Essence Blog

I jokingly posted on Facebook about what I thought was a rare, unifying opinion in these divisive times: the collective dread of changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

Turns out, I was wrong.😆

While I’m not a fan of losing an hour and having my internal clock and sleep cycle thrown off ⏰, some of my friends actually love the time change! As they shared why—more evening light, especially for those in the north—I could absolutely see their perspective. It was a great reminder that differ...

Last week, I spent four days in a beautiful mountain cabin—a big treat for this flatland Florida girl! It was a special trip to celebrate my friend Heather’s 50th birthday, and I had the honor of leading a collaborative birthday ritual. As each woman shared memories, blessings, and words of love, we created a sister circle that reminded me just how precious friendships are.

I was also inspired to reach out to my friend Jim and reminisce about a great memory we shared in 2016. Both experiences—h...

When I most need to return to my mindful, spiritual, or reflective practices is exactly when I forget they exist. Like self-development amnesia or spiritual practice resistance. Did I just invent a new syndrome to stress over? Welcome to my brain. 🤣 I’m kidding.

Seriously though, if you've fallen out of a practice or habit that you know nourishes you—especially in difficult times—give yourself some grace. It happens for many reasons.

Maybe life responsibilities have piled up, leaving you...

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society"-Jiddu Krishnamurti

On January 20th, I woke up with vertigo. The world was spinning, and I felt completely out of control—the metaphor wasn't lost on me.

The state of our world can feel just as disorienting. We live within systems built for profit, power, and control—often at the expense of the well-being of people and the planet. We're told there are only two sides, each vilifying the other. But what if ther...

On February 1st (Imbolc) 🌿, I turned 50. For months, I wasn’t looking forward to it. Not because of the number, but because I wasn’t sure how to celebrate it. It’s an important milestone, and I felt like it needed to be celebrated in a big or special way. But all I felt was pressure to decide. I made a list of possibilities, but none of them made it beyond the idea stage.

The truth was that I was really exhausted. October through January didn’t include the rest I needed, and as February approac...

For the past two Thursdays, I have tried to write an email to you about what I was feeling and thinking about the world right now. I couldn’t get the words right.

It’s ok. They will come.

But what I do know is that focusing on keeping ourselves cared for and grounded 🌿—and then extending that care into our communities, both local and online—is more important than ever. One of the ways I personally stay grounded is through reflection and ritual, which brings me to this special Friday email.

As...

 The past few months have been a lot- from a packed work schedule to lots of responsibility and some hard emotional things.  Frankly, I'm nine days into the new year and feel behind, overwhelmed, and depleted. Even after two weeks without client sessions, I didn’t get the time off to recharge as intended.  I was feeling a little cranky about it.

Also, Ethan just left to return to college early to celebrate his 21st birthday tomorrow (🎉), and I'm aware that my own milestone 50th is just 22 d...

Welcome to 2025! How are you feeling? As I write this, I'm still in 2024, soaking in the reflection and releasing the past year.

I've been working on my own Reflection Ritual, and I hope you find a moment to look back on the highlights, challenges, and lessons of 2024. While, I'm still processing the challenges and lessons, it was uplifting for me to remember this year's highlights.

✨ Highlights of 2024:

• We celebrated my husband’s 50th and took an unforgettable trip to Paris.
• Family adven...

As the holiday whirlwind settles, I know some of you may be feeling like me- a sense of depletion -physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And even if you’re not, winter has wisdom for us. ❄️  

During the Winter Solstice ritual I led for the Reflection Ritual, I spoke about how winter asks us to release not just the year itself but also the old fears, beliefs, and identities we've outgrown. 🌱 Winter is a time of death and a sacred pause before rebirth. In this in-between time, we wait and res...

This week, I’m sharing some of my favorite things with extra items in the product section since so much is on sale this week. I'm sending lots of love your way this week.

This Poem: 

These Podcast Episodes: 

Unlocking Us: Brené Brown with Dr. Mary Claire Haver on the New Menopause

For the Love: Jen Hatmaker interviews Tim Shriver on Building Bridges

This Recipe: 

Thai Red Curry Chicken: I also make this with red lentils!

✨This Holiday Tradition ✨
The Reflection Ritual is back!

It...