As my sabbatical comes to a close, it’s a natural time for one final reflection, not about enlightenment or anything fancy, but rather what it feels like to experience my wholeness perhaps for the first time.

I went to a movie alone during my sabbatical and didn’t expect it to open a doorway into grief, healing, and an ancient question that still shapes our lives: To be, or not to be? This is a reflection on loss, catharsis, and what comes after we choose to keep living—learning not just to be, but how to be.

While I’m no Thoreau, there is a quiet and powerful profundity in taking a conscious timeout of the work-a-day world to spend quality time with nature. Here are some reflections and inspirations from Mother Nature to recalibrate our souls in this harried world.

Reconnecting with historic women mystics has grounded me back into my own sacred center. Perhaps these ladies will inspire you as well.

Featured Image Art by Anna Poloz Icons.

The Body Prayer attributed to Julian of Norwich has been a steady companion this last month, building to a quiet but powerful beach walk to start my sabbatical. Perhaps this pray will sing to you as well.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve written a blog post. Life was lifing pretty hard in the in between. But I feel like I’ve given grief its due, metabolized so much, and finally turned a corner towards my future life. I’ve made it through the liminal space. Now amazing things are coming together for me in my personal and professional life beyond what I ever thought possible, including being on a sabbatical right now. Here’s my first reflection from day 3 underneath a lovely photo of my feet in the Pacific.

What happens when you take a break, a real break? Perhaps it’s all about the power of perspective or just plain power.

What if we were to live with “no stories attached”? No stories going into an experience; no stories going out of an experience. Just being fully present with what is in a “be-here-now” way, as Ram Dass espouses.

It’s time to start living from your place of power within. This isn’t a fictional story or witches and warlocks waiting to be discovered and unleashed. This is nonfiction reality. You are here to shine.

In part 2 of this wee series on the power tools of Science of Mind, learn about the difference between visualizing and visioning.