Jackie

Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace. – Joan Borysenko As the days grow a little shorter and the rhythms of fall settle in, I often feel that surge of excitement to reset my goals and get back into routines. There’s something about this season that makes me want to organize, plan, and tackle everything I’ve been thinking about over the summer. But if I’m honest, sometimes that excitement can quickly turn into feeling a bit overwhelmed. So many things I want to do, so many priorities pulling me in…

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” Mark Black Well, here we are at the end of August. I know I’m not alone when I say how quickly my beloved “summertime mode” has gone by. I’ve been busy, similar to the bees and hummingbirds in my yard that I watch when they are happily collecting nectar from the flowering plants. But it’s been a good busy. I’ve tended to my yard, took hikes, baked cakes for my volunteer work that supports children in homeless shelters celebrate their birthdays and supported clients in…

“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down,” Lily Tomlin Step Into Nature’s Calm—Right From Where You Are I love National Relaxation Day! It’s such a great reminder of the importance of stopping, resting, and re-grouping. Taking time to relax and recharge is not something you should ever feel guilty about—yet in our “always productive” culture, it can feel out of alignment. The truth is, relaxing is one of the best things you can do for your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. And when you add in the beauty of nature, the benefits multiply even more.…

As summer begins its gentle wind-down, August offers a natural pause—a chance to slow the pace, reflect on your growth, and integrate what’s been shifting within you. Over the last few months, we’ve explored some powerful ideas together: The Stress-Weight Connection — how chronic stress affects the body, and how vital it is to become aware of your stressors and use tools that build inner calm. When you operate from that foundation, your body can begin to release weight more easily. You’re able to make choices that support you—instead of working against you. Self-Talk as…

It’s hard to believe summer is already beginning its wind down. I’ve been watching my container plants—usually an abundance of showy, cascading flowers—start to look a little spent. They’re not blooming as prolifically, as the photo shows, and I can see it won’t be too long before I’ll be cutting back many of the perennials and annuals to make space for any fall plantings I might decide to plant. And just as those plants are showing signs of summer’s end, I’m feeling it too. I feel like I want to simply stop, take it all…