 I found this beautiful Flower Mandala on colleagues retreat page. Those who have been on my workshops or retreats have had a wonderful experience of creating them to share their stories through collaging.
A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols used in various spiritual traditions, primarily Hinduism and Buddhism, as a tool for meditation and a map representing the universe. It comes from the ancient Sanskrit word for "circle," it typically features intricate, symmetrical patterns that radiate outward from a central point. Beyond traditional Eastern religions, the circular pattern of the mandala is recognized globally as a symbol of wholeness and unity. In modern contexts, mandala designs are frequently used in stress-relief adult coloring books, art therapy, and yoga practices to promote mindfulness and relaxation. This form of a mandala is one of my favorites this time of year. You could be at the beach, camping or even on your daily walks discovering indescribable beauty around you. Consider forming a mandala in the moment to express the gift of presence, journey and life around you!
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 Is food your friend?
Believe it our not, this is a loaded question for most. If you have been around here for awhile, you know that this journey of writing, speaking, coaching and leading retreats began with my journey with food. I am 25 years in recovery after 14 years of anorexia. You can read more about my journey in 'Find Your Voice Project: A Journey Towards Healing.' Today I challenge you to consider what food is within your life. I challenge you to pause, listen and walk mindfully into your meals. I remind you to enjoy. (Stay tuned for a forthcoming essay diving into this topic!)  Have you walked into the journey of my writing?
There is something for everyone! From a healing journey to spiritual enlightenment; to bites of reflection in minute retreat to essays for the journey. Come explore with me!  Last month flowers were on sale after Mother's Day and I bought these beautiful roses for no reason other than they made me happy; they brought me joy. An act of embracing the beauty I want to create in my life. It is our responsibility to ourselves to show up as who we feel we are and all that we deserve. No one else’s opinion of us should ever change our truth. Read that again. I remember profoundly as a youth everyone had an idea of who I should be and what road I should be taking. Rarely did anyone ask me what I wanted to do with my life. We all saw where that thinking led my journey early on. There is a gift I give to myself daily. I ask questions. Does this decision feel right for me? Do I want the end result of this choice? Does this support the life I am trying to build? You owe it to yourself to show up in your life on a daily basis. We all have life responsibilities, but it doesn’t mean you sacrifice who you are at your core or your happiness along the journey. So, just for today, ask yourself questions!  I think we have all lived in the world of negative self-talk.
It is nearly impossible to step away from it in a time where social media is constant. Personally, when I was battling anorexia over three decades ago, the self-talk was a result of magazines, movies, and the same message that you were not valuable unless you looked a certain way, wore the right clothes, or had the perfect job. It has not changed today, but it has intensified in the era of technology. I cannot imagine how devastating it could have been if I had to battle social media then. Here is the real truth. You still control your mind. You have the ability to tell yourself every day what you want to focus on in that moment. You have the power to put words of value, worth and self-love into the equation of your life. I believe in affirmations and changing the dialogue. Consider putting your voice of love back into the conversation.  How often do you sit in the nothing-ness?
The weekend comes around and our first thought is to go go go! We want to do all the chores, all the shopping and take on every summer activity possible. What about if you did nothing? What if you sat by the river and embraced the calm? What if you sat in the garden and listened to nature? What if... Sometimes the best form of self care is in the pause. Consider it.
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about an experience I had with a new coaching client. He was gracious enough to leave me a review on google business, so you can also read his words. What I love most about coaching is that the client seeks me out. When someone takes the time to reach out and then be incredibly vulnerable right up front to make changes on his journey, it makes all the difference. Coaching is so different from counseling because it often is for a limited number of sessions and sometimes just one! A person walks in with a road map and idea of what they need to focus on, while together we get right to the heart of where changes and chances can occur on the path. Are you ready to take a leap to own your story? "I was feeling very unclear about the direction I was going in my career life so I reached out to Andrea for help. I took a 3 meeting mentorship offering and it helped me out greatly. I went from having no idea what was next for me to having a clear picture. I had just been going against the current for the past 5 years but now I feel like I am flowing with the water." -CT  A question we all struggle with regularly. When will you take the time to embrace your worth?
When I gather women together in a safe space designed to cultivate authenticity and compassion, what follows is an honest awareness of one's journey. Magical blessings unfold in conversation and community, while it becomes a space of awakening and true self-expression.
Are you ready to own your journey and bring a new passion and enlightenment in each step forward of your personal story? Our goal is to offer resilience, improve well-being, and allow for growth, acceptance, and a more fulfilling life experience on the journey. I believe there is grace in presence. I believe there is beauty in acceptance, I believe there is personal strength in empowerment. I believe that we are the authors of our own story. What will you receive? Guided Candlelight Meditations Sound Healing Reflective Writing and Introspection Safe Women’s Circle and Non-Judgmental Shared Dialogue Intuitive Movement & Embodied Yoga & Reiki Ceremony & Releasing Ritual Time for Rest & Renew in Beautiful Nature Community Group Art Mindful Catered Lunch And so much more! Save your spot early, space is limited! Payment plans are available. Reach out for more info:  The journey unfolds within each step.
Each with a lesson to remind us we are living. Lessons unfold and we are able to truly live fully. How are you taking the risk to listen to these steps, the lessons and walk along side them to allow your journey to fall into its natural path? Have you taken the leap to own these steps? Is fear still your leader?  When I gather women together in a safe space designed to cultivate authenticity and compassion, what follows is an honest awareness of one's journey. Magical blessings unfold in conversation and community, while it becomes a space of awakening and true self-expression.
Are you ready to own your journey and bring a new passion and enlightenment in each step forward of your personal story? Our goal is to offer resilience, improve well-being, and allow for growth, acceptance, and a more fulfilling life experience on the journey. I believe there is grace in presence. I believe there is beauty in acceptance, I believe there is personal strength in empowerment. I believe that we are the authors of our own story. What will you receive? Guided Candlelight Meditations Sound Healing Reflective Writing and Introspection Safe Women’s Circle and Non-Judgmental Shared Dialogue Intuitive Movement & Embodied Yoga & Reiki Ceremony & Releasing Ritual Time for Rest & Renew in Beautiful Nature Community Group Art Mindful Catered Lunch And so much more! Save your spot early, space is limited! Payment plans are available.
I am so grateful for all the folks who came out, many not pictured. I love hearing people's life stories and how they come by my work. I am truly grateful to be able to share the lessons from the journey and look forward to walking you towards your SOUL HOMECOMINGS on our retreats and events!
 Who are the women in your circles? I grew up with four older brothers. Welcoming women into my life was never an easy or natural process. When the opportunities were there as I was in school, I never felt like I fit in most of the time.
Oddly enough, I began to learn more how to trust others and bring them into my life through recovery. Every step and every moment I chose to trust, I was welcomed with invisible nets that carried me when I needed it, included me when I felt alone and supported me on a journey that was always filled with questions. I believe this is a big part of why I love walking people through their soul homecomings on the journey. I want to be sure other women feel the light and love, when they least expect it. Have you trusted in this part of your journey? What are you waiting for? Join us on the journey!  San Francisco
When we look at each step as a gift, a lesson or a blessing the journey can offer us more than we ever expected. Last December when I was walking by these steps, this thought came shouting at me. I only saw possibilities. Consider if you looked at every situation as a possibility? Every moment in our lives is a gift. Every moment is a hidden lesson. Every moment is a blessing you may not have expected. but will find it transforms your steps. Be open to the possibility.
Hey locals!! Come get your signed copy of my new book! The Coffee Thief is graciously staying open on THURSDAY @ 4PM! Come grab a book, an amazing coffee then head over to the Damascus Farmers Market! What a great day!! See you soon!
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