year, her attempts were met with frustration. But

What an amazing week. It was full of much-needed rest , leaving me with an overall feeling of peace. Amidst this tranquility, a profound moment of insight came to me while watching my granddaughter play a video game. As she created a world and a home for herself, her words were a window into a philosophical lesson. She used the term “biodome” to describe her creations, explaining how her first home in the game had no walls and was full of holes. It was a fragile and exposed p

Some moments feel like they arrive carrying a quiet knock on the soul. A neighbor of mine recently passed away. Within two weeks, her home was buzzing with repair crews, tools, and conversation. The gutters were fixed, the fence was mended, and the garden was trimmed. I could not help but wonder: how many of these repairs had been “someday” plans in her mind? How many things did she want to see done, touch, or enjoy—yet never quite reached the top of her list while she was al

This week I encountered many beautiful reminders that second chances are real—and often transformative. I witnessed individuals who were once counted out rise and flourish when someone simply believed in their ability to change. It made me pause and give thanks for the times I have been given another opportunity to try again, grow, and get it right. Sometimes the timing is off, and the soil is too dry for our seeds to take root. But then—oh, sometimes—the time is just right ,

This week seemed to exude fear  from every corner—news headlines, public discourse, and even private conversations. It was not just the usual background noise; it felt coordinated, visceral, and almost suffocating. I found myself practicing deep breathing several times a day, sometimes just to anchor myself in the moment. Fear is a powerful emotion. It can alert us to danger, yes, but unchecked, it can paralyze and distort. I want to speak to anyone who may be feeling emotion

The last two weeks have felt like an avalanche—issues at work, unexpected disruptions, emotional turbulence. In one word? EXTRA . The kind of “extra” that blurs the lines between what is manageable and what is just too much. In Stephen King’s 11/22/63 , the protagonist refers to “interesting” as a kind of euphemism for EXTRAORDINARY , and not always in a good way. It is a perfect metaphor for what I have been living: days filled with news that is too loud, responsibilities to

What a week. The world feels like it is shifting underfoot—news of war, whispers of sleeper cells, random acts of violence, mass deportations. In the blink of an eye, the familiar feels foreign. And through it all, I found myself leaning hard on the tools that keep me centered: affirmations, resilience meditations, and grace. Still, even with all that support, something felt off. My memory was foggy, my thoughts disjointed. I could feel the stress clenching my mind. That was

This past week was saturated with uncertainty. So often I found myself asking aloud, “What is going on?”  The world seemed to unravel—political power plays, mass protests, the show of militarized force, and the unrelenting noise of conflict. I could not predict the future, nor control how others might behave. I could only manage my inner world: my thoughts, my actions, my peace of mind. I turned inward. I walked. I brewed tea with quiet reverence. I journaled. I read. I remem