Category: Uplifting

I enjoy being around any kind of water, but it’s the ocean that draws me in the most. The smell of the salty air and the sound of the waves crashing against the beach can pull me out of even my grumpiest mood. Somehow, I can breathe deeper there—exhale, soften, and smile.

When I lived by the ocean, I loved walking around the boat dock. Some boats were clearly lived in, while others stayed tied to the pier—waiting for the occasional trip out onto the water. I was always most fascinated by the sailboats. A few of them never seemed to move at all. I’d walk by and wonder why someone would have something so beautiful, so capable of adventure, only to keep it tied up. Maybe that’s because I’ve always wanted to learn how to sail. There’s something exhilarating—and a little scary—about the idea of using nothing but the wind to carry you forward.

But I’ve realized we can be just like those sailboats.

We’re created with purpose and potential, built to raise our sails and move—really move—through life. And yet, for so many reasons, we stay docked. We choose what feels safe. We stay where anger, fear, pain, or resentment have anchored us. We forget that we were made for the open water.

When we stay tied to the harbor too long, we don’t thrive. We rust. We gather cobwebs. We become a version of ourselves that was never meant to be permanent.

Maybe it’s time to ask for help in getting “our sailboat” seaworthy again. With prayer, healing, and the right people around us, we can raise our sails once more. We can step into the life we were created for.

Think of it this way: God is the wind. When all we have left is a sail—tired, unsure, or worn—He is the power that moves us. We don’t have to create the wind. We just have to lift the sail.

As we say goodbye to this year and welcome a new one, maybe it’s time to loosen the ropes. To leave the harbor. To trust the wind. To finally do what we were made to do.

Before you click away, take a quiet moment to ask God where He may be inviting you to loosen the ropes in your own life. Pray and listen for the areas where He’s calling you to raise your sails and trust His wind again. If you feel led, share your reflection in the comments—I would be honored to pray with you as we step into this new year together.

As I’ve said so many times before, I absolutely love this season of autumn. I’m not a fan of winter’s cold, so knowing this season is so fleeting makes me appreciate it even more. Life feels like that sometimes, doesn’t it? The best moments always seem to fly by, and when we know something good is ending, we try to hold on a little tighter.

Letting go can be tough, but autumn reminds us how beautiful it can be. Nature shows us how amazing it is to release what no longer serves us and welcome the next season — even if it’s one of stillness and rest. We all need that pause so we can grow and thrive in the seasons ahead.

Maybe that’s why I love autumn so much — it’s a reminder that endings can be breathtaking too. The golden light, the quiet afternoons, the soft hum of change in the air… all whisper that there’s grace in transition. So here’s to savoring the fleeting moments, trusting the process, and finding beauty in every stage of the journey.

This season, let it be your gentle invitation to slow down and realign with what truly nourishes you. 🍁

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🌿 Simple Ways to Embrace Autumn’s Energy

1. Create quiet rituals. Start your mornings slowly — light a non-toxic candle, or my favorite is to diffuse a grounding blend like Young Living Grounding or Frankincense, and let that warm, earthy aroma anchor your intentions for the day.

2. Nourish from the inside out. As the air turns crisp, support your body with warm foods, herbal teas, and restorative self-care. A drop of Orange in your diffuser can lift your mood and energize your space, while Cedarwood or Young Living’s Clarity can help you unwind in the evenings.

3. Get outside. Take a walk under the changing leaves. Breathe deeply. Let nature’s rhythm remind you that slowing down is part of thriving.

4. Reflect and release. Journal about what you’re ready to let go of — old habits, expectations, or patterns. Then, diffuse Young Living’s Peace & Calming or Lavendar as you write to create a calm, clear headspace.

5. Rest without guilt. Autumn teaches us that rest isn’t laziness; it’s preparation for renewal. Let your body and spirit recharge. Try adding a few drops of Roman Chamomile or Young Living’s Stress Away blend to your evening routine for deeper, more restorative sleep.

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🧘‍♀️ Autumn Yoga + Essential Oil Pairings

Bring your mind and body into harmony with these gentle yoga poses and oil blends that align perfectly with autumn’s grounding energy:

🌾 Child’s Pose (Balasana)
A pose of surrender and rest.
Add a drop of Frankincense to the palms of your hands, inhale deeply, and let the scent guide you inward. Allow your breath to melt tension and invite stillness.

🍂 Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
A stretch for reflection and release.
Diffuse Lavendar to calm the mind. As you fold forward, imagine letting go of what no longer serves you — exhaling old energy with each breath.

🌕 Supported Heart Opener (Reclined Bound Angle Pose, Supta Baddha Konasana)
A heart-centered pose for acceptance and gratitude.
Apply Young Living Grounding or Cedarwood to your chest or wrists. Let the earthy aroma help you open your heart, grounding you in the present moment.

🔥 Gentle Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
A detoxifying pose for renewal.
Diffuse Orange or Lemon to refresh the senses and support emotional clarity as you twist and release stagnant energy.

Allow your practice to be slow, mindful, and nurturing — a moving meditation that reminds you that transformation can be gentle.

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✨ A Gentle Reminder

Just as the trees shed their leaves to make room for new growth, we too can release what’s heavy and trust that something beautiful is on its way. This season, nourish your mind, body, and spirit — not through rushing, but through rituals that bring you back to balance.

If you’re looking for a natural way to ground your energy and support your wellness, I can help you explore Young Living’s essential oils that help you move through autumn with ease and grace — warm, woody notes for grounding, citrus for joy, and florals for calm. Also, if you are looking for a yoga practice I am beginning to teach online, and I would love for you to join my practice.

Let this be your season to soften, release, and begin again. 🍃

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“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.”
— Anonymous

Learning from a widow’s faith to show up fully with what we’ve been given.

Last December, I decided to read the entire Bible in one year—cover to cover. While that might not seem like a huge deal, for me it was. I love reading, but I have to admit that large portions of the Bible can feel a bit boring. Thankfully, with the help of a great app, I got started on my goal.

This app has made it easy to stay consistent, and now I have just 54 days left until I achieve this major milestone—even the “boring” parts are getting read! Throughout the year, I’ve gained fresh insights from familiar passages, like today’s reading in Luke 21:1-4. In this story, Jesus observes rich men giving their offerings at the treasury, but he is drawn to a poor widow who gives everything she has.

Jesus not only notices her, but he uses this as a powerful teaching moment. It struck me how this woman, without a husband or wealth, didn’t let her circumstances stop her from giving all she had. Society looked down on her for her lack of status and resources, much like we sometimes judge others today.

It made me reflect: do we give our all?

I once heard time described in a way that really shifts perspective. Imagine receiving $86,400 deposited into your account every day—how would you spend it? That number represents the seconds we get daily. If we weren’t stingy with our time and attitude, and gave our all, not only might we find more energy and happiness, but we could also support others who might not have the capacity to give their all. In turn, they might someday give back when they’re able.

Maybe it’s not about whether we can give “everything” like the widow, but whether we’re willing to show up with a generous heart in the moments we’re given. The truth is, we all fall short sometimes — I certainly do.

Looking back on my week—what a week it was—my honest answer is no, I fell short.  There were moments where I held back, even with small things like kindness or maintaining a good attitude.

But every day we’re handed 86,400 new seconds, a fresh chance to spend them wisely.

So today I’m asking myself (and maybe you too):
Where can I give more freely of my time, my kindness, or my patience?

Continue reading “All In” →

“Wait.”
It’s just a four-letter word—but not the “bad” kind we usually think of. Still, it’s one of the hardest words to live with.

Who really likes to wait? We often find ourselves saying, “I can’t wait for warmer weather… I can’t wait for this pain to pass… I can’t wait for this season to be over.” The list could go on forever.

But here’s what I’m learning: memories are made in the waiting.

Each season of life carries its own moments—some joyful, some painful—that shape us. We never know when it will be the last time we hug someone, hear their voice, or share a conversation. If we rush through, always eager for the next thing, we risk losing the very treasures that make life meaningful.

A “wrap-up” attitude robs us of the present. It blinds us to the beauty right in front of us. The most treasured moments, the ones that take our breath away when remembered, are often found in seasons we once wished away.

So, what will we choose?
To hurry through and miss it—or to pause, embrace, and be grateful for the wait?

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What season of waiting are you in right now—and what unexpected beauty can you see in it?

Have you ever taken on a challenge because you saw someone else do it—only to find yourself exhausted, weighed down, and wondering why it feels so heavy?

I know I have.

But what if the problem isn’t the challenge itself, but how we’re approaching it?

The other morning I was reading a devotional on David and Goliath. Even if you don’t read the Bible, you’ve probably heard this story: a young shepherd boy named David defeats a giant over nine feet tall with nothing but a slingshot and five stones.

While that moment is powerful in itself, what struck me most wasn’t the battle—but what happened before it.

First, David’s father asked him to deliver food to his brothers on the battlefield. David didn’t make excuses, argue, or say he was too busy watching the sheep. He simply obeyed. Maybe he was eager for a change of scenery, maybe not—but he was willing.

When David arrived, he noticed something no one else wanted to face: Goliath mocking Israel. David could have dropped off the food and walked away. After all, killing giants wasn’t what his father had asked of him. Even his brothers questioned why he wasn’t with the sheep. But David saw what needed to be done—and he was willing to step up.

Here’s where it gets interesting. When King Saul offered David his own armor, David tried it on but quickly realized it didn’t fit. It was too heavy. Instead of struggling under the weight of someone else’s tools, David chose to fight with what he knew—his sling and stones.

That’s the lesson for us.

When we face our own giants—whether they’re health challenges, career struggles, or personal battles—it’s tempting to do things the way everyone else does. We put on “their armor,” and then wonder why we feel bogged down, discouraged, or ineffective.

But victory comes when we use our gifts, our strengths, and our resources. When we stop trying to fight with what was never meant for us, we find freedom, energy, and confidence.

David defeated Goliath not by imitating someone else, but by leaning into who God and who he already was and what he already had.

So the next time you face a challenge, remember: you don’t need someone else’s armor. You already have what you need to slay your giant.

Want to read the full story? Check out 1 Samuel 17.

So, if this encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you!
👉 Share in the comments: What “giant” are you facing right now—and what unique gifts or tools are you leaning on to fight it?

And if this post inspired you, pass it along to someone who might need a reminder that they already have everything they need.

 

Trust has many meanings, but for me, trusting someone with my heart—that’s when it gets truly scary.

I’ll gladly sign up for jumping out of an airplane, rock climbing, or zip lining—give me that adrenaline rush, and I trust without hesitation. But when it comes to handing over the most vulnerable part of me, the part that’s been hurt before, I stop dead in my tracks. That kind of trust feels like climbing Everest—daunting and overwhelming.

I’m sure a psychiatrist could have a field day with my fears. They could probably retire and send their kids to college, just off my trust issues alone.

A heart is precious—so fragile—but it’s not meant to be a fortress. It’s meant to be shared. As I climb my own Everest, I’m finding healing. I’m learning to open the parts of my heart I once hid away. When the climb gets hard and I need oxygen to keep going, I turn to God and His Word. I find deep comfort in Psalm 23.

23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Then I do these three things:

Pause.
Reflect.
Grasp for God.

It sounds simple—so simple some might wave it off—but for me, it’s what’s helping me heal and learn to trust again.

I know God is God. God is good to me. And I can trust God to be God—He’s got me and I can just be me.

Learning to trust again—whether it’s others or ourselves—is a journey, not a quick leap. It takes courage to unclench that protective heart and let love in, even after it’s been bruised. But every small step up that personal Everest is a victory.

If you’re reading this and feeling that fear or hesitation, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to reflect. And it’s more than okay to reach out—to God, to a trusted friend, or to the healing power within you.

Trust doesn’t mean perfection or never getting hurt again. It means choosing hope over fear, every single day. So take your time, breathe deeply, and keep climbing. Your heart was made to feel, to heal, and to shine.

And remember—God’s got you. Always.

What about you? What’s one small step you can take today to start trusting again? I’d love to hear your thoughts or stories—please feel free to share in the comments below. Let’s climb this mountain together.