Its Feburary. We just finished up reading week. A break created as it is known to be one of the most challenging times of the year. I thought today we could talk about the magic of feeling like the whole world is on your shoulders.

Life can be full of challenges and dark moments. But let me tell you, without those struggles, I wouldn’t appreciate the life I have today; a life filled with love and connection. I am so thankful to be where I am, But I have had many moments along the way where I have felt the agony of feeling alone. The agony of not knowing when the light will return. It is true that the only way out is through. I have found ways to infuse my life with transformation and now that agony is far and few between. (Knock on wood.) If I can transform pain into beauty through emotional alchemy, so can you. Now I have found magic in the every day I know every moment of it was worth it.

The dance of personal and spiritual growth is full of paradox. We often find ourselves twirling through the realms of loss and expansion.

Learning how to set strong boundries with myself and also others was transformitive. Secondly tuning into the circular nature of things, the sacredness of cycles and the divine. Understanding when where how and why to protect our energies is a powerful kind of magic.

If I ever need help reminding myself that we are part of the universe, and what that truly means, oe of my favorite internet places to go is NASA Gallery of hubble telescope imagery. Its incrediable and suddenly my woes are humbled into reverence.

When boundry setting, its my experience that people struggle the most at sticking to those boundaries. Boundaries mean you may have to be ok with loosing the idea of a person. It’s common to feel bittersweet as we detach from close connections. People don’t like change. But it is important to edit your life and your company regularly. We are social animals. Tribal animals. Who you surround yourself with matters, and in my opinion ensuring the health of your connections to others is one of the most important keys to joy. It can be a harsh symphony to navigate.

We all have the chance to grow and become our best selves. Learning to turn our mindset around can be tough work. It can mean difficult choices. It can mean dedication to examining a self that is unknown to us. To succeed in our development, we must welcome criticism. Know it not as a destructive force, but tool that refines us.

When I feel myself getting dysregulated, I have taken to giving myself little mantras. “Take a deep breath” “I am here now, I am OK” “what is it in me that is disturbed by this” and my favorite of late “remember, its fun” The battle is within is sacred. It is inside ourselves that we face our deepest fears and find that they are stepping stones to a greater self. In the end it is all temporary. It is our lifes work to do what ever we see fit with the time we are given, In the end we will return to the void.

I always loved that movie “I love Huckabees” A little postmodern Gem. It explains so eloquently in This Video how and why our energy temporary and also part of the devine.

I love a quick guided meditation to bring me back to the here and now, I have learned that one of the most powerful tools that we carry with us our breath. The way we breath can be everything. Here is one of my favorite breathing exercises for a quick boost.. honestly It makes you feel incredible and takes only minutes.

As we navigate our own mind, we find strength. We also find the power to turn our deepest inspirations into reality.

Growth and loss are a working harmony. They are a kind of soul felt melody. We become alchemists of our own destiny. Embrace change. Focus on the self you hope to embody. Every setback becomes a step towards our best self.

Sending you much love and as we navigate this thing we call life.

Best,

Fran