A talisman can be any object that can be used as a tool or reminder that can bring good luck in some area of our life . Their use can be found in many cultures and religions.

I am increasingly becoming more aware of how that shows up in my life..

My moose coffee mug recently made its way back to me after being in storage in Florida. It’s special because my husband and I have collected a few during our travels through the west. During those trips, particularly to Grand Teton National Park we were graced with many sightings of moose, often along the Gros Ventre River. Their majestic presence took my breath away. I felt strength, power and protection. They have a keen sense of awareness.  They project a gentle demeanor but can be fierce when the need arises. When I drink my coffee and see the image of the moose on my mug I am reminded of their character.

I love looking at the symbolism of animals and reference “Animal-Speak” by Ted Andrews often. This is...

Creating little sacred spaces and carving moments out of each day to practice mindful self care to nourish our mind, body and spirit leads to a healthy joyful life.

Morning meditation is a great ritual to start the day. Checking in with ourself grounds us and sets our intention. I often use a mantra or pull an affirmation card, then use that to center my thoughts. I also like guided meditations at times and have had great experiences with @deepakchopra and @oprah meditation challenges. Other times I like listening to drumming music. It doesn’t have to be the same or silent. It’s about finding what resonates with you.

I use to think meditation was to shut off our brain. Then I realized that is not it at all. It’s about sitting with our thoughts, separating ourselves from them and letting them go if need be. I keep a journal near by to jot down what comes to me. It’s very insightful and brings awareness to thought patterns and behaviors. I also incorporate...

Want to know a simple secret to happiness?

Gratitude.

Yes, it’s really that simple.

It is very beneficial to write down the things in your life for which you are grateful.  It can be as simple as a beautiful flower you saw on a walk or as profound as the love you have for your family. It can instantly put you in a new state of happiness and awareness of all your blessings.  When you do this on a day that is particularly trying, it actually has the power to change the direction of your entire day!

There is nothing more powerful to change your perspective than to be grateful.
Life is always presenting challenges and ups and downs. We are constantly living with a challenge, getting past a challenge or starting a challenge.  Our character and strength have continuous opportunities to grow.

Sometimes it is hard to understand why we have these challenges. Some examples might be:

Why does my friend have cancer?
Why do small children become sick and suffer?
Why is...

For many women, our focus is external. We put so much of our energy into taking care of our family, to balancing our duties at home and work, and to cultivating friendships that we often have little energy left to nurture ourselves. Rituals are a beautiful way to connect back to our true selves. It is time for us to reclaim our passion for life and revive the wisdom within us and integrate that into everyday life. Rituals are a simple, yet beautiful way to elevate the ordinary to extraordinary; they put meaning into each moment.

A lot of women tell me they feel guilty for taking care of themselves and taking time to relax. Many of us have grown up in an environment where our emotional needs were not met and we learned to take care of others to the exclusion of taking care of ourselves. I’ve noticed a better version of me emerges and I have more to give when I integrate meaningful rituals into my everyday life.

A ritual can be as simple as saying thank you when you wake each...