As we are all spending more time at home these days, let’s dedicate some energy into our dwellings and create a little cherished space. Whether you live in a chic apartment amidst the business of a city, an expansive country house surrounded by acres of land or a dreamy bungalow on the beach—home is where the heart is. And, if this is true, where does the soul live?

For the past 8 days, a forest fire has been burning not too far from our home. Currently the Rio en Medio Fire has spread to 2,700 acres and is 18% contained. Dry conifer and ponderosa pine mixed with steep rugged terrain add to the complexity of efforts to control the fire. National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and 230 firefighters are strategically battling the blaze.

The sound alerted me. I recall the ‘feeling’ that the sound created more than the actual sound, it started with a curiosity. I had never heard a “rattler” before, and it instinctively captured my attention.

First, curious— which then quickly turned into a deep sensation that rippled through me, DANGER. I looked down and to my shock, 3-ft away a Mojave rattlesnake reared up and ready to strike, at me! I can still feel the emotion of seeing its huge flared head and lime green tongue outstretched, directly at me. My instincts took over. I screamed a big scream, stepped back as quickly as possible and moved into stunned mode. Ron and friends ran towards me and we all stood still, un-nerved as we tried to figure out our next move, and its.

As women we typically are the ones who support our partners, our families, our animals. We are the centripetal force.

#challengeaccepted Thank you @sylviaforsythe my @saks guru. Shout out to all who are such beautiful and elegant women @saaraahirv & @allieirv and a million more.

You know how it feels to find a a book you love? I am talking about the kind of read (that you can’t wait until the next time) you get a chance to sit down and enjoy a few more chapters.

Looking for a new read? I highly recommend The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister.

This book is a novel, and I am not usually a fiction-reading-kind-of-gal. I am mostly drawn to non-fiction spirituality but this title jumped off the shelf and tethered me like an anchor’s force from a sea of books.

Yesterday my husband Ron and I were driving a stretch of highway that crossed the Pecos River taking in a stunning view of New Mexico’s landscape.

As quickly as it came, it was gone.

Out of nowhere a large white majestic heron flew across our windshield. As I tightly clutched the steering wheel my initial thought was, “Oh No, this bird is going to die”. Then just as quickly as it blocked my view for a moment, it was gone. I felt a little stunned and then overwhelmed with emotion and started to cry. What just happened?

As seen in Houston Family Magazine July 2020 issue

This morning I read about a guy who loves clouds. I think Gavin Pretor-Pinney did a really good TED TALK called, Cloudy with a Chance of Joy. He says, “ to step off the digital treadmill, lie back and admire the beauty in the sky above”.

Join us again, as we facilitate Deepak Chopra's Abundance Meditation Challenge, to begin July 20th.

How to be intuitive. Last Friday morning held a bit of magic. A message appeared, as if to prove a guiding force, a nudge, a feeling, or sometimes even solid, concrete information that we are supported and on the right path.

How to visualize. Think of the subconscious mind as a second, hidden mind that exists within you— its goal is to attract circumstances and situations that match the images you hold within. It doesn’t discriminate. It brings you what you need or desire— synchronicity, which you may think of as luck or coincidence— but actually it’s an inner collaborator.

I just got off the phone with my sister, Lisa. She is the Chief Nursing Officer for the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus—which means her role asks her to oversee about 700 staff.

The pendulum swings. Not long ago I was in sunny California — taking in the ocean, deeply beautiful moments and feeling fabulous. Read more, California, Join Us. This week I’m getting a root canal.

HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

I sit in the endodontics office filling out the paper work. I feel a shaky sense of maybe I should just get-up-and-leave kind of feeling wash over me. Then I hear my self say, “how hard can this be? It can’t hurt that bad as long as the anesthetic works.”

On a recent trip to California, to celebrate the girls’ birthday, unexpected experiences appear. Allie is finishing up a two-year program studying depth psychology. Sarah and I join her at the end of one of her sessions to take a few days of R&R, and start 2020 in a fresh and inspiring way.

Over a glass of champagne, the three of us make a rough plan of what our three days in California will hold. We all agree — time together, in nature, along with good food and wine are the top of our list.

I love the quote,

Life is like a box (or tray) of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.

The other day at our holiday party we had an unexpected guest. She arrived by Uber, walked into our space saying, "Oh my goodness, my palms are sweaty and I am so nervous to meet you."

Welcoming her in with big hugs, she felt more at ease and settled in. She told us, "I flew from Nashville to come to the holiday party. "

I have a morning ritual of drinking coffee, reading a couple chosen articles from the newspaper and if I’m lucky enough time to journal a few pages. This morning was one of those mornings. I probably came into this habit through observing my dad for so many years. He was an academic who was a fierce reader. Today, is the 5th anniversary since he went to heaven. And today, I feel he gave me a gift from one of his favorite newspapers to read, the Wall Street Journal.

Excited to be featured in Culture Map’s: Houston Ultimate Shopping Guide. Stylish Houstonians will be thrilled with the myriad options at the smaller style shops. Update your arm candy by stacking sandalwood and semi-precious gemstones…

Q: At twenty-four years old, your passion for cooking inspires many. How did you get into cooking?

A: I went away to college and had to eat dorm food my first year. I realized that my sophomore year it was a necessity for me to have a place where I could cook my own healthy food.

My intention and focus for these articles is to help parents build their emotional and physical capacity, whether that’s how to keep calm amidst chaos or tap into the pillars of great health. To learn how to nurture your connection first, which then radiates out to the entire family. To raise families who care — about themselves, about each other, and about the world around them.

Let’s get started. My first offering is all about how to create sacred space.

It was lots of fun doing this interview for one of my favorite magazines, Houston Family Magazine. I am excited to be launching my first article for a new monthly column in November. Stay tuned.