What did I learn today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love

 Rather than think about what you have to do to change a situation, consider what the situation might be doing to change you. How it might be seasoning and transforming and growing you. You are not responsible for everything and everyone. Allow that as a possibility. Jessica Dore There are some situations that don’t come into your life to stay. They show up like quiet teachers, nudging you to shift, stretch, evolve. They whisper of change, even when you’re desperately clinging to what’s familiar. You say you want to grow—but are you ready to release? You say you long for transformation—but have you made peace with the discomfort of the unknown? Let’s be honest: loss is terrifying. We grieve even the things we no longer want. The familiar, no matter how confining, wraps itself around us like family. It becomes our safety net, our story, our shield. But maybe it’s time to redefine “lose.” What If Loss Is Just a Beginning? I don’t say I lost my house anymore. I don’t say I lost my ma...

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ” –Albert Einstein Yesterday, the Nina ladies took on a short but spirited hike to the breathtaking Zorro Falls. What began as a physical challenge quickly unfolded into a living classroom—one where nature, uncertainty, and sisterhood taught us more than any indoor session could . We use these outdoor journeys as practical learning spaces: to explore how we navigate challenges, embrace uncertainty, and show up for one another with both strength and softness. And this hike delivered all of that—with a splash of fun and a whole lot of heart. There were moments that tested us: slippery rocks, steep climbs, and the rope-assisted ascent up the falls—the easiest way up, but still no small feat. What stood out most was the cheering. The genuine, soul-deep encouragement that echoed through the trees as each woman tackled the terrain. It was a reminder that support isn’t just about lending a hand—it’s about believing in eac...

No one comes to the earth like grass. We come like trees, we all have roots - Maya Angelou    August arrives like a roar. A reminder. A reckoning. A return. This month, I choose to remember what it means to be Rooted—not just in place, but in presence. In truth. In love. In the quiet courage that says, “I will not abandon myself.” To be Rooted is to stand firm in the face of winds that try to sway you. It is to know, without needing to explain, that your worth is not up for negotiation. It is to feel the pulse of nature in your bones, the rhythm of spirit in your breath, and the clarity of truth in your choices. This August, I root myself in: - Nature – the original teacher of resilience and grace -  Truth – even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s mine alone -  A Positive Mindset – not toxic optimism, but intentional hope -  Love – for self, for others, for the journey -  Spirit – the unseen force that guides and grounds -  Courage – the kind tha...

“ My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”   Maya Angelou I picked up one of my old journals this week—something I don’t often do anymore. I've started letting go of them when the pages run out, a quiet rite of passage, I suppose. A moment to say: I’ve learned from this, now it’s time to move forward. But this time, I was searching. A line, a moment, something I scribbled while half-listening to a podcast and reaching for the nearest page. What I found were two questions written in my own hand: - What do you think about the most? - What would you do with your life if you didn’t have to pay bills? They stopped me. I’ve been feeling rudderless lately. Moving, but not quite arriving. Doing, but not fully being. These questions didn’t demand answers—they invited me home. What I Think About Most? I think about being healthy. I think about showing up kind. I think about being great—not perfor...

The deeper you go spiritually, the less impact the ego will have over you . Sadhiviji  There are moments when the truth sits quietly beside you, waiting to be acknowledged. I stumbled across a quote by Sadhviji that hit a little too close to home: If you believe that you're unworthy of love, you'll act in ways to ensure no one loves you. If you believe you're unworthy of abundance, you'll live in scarcity. If you believe you're not good enough, you'll ensure that whatever you do ends in failure My first instinct was resistance—“No way am I self-sabotaging!” But truth has a way of softening defenses. I sat with it, breathed through it, and stepped aside to ask: Am I responding from ego, or from truth? In hindsight, yes—there are decisions I’ve made that carried the fingerprints of fear, doubt, and lack. Not because I wanted to stay stuck, but because some part of me believed I was supposed to. Subconscious beliefs shape our patterns, and life, ever the mirror, re...

Choice is your greatest power. It is an even greater power than love, because you must first choose to be a loving person. Carolyn Myss There’s a moment, often missed, between thought and action—a sacred pause where our greatest authority lives. Choice is one of the most potent forces we possess. It is the quiet architect behind the life we live, the relationships we nurture, the truths we embody. Every choice—whether grand or subtle—holds power. And every choice carries consequence. When I slide into blaming others, to feeling like a victim, to throwing my hands in the air, I think about what choice did I make to contribute to where I am today.  What makes this even more astonishing is how often we choose unconsciously. We choose by habit, by reaction, by ancestral muscle memory. We choose from fear. From judgment. From ego. These choices, unnoticed as they may be, still create. They ripple outward, manifesting realities we may never have intended but must now account for. And whe...