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