I love and appreciate the time I spend with my incredible mom. I love our conversations, hearing her stories of growing up on a farm in Prince Edward Island and her perspective of how the world is now. At 92, she holds so much wisdom.

As I sit down to write this week, inspiration feels like an effortless flow.

Recently, I had the privilege of facilitating a weekend silent retreat—an experience that was profoundly transformative for everyone involved, including myself.

 At the beginning of each year, I often create a vision board—not expecting everything to manifest exactly as I imagine, but as a way to reflect on what inspires me.

I'm sharing a personal experience I've been navigating the past few months.

I've just completed my meditation practice, and my body feels deeply relaxed. My mind is calm, and there is a sense of emptiness.

I was thinking about how incredible it is that one person can touch so many lives simply by showing up as their most authentic self.

When life gets busy, slow down. What?!

Some of you might notice a reaction in your body or mind to this statement and think, "Well, that seems counterintuitive!" But hear me out.

I've been hearing from many people about their experiences with emotional ups and downs, which can feel quite uncomfortable. Many are asking how to deal with these intense emotions.

In a world filled with noise, chaos, uncertainty, and division, it's easy to feel ungrounded and unsafe.

We often seek comfort and validation externally; however, true solace lies within ourselves.

There's something special about a Fall hike. They bring me so much joy!

We are at a critical time in the evolution of our people and planet.

And while there is much chaos, there is also an uprising of consciousness, which we don't hear or read about in the news.

Last week, I shared my thankfulness for the compassion I have learned and continue to work to develop for myself.

Today, we are celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada.

There is so much to be grateful for.  Right now, I am thankful to have an open heart. I have had many heart-opening experiences in the past several weeks.

I just returned from a remarkable women's retreat I hosted in Sedona, Arizona. It proved to be an enriching and transformative experience on so many levels, and I would love to share about it!

I recently attended a five-day retreat where we explored how we relate to others and the essence of authentic connections.

I am filled with excitement!

I recently read a poem by spiritual teacher Jeff Foster that beautifully captures the profound insight into this moment's sacredness. 

Last week, I explored the importance of pausing and allowing ourselves to relax into the natural rhythm of life. This subject resonates deeply with me; it's not just a topic of interest but a core part of my practice and passion.

Welcome to September! I'm excited to reconnect with you again.

As I've often expressed, the beach is my ultimate sanctuary. Gazing out at the endless horizon, I find both physical space and mental spaciousness. It is food for the soul.

When contemplating what it means to be in flow in my life, I need only to sit, watch, and listen to the rhythmic dance of the waves. Their constant ebb and flow embody a natural, unforced rhythm, and I can feel my nervous system unwinding, any tension melting away with each rolling wave.

While there was much peace and relaxation this summer, I also experienced significant personal growth, which, as you know, is not always comfortable. 

I stayed the course, remained committed to my path, and practiced being here now. When doubts crept in, I found reassurance in my teacher's words: "Nothing that is true ever goes away."

As I write this, I find myself accessing a new depth. I notice a flow, an aliveness, an openness.  

I am so passionate about the journey and my work. I am SO excited about this! It feels like the 'first day of school' kind of excitement.

I am reminded once more that:

True transformation occurs when we fully embrace the present moment.  

The journey of growth is endless; there is always more to discover.

Consciousness knows no limits.

Many people experience a shift in their flow this time of year. For some, the transition is significant with a 'back-to-school' mindset, while the change is more subtle for others.

Whether your flow changes dramatically or remains largely the same, September often marks a time of renewal and fresh starts.

It's an opportunity to find our natural rhythms amidst the changing seasons. My days are more scheduled as I plan for the Fall and year to come, and I welcome this change.

As I enter the school of self-discovery this month, I desire to be and live with flow. 

Please join me as we continue on the journey of self-discovery together.

Where do we start?

We meet ourselves wherever we are with compassion. 

Each moment is the starting point.

Just like we can find solace in looking at the spacious horizon, we can find solace in having space in our minds as we go about our day-to-day lives. 

This is the gift of our mindfulness practice.

When we pause, we create a space to be. We can take a conscious breath and relax into being.

It is in the space where we open the door and return home to our true essence.

Some days, we can be so hurried that we forget to pause and take a conscious breath.

It's all good.

Anytime we become aware we aren't present, we are present. We are aware. We have returned home, and our practice is to return home again and again.

The more we make this simple choice, the more natural it becomes to abide in this moment.

I treasure my morning meditations. They are the perfect way to start my day and help me be more present in my body, life, and flow.

From here, my doing comes from a place of being. It feels and looks very different from being on autopilot and checking my to-do list.

You may have a morning ritual that you find supportive or are inspired to start something new. A wonderfully simple place to start (or start again) is to ask yourself,

What matters to me right now?

What is my heart yearning for?

Stay close to this. It's your guiding light, and it will help you repeatedly return to yourself.

I am so grateful to connect with you again! I look forward to being with you all again, weekly in your inbox and hopefully in person.

I am wishing you an excellent first week of September.

Warmly,

Diane

Summer is here. It is a time when many of us go on vacation, relish the warmer weather, and unwind. What type of traveler are you? Do you prefer to travel light, or is your suitcase bursting at the seams?