Presence

Despite knowing that staying present will bring us relief, most of us find ourselves living in the past or the future.  For you see, so much about life in our culture right now has become about the next thing. The next project. The next promotion. The next social media post. The next experience. We’ve become obsessed with growth as it pertains to results, achievement, and living a successful life, so we completely ignore the power of remaining present. In truth, we’ve forgotten how to be here… now. We've forgotten about being present. Today, even if it seems like a "no-brainer", set your intentions to remain in the present moment. Where you are right now may not be perfect. It may not be ideal. But it is your reality. And if we don’t start with reality, if you can’t handle this moment with grace, you have no real hope for the future. So today, challenge yourself every minute to become aware of where you are. Today, know that if you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is, and that is in truth the only thing that is real. Today, remember there is only one important time, and it is now! The present moment is the only time when we have any power. Today, choose to live in this present moment and choose to be at peace!

Just for today, I recognize that my point of power is in this present moment. I am powerful because I live in the present moment. I surrender to what is. I let go of what was, and I have faith in what will be. And so it is.

Annual reminder-being passive aggressive gets you nowhere.

Every year around my birthday I hear from an old friend whose modus operandi is totally passive aggressive. Every year, she texts me a birthday message which is always filled with passive aggressive language, letting me know how hurt she feels because we no longer connect, except for her passive aggressive birthday wish, every year. And, every year I come to the same conclusion. Whether it is me using passive aggressive behavior another person using it on me, there is no winning being passive-aggressive or dealing with other people being passive-aggressive. Behind passive-aggression lies a valley filled to the brim with anger and hostility. My friend of course likes to play the “good guy”, always making me the bad guy for our failed friendship. And, when the valley can no longer support all the pent-up negativity, it will come out in a furious outburst that can leave the people around you dazed and confused.  So, this year, instead of filling myself up with remorse, I plan to set my intentions to beware of and to stop being passive aggressive. Today, the Universe wants you and I to feel our feelings and know we deserve to express them in healthy, assertive ways. Today,  choose to be direct rather than indirect. Choose to express your needs, wants, and feelings clearly so that others know how to meet your needs. Today, consciously set your intentions to stop using passive aggression to get what you want. You may lose some friends by finally being direct and speaking your truth because people have gotten used to the people-pleasing you. However, it will be worth it. If you’re engaging in passive-aggressive behavior, it’s time to have the courage to confront yourself, because what lies on the other side is infinite possibility. Today, don’t let the fear of people's thoughts and opinions stop you from speaking your mind. Speak up today, you deserve to be heard!

Just for today, I have the power to speak my truth. I have the courage to ask for what I want.  I am worthy of all that is good. And so it is.

Open your heart

August brings us lots of cosmic activity, and today is no exception. Today, Venus leaves Gemini and enters Cancer, where she is going to remain until August 25. During her transit through Cancer, Venus offers us an invitation to open our hearts and dare to soften in the places we have hardened as a way to protect ourselves, something we all could use right now!  While Venus is in Cancer, we are encouraged to invest in what nourishes us and nurture the people we are sure are safe to trust. Venus invites us to soften in the places where we have built protective walls around our hearts to prevent ourselves from being hurt again.  Today, use the powerful energy of Venus Conjunct Cancer to help pry open your heart even if all you want to do is keep it closed and keep protected.  Today, allow the energy of Venus to help you heal your wounds, which keep you emotionally frozen or stuck in the past in some way.  Today, if triggered, stop yourself from closing off your heart and using old, worn-out defense mechanisms to protect yourself. Instead, see if you can stop, open your heart, and have compassion for yourself or the person. Today, allow yourself to go beyond just surviving into thriving by opening your heart and allowing it to heal.

Just for today, I allow my heart to open and speak with words of love. I am lovable. I am loving and I am loved and I trust that everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is. 

Mercury goes direct 2025

Today, Mercury, the planet of communication, stations direct after being in retrograde since July 18th, allowing us to move forward without the heavy weight pulling us backward. This retrograde was no joke, as it pulled away at all the layers of our being and our relationships. By shedding light on our relationship dynamics, it exposed what (or who) we are no longer willing to move forward with.  As we continue to sink deeper into our power, we will attract only those who are willing to match our inner fire. We will attract only that which is in alignment with who we are right now. Today, as Mercury stations direct, set your intentions to allow yourself to integrate the harsh lessons that you may have been given. Set your intentions to let go of what or who you were shown that no longer serve any purpose in your life. Set your intentions to take it easy for the next week as you recover from the challenges you experienced. And set your intentions to not give in to self-pity or sentimentality about your past relationships. Today, accept where you are right now and trust that your challenges will move you forward on your journey.

Just for today, I am willing to learn my lessons. I am willing to change. I monitor my self-talk, making sure that it is positive and uplifting to myself and others.  I trust, even though it is hard, that everything will work out for my highest good. And so it is. 

It's okay to not be okay

This is a reminder that you don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared, or anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a ‘negative person.’ It makes you human. So, today, set your intentions to be okay with not being okay, for a bit. It’s okay to cry for your losses. It’s okay to mourn the dreams that didn’t pan out. It’s okay to hurt and not have things figured out. For you see, through the events in our lives, good and bad, we learn who we are and what makes us tick. It’s not about creating a happily ever after—it’s about taking it one step at a time and accepting that we’ll go through times when we won’t feel happy. It's about accepting that joy cannot always be our constant state of being and feeling sad does not make you a negative or bad person. Today, set your intentions to accept where you are right now, even if you really don't like it.  Set your intentions to accept today and know that things will change even if they aren't changing fast enough for you. Today, choose to be patient in the present. Today, choose to get to know and express your full, perfectly imperfect self!

Just for today, I acknowledge that healing is accepting all parts of myself, not just the ones I like. I surrender to what is. I let go of what was and I have faith in what will be. And so it is. 

The Lion's Gate Portal 2025

Today, we will experience what is called the "Lion's Gate", when the star Sirius aligns with the Sun in Leo, which is believed to be an auspicious time to make our dreams come true. The cosmic event is believed to be an excellent time for manifesting, as the star Sirius is considered to be extremely lucky. In astrology, manifesting is all about making your visions a reality through affirmations or by setting intentions. This year, the Lion's Gate Portal will be unique as it will reach its pinnacle on Aug. 8 (88), a day of abundance and ripe for manifesting. And, it falls on the day before our monthly full moon. This alignment offers us a lot of opportunities to create the world we want to live in and make our dreams come true. So, today, set your intentions to stop fighting, wondering, worrying, and suffering and instead allow the Lion's Gate energy to help you to rise above your current uncertainties and fears.  Allow the energies to help you see beyond your current situation and allow yourself to begin to create a whole new way of being.  Allow the Lion's Gate to help you heal your heart. For you see, the Lion's Gate portal activates the heart chakra; therefore, old or even current wounds of the heart may rise up for healing. This Lion's Gate offers us the opportunity to finally feel free from any grief or sadness that has burdened our hearts. Today, allow the energy of the Lion's Gate to help you heal your heart, expand your spiritual wisdom, and help you awaken to your true potential.  Allow its energies to help you turn the page and begin a new chapter. 

Just for today, I am willing to see myself and my life in a whole new way. I am willing to let go of who I was to become someone new. I am willing to change, and out of this situation, only good will come, and so it is. 

Anger alert!

Yesterday, Mars, the god of war, moved into a new sign, and when that big gaseous planet moves, we usually feel its movement in the form of anger and irritation.  But most of us have been told that anger needs to be controlled or suppressed, and that it’s a negative emotion, leaving us mired in frustration and rage as we try to manage it. However,  anger can be the most honorable emotion you have, if you know what it is, why it appears, and how to work with it. For you see, anger comes from within you, and its job is to help you set and maintain effective boundaries around the things and ideas you value. At its core, anger is a reminder to set emotional boundaries. Boundaries define what's yours and what's not - your responsibilities, your control, your emotions. When we feel angry, it's often because we perceive a boundary violation. So today, set your intentions to get to know what's behind your anger. Do not avoid it, and do not use it as a weapon. Instead,  use your anger as a catalyst. Let it inform you, motivate you, but not control you. The goal isn't to become anger-free. It's about becoming anger-wise by listening to it and understanding what it is telling you. Your anger is not your enemy. It's a powerful ally in your journey towards personal growth and healthier relationships. Today, embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide you towards a more authentic and fulfilling life. 

Just for today, I respect my boundaries and I insist others do too. I am a master at setting healthy boundaries that protect my time, energy, creativity and emotional well being. I recognize that the only people who get upset with me setting healthy boundaries are the ones who are benefiting the most from me having none. I am safe. I love, honor, and respect myself. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Pick your battles wisely!

Life teaches us many lessons, but one of the biggest and most important is to learn when to fight and when to walk away. And that's what the Universe wants us to consider today-to choose our battles wisely! In truth, there is great strength in picking your battles, in knowing when to fight and when to back down. It's not giving up; it's preserving your peace. And, some battles are better left unfought. It does not mean you are weak; it means you hold your peace more valuable than driving an argument. It's recognizing that some fights simply aren't worth the emotional toll. Today, when triggered or challenged, pause and discern whether it's worth fighting for. Life is far too short to spend arguing every point. There's a time to hold your ground and a time to back off and let things be. By picking and choosing your battles carefully, you save your strength for the big ones that truly make a difference. In the end, life will be more peaceful, relationships stronger, and you'll have increased energy to invest in those activities that are truly important. The battles worth fighting are those that bring us eventually to peace, not those that take us farther away. Today, remember that in silence, we often find the answers we seek, and in walking away, we discover the true path to peace. Just for today, I choose to be at peace rather than be right. I choose to speak my truth with love and understanding. It does not matter what other people say or do. What matters is how I choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. And so it is.Life teaches us many lessons, but one of the biggest and most important is to learn when to fight and when to walk away. And that's what the Universe wants us to consider today-to choose our battles wisely! In truth, there is great strength in picking your battles, in knowing when to fight and when to back down. It's not giving up; it's preserving your peace. And, some battles are better left unfought. It does not mean you are weak; it means you hold your peace more valuable than driving an argument. It's recognizing that some fights simply aren't worth the emotional toll. Today, when triggered or challenged, pause and discern whether it's worth fighting for. Life is far too short to spend arguing every point. There's a time to hold your ground and a time to back off and let things be. By picking and choosing your battles carefully, you save your strength for the big ones that truly make a difference. In the end, life will be more peaceful, relationships stronger, and you'll have increased energy to invest in those activities that are truly important. The battles worth fighting are those that bring us eventually to peace, not those that take us farther away. Today, remember that in silence, we often find the answers we seek, and in walking away, we discover the true path to peace.

Just for today, I choose to be at peace rather than be right. I choose to speak my truth with love and understanding. It does not matter what other people say or do. What matters is how I choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. And so it is.

Celebrate small wins!

In a world that often only celebrates grand achievements, it’s easy to overlook the small victories that pave the way to lasting change. And in truth,  if we want to develop big habits, we must celebrate all the small changes we make along the way! For you see, celebrating our small wins is what wires the new habit into our brain. When we celebrate even the most minor victory, it triggers a release of dopamine. This not only feels rewarding in the moment but also reinforces the behavior on a neurochemical level, helping to embed the new habit into our neural pathways.  So, today set your intentions to not wait for big achievements to celebrate. Today, recognize and celebrate the small wins along the way. These small moments of victory build momentum and keep you motivated. We all want to reach the top of the mountain and feel that we’ve achieved something. We want to be finished, but that’s never going to happen; our lives are a constant work in progress. Today, whatever you are working toward, and however far you still have to go, take the time to bask in everything you’ve achieved thus far. It doesn’t matter if you are moving fast or slow, only that you keep moving! And the best way to ensure that you keep doing that is to cherish each step along the way. Today, set your intentions to celebrate what you want to see more of! 

Just for today, I celebrate all my small wins. I am making positive changes in every area of my life. I accept all parts of myself, not just the ones I like. I am safe and out of this situation, only good will come. And so it is. 

Kintsugi-celebrate your imperfections

Life is fragile, and sometimes our lives and dreams are shattered by unexpected events, leaving indelible marks or cracks in our facades. So, the question becomes: How do we find a way towards hope and healing? How do we embrace ourselves with our warts, cracks, and all our damaged parts? Today, you can begin to view your damages in a new light, through the lens of the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi. 

Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery pieces with lacquer mixed with precious metals, such as gold, silver, or platinum. If an object of pottery is broken, rather than discarding it, the pieces are painstakingly put together over months. Instead of trying to hide the damage, the cracks are highlighted in precious metal. For the Japanese, kintsugi is part of a philosophy of embracing our human flaws and life’s fragility. It is about celebrating imperfections. It offers an approach to life. Kintsugi teaches us that in life, we can transform adversity into something beautiful and resilient. Kintsugi shows us that in time, we can heal from our wounds, embrace our imperfections, and become stronger. Kintsugi reminds us that no matter our difficulties, we can find a way to reframe and find meaning in life. When things fall apart in our fragile lives, there is a path forward. There is a way to find peace with our imperfections and our lives. Today, allow yourself to continue to heal and know that you can emerge from your wounds stronger than before and better than new.

Just for today, I love and accept myself, no matter what. I accept all parts of myself. I know that all my mistakes and missteps are only stepping stones on my path forward. My goodness cannot be stopped. I am perfect just the way I am. And so it is. 

The inside creates the outside, always!

Our world is noisy, and there is no other way to describe it. Yet, we’ve become so accustomed to the cacophony of our environment that we have seemingly become immune to noticing how that constant chaos negatively impacts us physically and spiritually. It is that continuous noise that distracts us from the peace that is always available to us, if we clear away the clutter and allow ourselves some quiet time. So, today, consciously create some time alone, detached from your phone or any other screen, so you can begin to find the peace you seek within yourself. Our culture perpetuates trepidation around quiet, often wanting to fill every pause with some sort of sound effect or looping video. Therefore, it’s essential for us, as we pursue a slower lifestyle, to create a space in our lives that is free from distractions. Today, find a way to bring calm and quiet into your life, whether it comes through a daily meditation practice, a walk through the silence of nature, or a peaceful moment spent in bed before you close your eyes to rest. Today, set your intentions to pursue peace with the vigor that you pursue your career or any other goal you have set for yourself.  Today,  allow you to grow in your understanding of what it means to be truly present because that is where you will find the peace you seek.

Just for today, I recognize that peace begins within me.  The more peaceful I am inside the more peace I will find on the outside. The inner creates the outer, always. And so it is.

New Moon in Leo

We have a New Moon in Leo, and it is calling for us all to begin an entirely new chapter in our lives. It is an invitation to stop overcomplicating things. With the Lion as our spirit guide, we’re being called back to simplicity.  But this New Moon isn’t just about fresh starts. It’s about profound truths and bright sparks. It is asking us to stop dimming our lights and stop playing it small.  Adding some heat to this New Moon is Pluto, the planet of transformation, power, and rebirth, which will be active during this New Moon. Pluto doesn’t mess around. It digs deep, bringing up what’s been buried - the feelings you’ve avoided and the power you forgot you had. This tension may feel intense, but it’s clearing the way for a more authentic, radiant you. Today, set your New Moon intentions to stop playing it small. Permit yourself to take up space. To lead with love. To shine without apology. This is a time to come home to yourself—to the version of you that exists beneath all the roles, patterns, and expectations. Today, allow yourself to begin to reset, realign and rebuild. Remember that everything that's falling away is making space for what's meant to last. Today, stop clinging to what once made you happy and powerful. Today, allow the New Moon energy to guide you in becoming reborn.

Just for today, I am willing to begin anew.  I release all that no longer serves me, making room for the new to enter my life. I am willing to change and all my changes are easy to make. And so it is. 

A Leo season like no other!

Today, the Sun moves into the fire sign of Leo, bringing an end to watery Cancer Season. Leo season usually brings some heat, drama but also courage and confidence. However, this Leo season may look very different because of the influence of the major planets that are stationed retrograde right now. No matter what happens during this Leo season, we would all benefit by setting the intention of making self-love the center of our focus. Regardless of the path you take, the most important thing to remember during this Leo season is that you are worthy of respect, kindness, and empathy. Receiving is just as important as giving, and this Leo season is urging us to strive for this balance. Today, begin Leo season by setting your intentions to be kind to yourself and by accepting your intrinsic messy humanness. Don’t overextend yourself too much to make someone else happy. The person in need of TLC is you. When you honor and respect yourself, others will do the same. So, today let the lion infuse you with the strength, resilience, and openness to learn new things about yourself.  Today, let your heart lead you and allow the sign of Leo to show you how to love yourself and your life more.

Just for today, I love myself even when I am not perfect. I love and approve of myself no matter what. I am willing to see where and how I need change and all my changes are easy to make. And so it is.