Yesterday was a full moon in Sagittarius bringing energy to help us reassess the big picture of how we want to go forward and confirming that it is in alignment with our values. This may apply to goals we have as individuals, families, businesses, communities, etc. As we watch unprecedented events unfold across the country, it applies to our cultural and societal values as a whole as well. Exploring how our values fit into the bigger picture and what actions we can take to further those values is essential in these turbulent times.

As I read the monthly forecast from The Power Path I was stunned at how relevant its message is even in these first few days of the month. The theme for June is courage with a focus on how we face and respond to the challenges in our lives by tapping into our own courage. In multiple conversations this week people have shared the changes and challenges they are experiencing. In each I have been honored to witness the courage displayed in their responses. Acting courageously is typically not easy, but often comes from a sense of inner knowing of the rightness of our actions. Courage requires us to face and overcome our fears and allows us to take the next steps in our growth as human beings. May we each tap into our own courage and cheer on the courage of others.

Many of you know that my summers are spent paddle boarding as much as possible. Today was my first opportunity on the water this summer and on a new board as well. When I arrived at the reservoir the water was calm and still, a rare gift, and moving through the water was effortless and peaceful. As I turned around I took in the view of the Front Range that never fails to bring a sense of joy and awe. I was filled with so much gratitude for the privilege of living in this beautiful state and the ability and time to enjoy it. I hope you find something today that fills you with joy, awe, and gratitude as well.

I had the pleasure this week to spend time with my great niece and nephew and was reminded, again, of the wonder and joy of seeing the world through the eyes of children. In a world of continuing difficult news tuning into the joy of discovering a roly poly, planting seeds, catching bubbles, and knocking down dominos provided a needed reset. Tapping into our own inner child and capturing the small joys of daily life will help us all to weather this ongoing storm.

Today has required gentleness in a multitude of unexpected ways. Gentleness with myself when my plans went awry. Gentleness with a dear friend who experienced a sudden loss of a beloved pet. Gentleness with children exploring the singing bowls I was sharing with them. Gentleness with the environment when it made an afternoon event chilly and windy. In each situation I was reminded that a gentle response is a conscious choice and that practicing gentleness with myself is the foundation for my ability to be gentle with others. The quote above emphasizes that gentleness is a strength that we wield with compassion. Gentleness benefits us as well as the world and the people around us.

As we approach Mother’s Day this Sunday and a Scorpio Full Moon on Monday, we may experience some unsettling energy. Relationships with our mothers are ideally loving and supportive, yet that is not always the case. Societal expectations often prevent us from acknowledging for ourselves and validating for others that the mother-child relationship experienced may not have met our needs. I truly believe that all mothers do the best they can in the moment and I also truly believe that it often not enough or far off the mark.

Happy May Day & Beltane! We are at the midway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. The natural world is demonstrating the benefits of winter hibernation and germination with the spring bulbs blooming and the trees flowering. In our lives we can also see the sprouts and blooms of our own efforts and inspiration. As we move into the month of May we are boosted by the energy of forward movement and opportunities, bringing our dreams and desires into the first steps of fruition. You can read more about the astrological energies of the month at Forever Conscious or The Power Path.

I am feeling grateful this evening as I sit in the quiet of this weekend’s retreat house, watching the sunset and listening to the breeze through the trees. The opportunity to slow down and rest in nature in such a gift. So much of the space is ordinary…a house, trees, clouds, sky… and yet, when I slow down and turn off the noise of the world I am able to take in the wonder of it. We don’t have to go away anywhere to find wonder in the world, but doing so is often the reminder we need to remember we each have the power to choose where we place our attention and to become our own safe place by doing so.

As we reach mid-April the energy of forward momentum is increasing, allowing us to release the past and step out into new adventures. It is a wonderful time to look within to explore a little deeper what we want to nurture and cultivate within our lives. From a small habit shift to taking a long awaited leap, now is an opportune time to gather our courage and move forward.

I have spent a good deal of the past few months protecting myself from the political chaos by keeping my brain busy through various means. I recently realized that in doing so I have disconnected from the benefits of stillness and silence. While this was originally a useful protective measure, it has become a hindrance to my connection with both myself and nature.

As the Aries New Moon Solar Eclipse approaches we are coming to the conclusion of an eclipse cycle that started in April 2023. It is a time to reflect on what has shifted in these last two years, what has come into alignment, what and who have we released. As I reflect I realize that two years ago I began my journey into sound healing as well as to closing out my career with Aurora Public Schools. These steps and events among others have created the opportunity for this next chapter in my life to unfold. Letting go of the familiar can be scary, but it also creates space for a multitude of possibilities we have yet to imagine. Tuning into our own body’s wisdom through movement, reflection, and rest allows those possibilities to arise.

As I reflect on today’s equinox and consider what to write about it, I determined that sharing this Equinox Update from The Power Path was the best course.

“An Equinox is always a good time to visit your intentions and see what needs to come to completion before embarking on something new. This equinox, as it falls in the window between 2 eclipses, is especially supportive of completing ancestral and personal past life karmic patterns.  It is a good idea to be available for whatever healing needs to take place during this time. 

There is great energy for being inspired by what is, and what can be, a new experience and direction. Work with beauty and gratitude to keep your vibration high. It is easy to fall into despair especially when faced with karmic debris both personal and collective. However it is very important during these times to come from the heart with compassion, hope, and resiliency. Do something that inspires you and helps you feel grounded and purposeful.” ~ Lena Stevens

On March 1 Venus moved into retrograde creating space and energy for deep reflection and healing of old wounds. Often we carry wounds of not feeling like we are enough or able to live up to the expectations of others. This time of reflection is an opportunity to honor ourselves for who we are in each moment. Remembering that just as the ocean ebbs and flows, so does our energy, our regulation, our ability to manage the challenges of our daily lives. Offering ourselves the grace and compassion to allow ourselves to show up as we are in the moment is a practice and a gift essential to our wellbeing.

As we continue to ride the waves of chaos across the country many of us are feeling overwhelmed and dysregulated. Under stress our bodies tend to shift in to shallow chest breathing, which in turn keeps us in heightened state of alarm. Regularly returning to deeper belly breathing throughout the day allows us to engage our parasympathetic nervous system and its relaxation response. Setting a reminder on a computer or watch is an easy way to remind ourselves to pause and take a few slow deep breaths. Intentionally building a few minutes of breathing practice into our morning and evening routines is also helpful. Breathing practices such as the 4 part breath and extended exhale are easy to learn and use whenever needed.

I have been thinking a lot today about remembering to be kind to ourselves in moments of difficulty. Most of us are harder on ourselves than we are on others. Being kind to ourselves is a way to refill our own cup and rewrite the messages we have internalized from the outside world. When we are compassionate with ourselves, we can in turn offer compassion more easily to others.

Yesterday’s full moon energy has had an interesting ungrounding affect on me. I have found myself missing steps in activities that I normally do by rote and have had to be more consciously mindful to make sure I am actually doing what I need to. It has been a reminder that we often go through our lives on automatic pilot without paying much attention to what we are doing or what is going on around us.

I am grateful to have spent the last week restoring my spirit with the sun, the sea, and family. While we cannot always go away somewhere to restore ourselves, nature wherever we are can bring us back to ourselves and provide a space of grounding and healing. Simply turning our faces to the sun and taking a few deeps breaths can shift our perspective. With so much feeling out of control in our world, these intentional moments of connecting with the natural world are a way to reclaim our time and our well-being.

This week has been heavy and full of grief for me as we endure the hateful speech and behavior of our new administration and those who support it. While not much is unexpected, it is difficult to witness intentional harm being inflicted on people who wish only for safety, justice, and equality. I feel fortunate to have a supportive community to lean on in moments of despair along with their ever present reminders to hold myself with gentleness and the light they shine that strengthens mine. If you are in need of support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to those you trust, including me.

After a warm, sunny day today, winter is showing off her versatility this weekend by dipping us into a deep freeze providing the perfect opportunity for us to soak in the stillness and silence of winter. While I know life does not stand still for cold weather, I encourage you to gift yourself with some time to be still and silent with the weather. Let go of things that can wait for another day and snuggle up with a cozy blanket, a warm beverage, and a book, movie, nap, or all three!

I am a bit overwhelmed this week as I watch the fires in L.A. and worry for the safety of family in the area. When disaster impacts us personally, we feel it more intensely. Yet, even when we don’t have that personal connection we are all still impacted in some way through the interconnectedness of our existence. There are so many difficult, challenging, and even horrific things happening around the globe that we can feel overwhelmed and helpless. We may not be able to solve the problems across the world, but we can do the good in front of us, taking smalls actions to make a difference.