I was on the phone yesterday with a dear friend. As we discussed recent world events, she wondered out loud, “Where can I move that would be safe, protected from this chaos?”

We both immediately knew the answer.

Within.

“Within where?” you might ask. One of the Scandinavian countries? Australia, New Zealand? Somewhere in the Caribbean?

The safest place for you, me, and everyone we love is much closer than that: within the wisdom of our own heart.

Your best guidance forward, the way to navigate the world events and help consciously evolve our communities, countries and the world will not be found within current government structures. Or in rhetoric created to induce fear. It is always available within the quiet space of your own heart, however.

How do you access it, the wisdom of your inner divine heart? Meditation and spending time in nature are excellent options and here are three more:

• A favorite tool of mine is the free app offered by the Brahma...

I find the most specific guidance, the clearest wisdom and undisputable truths often come through at weird times.

Like when I’m in the shower.

That’s where I was today when I realized I had been wondering how to be more effective in my business. Somewhere between the shampoo and conditioner, I heard it.

“Connect. Inspire. Lead.”

This is a message for all of us:

• Connect – All the wisdom we need to understand our lives, have healthy relationships, and enjoy our time on this beautiful planet ALL comes from our sacred connection to the Divine within. How? Connect in meditation, spend time in nature, listen to sacred music, read inspirational books and be mindful of the ever-present now.
• Inspire – Often when I tell someone they inspire me, their reaction is “Me? What’d I do?” Our society used to think proof of inspiration through influence came from bestselling books, social media “likes” or the size of an email list. Not...

Ever felt like this? Like nothing is going right, you feel out of flow, full of fear and life doesn't make sense?

That's been me the last two months. 

I needed a life reset.

In retrospect, I had allowed myself to be consumed by world events and gone down a very dark hole of fear.

As a result, I wasn't consistent with my spiritual practice or meditations, made poor food choices and started to feel unwell physically. I still took care of my clients and my family responsibilities during this time, but I wasn’t myself. I was “off.”

And then I remembered something my mentor, Robert Holden, often says, “If you think something is missing in your life, it’s probably you.”

Oh, right!

I had temporarily put more emphasis on the external world noise and not as much on the quiet divine wisdom that resides in the silence of my own heart. That’s where my truth lies. Where my guidance, peace, and joy flows from. How could a spiritual teacher forget...

Each February we see a heightened focus on Valentines Day and romantic love. While I’m all for beautiful romantic relationships, I’d love to see the Love Month concentrate on ways to expand love within ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world.

Might sound like a tall order, but not really. Very doable.

How could we “expand love” within ourselves? Here’s a few ideas:

• Spend quiet time in nature. Take a silent walk and use all your senses to truly be in the experience.
• Listen to music that touches your soul.
• Cuddle with your pet or volunteer at the local animal shelter (everyone benefits)
• Take a few minutes to shut your eyes, put your hand on your heart and imagine breathing in, and out of your heart space.
• Write in your journal using a prompt such as: “I feel loved and loving when_____” then act on what you wrote.
• Write a love letter to yourself. Mail it.
• BONUS: OK, here’s the big one I learned from the incredible Louise...

Dirty dishes, an out of sorts spouse, or a maddening series of red lights when you’re already late for an important appointment…Thich Nhat Hanh taught me these are all invitations to come back to the peace that dwells in my own heart.

And my choice is to accept that invitation.

I began to explore his work more intently as my interest in ways to live love started to blossom. I’ve particularly enjoyed the simple message in his books “Teachings on Love” and “Peace is Every Step” although there are many titles to choose from. His work has given me a deeper understanding of the power of mindfulness, deep listening, and the sacredness of each and every moment of the day.

I found his teachings on healing relationships particularly powerful. In essence, the secret is to be totally present with others. Really. Present. Not the “I’m listening to you while I just check my phone” kind of present.

Insightful. Simple. True.

Thich...

We live in the information age. More books, more blogs, more TV programs, more news outlets than ever before and we often suffer from feeling like we don’t know who or what to believe.

I do. Here’s my tip: check your source.

No, this isn’t a blog about the validity of international government agencies, specific news channels or your favorite talking head. It’s bigger than that.

Check your source, or more to the point, check with your Source.

Many of my clients are quick to check with Source (God, Universe, Love or whatever term you prefer) when loved ones are ill, they’re up for a raise or having relationship issues. Great! You know I always direct you to check with your own inner divine guidance for challenges such as these.

I find folks often forget this “hotline” is always open. For everything.

Going to a restaurant or ordering in? Want to know what would be the best choice? Sure, you can ask your partner or best friend AND check in with...

It’s that time of year when we once again seek clarity around our intentions and goals for the New Year.

Where do you want to be in 12 months? In a new home? A new job? Will you learn a new skill? Maybe travel?

What do you want your family life to look like? Relationships? Your health?

In the past, it was easy for me to come up with a list of “to do’s” and create my intentions but it didn’t always work so well. I’d use my head, my intellect, to figure out my best plan going forward. That’s when the trouble would start.

In retrospect, I realize my goals often weren’t aligned with my values. For example, a core value for me is listening to the Divine within and leading a guided life. If I have an intention to grow my business, and I consistently get up and start work without doing my daily spiritual practice, I’m out of alignment. I may feel “too busy” for my practice and my ego could come up with a multitude of reasons...

There have been many tributes this week to the TV broadcasting legend that was Willard Scott, who passed away over the weekend in his Virginia farm not far from my house. He had an unconventional career and worked for 65 years with NBC, over 30 of those years as the weatherman for the TODAY Show.

I saw him for the first time as a young child and remember sitting on his lap when he was working as Bozo the Clown. He was also the original TV Ronald McDonald. He’s co-hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, traveled the world on assignment for NBC, once delivered the weather dressed as Carmen Miranda (known as the Brazilian Bombshell), was the White House Santa for multiple Presidents, and kissed a pig on camera. People loved him.  President George W. Bush even named his cat after him.

I told you his career was unconventional.

So was he.

In the early 1990’s while working at the Fauquier County Public Library in Community Relations, I created a comic...

Life constantly provides beautiful lessons…you just need to pay attention. That’s what happened for me just a few days ago.

On the way to my weekly visit with my four-year-old grandson, Emory, I had noticed a slight tug as I sat down in the driver’s seat of my car. I realized I’d stepped through a spider web as I opened my door.

“Sorry, buddy!” I said out loud as I started the car and drove away.

Driving happily along a busy two-lane road at 55mph, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something moving outside my left window. I glanced quickly to see a large brown spider with yellow striped legs clinging to what was left of his web, connected to my side mirror and vigorously flapping in the wind beside me.

I screamed.

And instantly felt ridiculous.

Here was this tiny spider, tiny compared to me, outside my closed window struggling to stay connected to a thread in what must have felt like hurricane winds. What was I afraid of?

And yet my first...

I wasn’t the bravest kid in school. I was the “good girl” who followed directions but seldom rocked the boat. I don’t enjoy rough waves, disagreeable conversations or being in unpleasant situations.

But here I am.

While it’s easy to talk “love and light” to my “spiritual” friends, I have noticed my reluctance to be around those who think differently. Or those who – often loudly – spout ideas I find frightening. And I realized something.

That’s not love. At least not the kind of love I’m here to live.

The Oneness I believe in includes everyone. Every. One. Those of all beliefs, opinions, viewpoints, perspectives, spiritual practices, and individual preferences.

Everyone.

How can I teach the virtues of Oneness and hide from what my ego fears could be unpleasant encounters? I can’t.

So I’ve committed to stay in conversation with family, friends, colleagues, everyone who comes into my world. Not to...