How to write a gratitude list that tells the whole truth—the good, the hard, and the still-becoming. Steps, real examples, and a free 7-day guide.
Category: Essay
On Rebellious Gratitude
Each day as I inventoried my gratitude and discomfort, and growth, I found more and more evidence of the abundance, joy, and peace that I longed for in my life.
The Offering
Just write—like all the others who ever have and ever will—who commune with the source of their souls through the gift of language and letter and raw unfiltered honesty.
Puzzling Thoughts
Beneath my automatic sifting, I felt anxious and worried. I was thinking that I must be missing the mark with multiple ambitions and dreams…I want certain parts of my life to be more put together…
3 Most Important Questions
Instead of only asking, Who do I want to become? What do I want to experience someday? We begin practicing the feeling of those answers immediately.
Round Table of Selves
A journaling practice with my past + future selves...
Obstreperous truths of my beautifully bombarded life
2. Something simple and easy and opening in the essence of today—another Spring equinox to witness and love.
Dress Up, Ask Questions, Begin Again
She took her work very seriously. Which is to say…she played.
Burning Sensations
“Do you ever have the compulsion to make a big pile of your old self, burn it all down, and start over?”
Delightful
Behind every great victory, every world-changing revolution, every life-altering decision, or impactful project, there’s usually a quiet moment when someone, somewhere, decided to follow their delight. When you get a visceral urge to start a book club, call a friend, explore new territory, enter a competition, or contact a complete stranger whose work has touched … Continue reading Delightful
The “No—But This” List
✧ No more comparing myself to others - I live by the means of my own passion and power and unique offerings. ✧ No more forcing (fast) solutions - I delight in slow deliberate growth. ✧ No more waiting to fill my tank until it’s empty - I keep my cup full so I can … Continue reading The “No—But This” List
RITUAL: Tree of Purpose
There is an ancient story about Honi, known as the Circle Maker. One day, he saw a man planting a carob tree and asked him how long it would take to bear fruit. The man replied that it would take seventy years. Honi asked, “Are you certain you will live seventy years to eat from … Continue reading RITUAL: Tree of Purpose
Irrational Right-of-Ways
*** If you would prefer to listen to this post click here for a 7 min podcast. Once upon a time I returned from a month long vacation in S.E Asia with an absolute obsession to become an ESL tutor. I had zero experience in this line of work so I found a local school, … Continue reading Irrational Right-of-Ways
More Than Enough
A green porta-potty glimmers in the sunshine assuring me that the relief I need has been made available by an abundant and kind Universe. Here I am at a park that I rarely go to. I got here by taking routes I would not normally take. I’m practicing neurographics, a therapeutic drawing method normally done on paper. … Continue reading More Than Enough
Try the opposite
There’s an ancient Yoga sutra that goes: “When disturbed by negative thoughts, cultivate the opposite mental attitude.” This works for opposite energy (and actions) too. This practice is called Pratipaksha bhavanam—Cultivate the opposite. Good advice for so many situations in life in which we are seeking balance. When you’re feeling stagnant, stuck, blocked. Do the … Continue reading Try the opposite
50 Ways to Celebrate Progress & Goals
Make a list of 50 things to celebrate along the way to reaching your goal. Print it out and post it on your fridge and look at it every day. And when you achieve something on the list, you celebrate! Because acknowledgment and appreciation of our progress reinforces our willingness and determination to keep driving … Continue reading 50 Ways to Celebrate Progress & Goals
Start where you are with what you have.
Eric was driving around aimlessly trying to shake off his anxiety. It was April 2020 the quarantine hunker-down mandate was in effect. Eric was restless and lonely. He drove through (what seemed like the ghost town) of Orient Ohio. His discomfort was rising, he was going through an internal hell and could find no place … Continue reading Start where you are with what you have.
Sometimes the Unthinkable Happens
Date: September 2003, I am a freshman in High school.Location: Vogelweh Bowling Center, Kaiserslautern, GermanyTime: Lunch period. I had never seen anything like it. At first glance, it appeared to be just a glass box sitting on top of a soda dispenser. It had an elegant glass door with a little silver handle that gave … Continue reading Sometimes the Unthinkable Happens
Do this the day before Valentine’s Day
Did you know that Feb 13 is another national love-based holiday? Natural day or Self-love Day is celebrated around the world as a day to take a closer look at your most important relationship―the one you have with yourself... One day a 7th-grade girl named Sanah Jivani woke up and found almost all of her … Continue reading Do this the day before Valentine’s Day
The Seasons Within You
BIG NEWS!This year I published my first book, The Seasons Within You!!! For 5 years I have been developing this guidebook / journal and I am so pleased to have finally made my dream a reality!About The Seasons Within You: A woman's womb cycle consists of four phases. Each of these phases takes on its own energy … Continue reading The Seasons Within You
A (Name)storming Guide—for naming your new service, business, product, tool, or experience!
You’ve got a great idea, you made a cool thing—a new service, business, product, tool, or experience! Cool! Now you need a name for it. Here are my 7 best practices to help you narrow down your perfect name. With lots of real-life examples to inspire your process. Here we go… 1 - What exactly … Continue reading A (Name)storming Guide—for naming your new service, business, product, tool, or experience!
The Ultimate Formula for Asking for What You Need
I don’t remember how old I was or how I first learned the ultimate formula for asking, but I had to have been pretty young. I remember the paper tapped to the wall next to my bed with my gratefully proclaimed desires written in large awkward handwriting. And a handful of Good & Plenty candies … Continue reading The Ultimate Formula for Asking for What You Need
Back-to-Basics pillars for your mental health
In 1949 Mental Health Awareness month was born in the United States. The Mental Health America organization chose May to be a month dedicated to focusing on this hugely important aspect of health and wellness. After all our mental wellness determines our ability to be healthy in our bodies, present and connected in our relationships, … Continue reading Back-to-Basics pillars for your mental health
Journaling is like a serenity vitamin
Something really special has happened the last few evenings. My kids and I have discovered a new evening ritual. We call it Journal Time. Normally the time after dinner and before bed is designated for quiet time. We’ll play cards, listen to soothing music, read books, sip hot tea, or as of late, just sit … Continue reading Journaling is like a serenity vitamin
Body of Light
The last few days my mind has been tripping over all kinds of things. Searching. Taste-testing. Falling from heights I did not realize were inside of me. Then I remember – The simple but often forgotten practice of rediscovering my body. It’s a slow, patient, process that I don’t always believe there is time for. … Continue reading Body of Light
On diligence, dreams, + doing what you damn well please.
When Andrew was a little boy his mother gave him a six-string guitar. He didn’t know how to play it, and nobody was able to teach him, so he slid it under his bed and went about his business. But all he wanted to do was sing and play that guitar. One night, he had … Continue reading On diligence, dreams, + doing what you damn well please.
[True Story] Collecting all the pieces
When I was 15 I lived in Florida. And I was miserably obsessed with Alaska. I’d lived in Alaska from age 11-14 and in that short period of time I’d seen places so beautiful they made my eyes not want to blink. I had adventures that made my heart feel like a happy wild horse. … Continue reading [True Story] Collecting all the pieces
[True Story] Don’t leave without your morsel.
3rd pause on the audiobook in 20 mins. I hesitate to press play. I am triggered. Reactive. Annoyed. The author has perspectives I do not align with. Their moralistic judgments, opinions, voice even, are making me gag a little. Ok...ok, I say to myself, don’t forgot why you are here. Regardless of their personal beliefs … Continue reading [True Story] Don’t leave without your morsel.
Trust that it’s enough.
Last night I curled up in my bed and cried into my pillows until I was too tired to think. Life felt hard, overwhelming, my day was a carnival ride of first-timer mistakes and unknowns. I spent hours riding highs and lows. Wheel-spinning, head-banging, minutes fumbling my way through new assignments. Researching, writing, pacing, long-staring … Continue reading Trust that it’s enough.
[Journaling] Time. Energy. Clarity. Peace.
Have you made an Energy Audit list lately? If you’re feeling depleted, disconnected, or resentful — then an Energy Audit list can help. You’ll discover what is leaching your energy, what patterns or obligations are no longer serving you. You’ll also clarify what types of activities, interactions, and habits support your finite energy and nurture … Continue reading [Journaling] Time. Energy. Clarity. Peace.
Ways to say stuff when words fail
I love words. And yet sometimes I fail with them. Sometimes I struggle for the language to express my feelings or needs. Other times I'm sure I’ve got the words right but the person I’m trying to communicate with is unable to hear them. Their mind is reeling or their emotions are raging and there … Continue reading Ways to say stuff when words fail
[Comical] Remorseful
I saw it drop down from the roof of the car into the open driver side window I held my breath, I hoped you wouldn’t notice it. You pulled into the suicide lane A car pulled up behind you. Then you saw the spider. You did not go. You began to blow at it. You … Continue reading [Comical] Remorseful
[True Story] Publish it anyway
I wrote this debut article (below) for the Northern Light Newspaper 8 years ago. My job was to write a little opinion column series entitled Take Five. I was excited to finally have an opportunity to write a column! And I was terrified. I was ready! And I was not ready… The 5 B’s of … Continue reading [True Story] Publish it anyway
[True Story] Have you tried an exploratory jaunt?
Ahh… The smell of mud, the sound of boots treading the earth, the magical shinny world that lives in the mirror of a puddle. But first…. You should know that usually when I start out on a walk, my back is a bit tense, my mind is muddled with brain noise and questions. "How will … Continue reading [True Story] Have you tried an exploratory jaunt?
[Journaling] How to make a Brain-Hush list
For when you need a starting point but you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or distracted. Our minds can sometimes act like a merry-go-round of random thoughts, questions, important information, and reminders. And somewhere under all the noise and excitement is that inner knowing—of what we need to know right now, what is most beneficial for our … Continue reading [Journaling] How to make a Brain-Hush list
This Tenacity
Nature’s tenacity, though disruptive at times, is also truly life-giving. A strong pulsed continuum. This morning I lay in bed too long and watched reluctance drag at the feet of my tired spirit. I want to stay where I am. Not go back to the wakeful world, not back to an uncertain reality. Then I … Continue reading This Tenacity
[Journaling] Manifestation Maps
What’s the next way you want to feel? What pieces, people, and possibilities are involved? What if you had a Manifestation Map that helped you know, remember, do, and have this feeling you desire, this thing you crave? Make a Manifestation Map - a list that clarifies and leads you towards your deepest desires. Most … Continue reading [Journaling] Manifestation Maps
Cats + Self-Empowerment (memes)
Meow! If you love cats and self empowerment. Steal these memes and share them, make them your screen savor, add them to your vision board, draw a replica for an art project, start a catalution! I meme you, Kenzie
Delight in slow deliberate growth.
Don’t force it.Just enjoy the build up.So it’s slow.Let it be slow.Let your breath and limbs relish in its tension.Let trust envelop the philosophers in your mind.Let it wax.Let it wane too.It will come back around. Press into it.Appreciate its pulp.The sweet elusive magic of its essence.Explore its subtle edges.That bleed like water-color into the … Continue reading Delight in slow deliberate growth.
Because I want to
I Know contentment.Reverence.Wonder. I Know the powerof my varied corners and sides.I Know they are just right.They are serving me. I Know patience.I Know its waves of anticipationalso, its warm incubation. I Know my Source.It’s endless flowing essence. Its assurance, it’s ability, and delight. I know. Because I want to. Ps. Here's a similar piece … Continue reading Because I want to
When it’s hard
Sometimes I wish I were different already.That I could untie the knots in my mind, on demand.Make my limbs reach more readily for the love that I crave. But there’s this ravine it seems, between me and the creature I wish to be.There’s some big long journey involved? ...Or is there?Is that just an excuse, … Continue reading When it’s hard
Journaling is Like a Superpower.
Something really special has happened the last few evenings. My kids and I have discovered a new evening ritual. We call it Journal Time. Normally the time after dinner and before bed is designated for quiet time. We'll play cards, listen to stories, read books, sip hot tea, or as of late, just sit in … Continue reading Journaling is Like a Superpower.
[Comical] 5 Ways to be Sick Without Grossing Everyone Out
Let’s just dive right in today, because I’m sick and have less energy to write a creative introduction on being a sick person, who feels gross and more importantly looks gross. Attempt to get better, don’t just whine about being sick. Attempt to get better as soon as you notice your symptoms and don’t just … Continue reading [Comical] 5 Ways to be Sick Without Grossing Everyone Out
5 Ways to Wake up Without Caffeine
We all have to get up sometime. Some days it’s easier than others. We wake up we stumble through the house like Zombies to the shrine our coffee pot lives on or the instant water heater and stacks of black tea. The caffeine kiss bringing us back to life like “true-loves “ lips. Then there … Continue reading 5 Ways to Wake up Without Caffeine
5 Ways to End an Argument
We all know those people that just love to argue, love to get heated and "get their feelings hurt". I might sound insensitive, but no! The insensitive thing would be to ignore that these people exist and that their feelings matter. First of all, if you find yourself in a situation with this sort of … Continue reading 5 Ways to End an Argument
5 Ways to Enjoy a Red Light
The world is in such a hurry these days. In a society running on Starbucks and work deadlines, it is tough sometimes not to get caught up in the “go, go, go” of every-day-life. I think that red lights have been the bad guys for too long. I think red lights and stop signs and … Continue reading 5 Ways to Enjoy a Red Light
5 Secrets of Bad Days
There is a blue sky shinning outside your window, a fresh cup of coffee in your hand, you’re off to a routine day at a job that may not be great but is however great to have, especially in these times of economic instability. There are really no real problems in your life, yet there … Continue reading 5 Secrets of Bad Days
The 5 B’s of Doing-ness
#1 Beginning- I have to admit it is kind of intimidating staring at the blinking curser as it prods almost intrusively at my skill and ability to write. I just dive in. It seems characteristic of me, like jumping off the roof when I was 12, into the make shift snow mound. Now, just … Continue reading The 5 B’s of Doing-ness
