The Quote That Changed Everything + A Ritual to Transform Your Day

This morning, I woke up with some aches and pains. My first instinct was to complain—until I remembered something profound I read recently:

“Instead of lamenting that your body is no longer what it was at 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60, imagine you’re visiting from the future and appreciate your ‘younger body’ as it is today.”

Wow. You will never be as young as you are right now. So why not cherish this moment?

This small shift cracked open my perspective, reminding me to view the ordinary as extraordinary—something Maria Popova so beautifully wrote about in The Marginalian. She shared a reflection on casting a spell against indifference—and you all know how much I love a good ritual!

So today, I want to share a simple yet profound practice I learned in Hawaii over 30 years ago.

The Gratitude Walk

How to Begin:

Decide how much time you’d like to spend on this ritual—5 minutes, an hour, or even an entire day.

The Practice:

• As you walk, bless everything and everyone you encounter.

• Bless your shoes for carrying you comfortably.

• Bless the flowers for their beauty and fragrance.

• Bless your clothes for their protection.

• Bless the birds for their songs, the dogs for their loyalty, the trees for their quiet strength.

• Bless strangers as they pass—send silent well-wishes to each one.

And if you happen to see someone you don’t particularly like? Bless them too. As my shaman friend once said, “Bless them for exhaling carbon dioxide that feeds the plants.”

Why It Works:

As we bless others, we elevate our own energy. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to indifference, transforming how we see and experience the world.

I’d love to hear what you’re grateful for this week. Drop me a note or share your own blessings on social media!

Winter Solstice: A Time for Magic

This week, we step into the sacred portal of the Winter Solstice—when the longest night gives way to growing light in the Northern Hemisphere. This ancient turning point is a reminder: even in darkness, new energy is born.

Stay tuned for a special Winter Solstice Ritual on my Facebook and Instagram this Friday.

Let’s walk into this season with open hearts, eyes full of wonder, and a renewed appreciation for life’s simple miracles.

With gratitude,
Barbara

The Energy of the Super Full Moon in Aquarius 🌝✨

Here comes the last super full moon of 2022. Because this moon is in Aquarius, it is really a time to think out-of-the-box and to let go of the self-imposed limitations that you've put on yourself and open to the new and unexpected.

Did you know that the ancient Olympic Games which honored the god Zeus started on the full moon in August and were held every four years?

Many years ago, I found myself in Athens on the August full moon. I had no idea that it was such a special evening in Greece. Luckily for me, my friend Agapi had introduced me to her friend Radu, who generously invited me and my friend Linda to go to the Acropolis with him late that night. He was very mysterious about what would happen, so I truly had no idea what to expect.

To see the brilliant white marble of the Acropolis glowing in the moonlight was magical. I was also struck by the fact that people honored this night by walking silently, sitting, and doing prayers and allowing the inspiration of this magical place to wash over them. No one was talking on their phone; no music was playing, no loud voices could be heard above a whisper. it was as if everyone realized they were walking on sacred ground.

In North America this full moon is traditionally called the sturgeon moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer. Sturgeons represent resilience and strength, and perseverance of spirit that all of us could use at this moment.

On this full moon, no matter where you are in the world, take some time to stop and open to all the blessings that are in your life at this moment. This is a time to focus on what you truly have in your life. Remember gratitude builds gratitude, compassion creates compassion, and love creates love.

Until next time,
Barbara