I wanted to check in with you. There’s a lot of fear, heaviness, and suffering being felt around the world as we watch the current state of war in Ukraine.

Today is my ‘unbirthday’. I’m a leap year baby born on the 29th so I only get a birthday every four years! Meaning I’m only 14 ½ years old wink, wink.

Last week I shared a bit about my journey with meditation over the last thirty years.

Through the years meditation and I have had our ups and downs. We’ve run hot and cold. Now, after years of trials and tribulations, I’m happy to share that meditation and I are in a really nice place.

Last week I shared how self-discovery is like peeling back layers on an onion.

But where did the layers come from?

Self-discovery is like an onion. As the layers of old conditioning fall away, the truth of who we are continues to reveal itself in the most miraculous and often unexpected ways.

Some weeks the topic I write about for Mindful Monday comes easier to me than others. What I’ve been (re)learning is, when I’m not forcing a topic to materialize, when I allow my thoughts some space to organically form, things flow with more ease.

For much of my life, I took my breath for granted. It was there for me 24/7 and I just went on my merry way not giving it much attention or thought, that is until I became really anxious.

I’m looking out my window. Snowflakes are falling gracefully, swirling here and there in a gentle nonsensical way, riding with the wind while the sunlight glistens upon them so beautifully.

Welcome to 2022. I’m deeply grateful to continue this journey with you.

So, what do you think? What can we expect this year?

It’s a big time of year for many who celebrate this holiday season, often accompanied by big feelings, and possibly big expectations.

I love the winter and with our season’s first snowfall, I always get so excited! I love walking in the snow, the fresh air, the snow glistening on the trees, and I’ve already gone for my first skate.

Do you like to watch movies? I sure do.

Now, what if your life was the movie and you were to step back and observe? To be aware of the role you play and witness things as they unfold.

I had a great conversation with a friend recently. We were talking about how everyone has story, and that we never really know what’s going on with someone. We can make a lot of assumptions but unless we happen to ask, we never really know.

If we take a look around at how we are operating as a society, most people are operating on autopilot. A lot of time and energy is placed on their external world with little attention on their inner experience or connection to Self; meaning our sense of self comes from what we do for a living, what we have, what we have accomplished, what we look like, what people think of us.

This is not easy to write, and at the same time I feel compelled to share.

The last few weeks I’ve been writing about pausing, trusting, and relaxing into life. I love this topic and this practice. It’s where my passion lies.

‘Want to be happier and productive? Take a break.’

I read this last week somewhere and it totally resonated with me.

Last week I held my great-niece Nneora (Nora) for the first time. What a precious experience. As her body relaxed fully into my arms, my body softened, and my mind was still. I was completely mesmerized by her beauty and presence.

This week I feel inspired to bring light and hope to an emotion that is part of our human experience and that is also causing a lot of pain and suffering right now.

Fear.