Today is a day that even though cloudy and rainy is a celebration for me...and while I don't often share such things on my blog,  I am daring to publicly celebrate the entry into my 55th year! 

This is indeed momentous for  a) I never thought I would live this long (when you are in your teens or early twenties this feels ancient!)  and b) I could not have imagined feeling more alive than in my younger years. 

Yet here I am...hitting the double nickel and so excited to be "in life", healthy, in love and looking forward to continued growth and learning as I stretch myself beyond what I think possible. 

Aging is what happens to us all, every minute, hour and day.  While we might try to fight the outer signs of it...or resist letting anyone know we are really "that age", the fact is the alternative to aging is not something I wish to embrace!   Instead I embrace this glorious process with awe and amusement as I celebrate and honor all the years I have lived, the lessons I have learned, and hope for many years to follow.

A tidbit..for those who do not know, from a mystical perspective the number 5 (a prime number) is about balance, perseverance and transformation.  The doubling of this is a twofold blessing for when doubled...5+5 = 10, distilled down to the number 1, which is representative of my core essence...and given the double 5's...the transformation and balance that will emerge is sure to be profound! 

So I offer the possibility that each of us can shed the resistance to aging, embracing our blessings as we celebrate and honor our lives with each entry into a new year.

In my own life and the work I do with others as a relationship coach,  I am consistently reminded of the changing nature of our lives and our own personal growth.  It requires a conscious effort to remain connected to our own growth and that of those with love...looking with a "beginner's mind" at who we are waking up with and going to sleep with.    The most profound commitment we can make to another is that of constancy.  Constancy of our presence and constancy of an open and loving heart.  It is our ability to bear witness to our own and our beloved's changing self, with a compassionate presence, that allows for miracles to appear in our lives.  So today, take a moment and celebrate and marvel in the newness in your beloved and yourself!

In the work I do as a relationship, life coach and celebrant, I am always in awe of the potential created when we meet each other at the level of the heart.  Our heart connections offer us amazing possibilities for personal growth, experiencing the world and expanding our potential to positively impact others. 

We can often forget in the busy days of our lives to celebrate how a friend or loved one has changed our world.  So today I offer a lovely reminder in a quote by Anais Nin:

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world of possibility not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."  

If we can pause today and take a moment to acknowledge, honor and celebrate this with that special someone...be it friend, lover, companion, parent or teacher, we will actively nurture our hearts and souls. 

As a wedding officiant who focuses on meaningful and customized wedding ceremonies, I spend a great deal of time writing reflections for couples.  This is not necessarily a quick process.  Often I need to be still to uncover the words or metaphors that will capture what I sense about two people and their relationship.  It is in these moments of silence that a new "phrase" or concept will emerge that I have not explored before.  This happened during the last few weeks and I have been exploring it ever since! The metaphor that came through me was: "Artisan's of Relationship".  This felt quite powerful, for Artisans are "workers" who have a passion for their art...whether it be writing, weaving, painting, carpentry, engineering, etc.  They apprentice, study, and acquire great skill at their craft as they learn to be masters, and in the process create works that support, enhance, enrich and nourish our lives.  For those of us who have become artisans of our relationships, this is our sacred journey in life...to work, study and perfect our craft.  It is an ever unfolding journey that heals our lives.   The next inquiry for me: How do I live as an Artisan, and in what ways do I abandon my craft?  Please share your thoughts!

Emily Dickinson once wrote,

"If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain."

As I came upon this the other day, I was reminded that in a world so troubled, the smallest kindness can make such a profound difference.  Sometimes we forget that we can have an impact in a troubled world, but as Emily Dickinson so eloquently wrote, offering comfort and help to one person or living thing gives our life meaning and helps to heal the world. 

Peace and Blessings and may you pass a kindness or offer comfort onto another this week.

I came across this quote this morning; I paused, closed my eyes, took a deep breath in and allowed the words to seep into my being...when I opened my eyes a few moments later, I realized I felt softer and lighter.  I am not sure what it was I let go of in that moment, but ever since I have been smiling and feeling as if life is easier.  In this, I am celebrating the very life, that while fragile, is also wonderful and blessed.  So I share it with you and offer up the possibility to be grateful and celebrate this moment and day!

My good friend Deb came across this cartoon while she was on her spiritual thirst for knowledge.  Deb and I are soul sisters and we are both quite serious about self discovery, healing, our spiritual paths and serving others. 

We share this commitment with many people.  At the heart of all of us is a desire to heal, be whole and help others.  This cartoon is a terrific reminder that we can also approach life with too much seriousness, loosing track of the the capacity to bring lightness into our lives. 

So I include it today with a gentle reminder to us all to "lighten-up" as life will unfold organically and naturally if we can let go of the "doing" and "needing to get somewhere" and engage in the "being".

Thanks Deb for this terrific reminder.  For anyone interested in Deb's writings or work as a healer, visit her site

"The Goal of life is to die young - as late as possible. "

I came across this provocative quote in my travels, and as a person in a specific age group than I do not care to reveal, I must admit I totally agree!  Chronologically we are all going to grow older...the alternative is not a welcome thought by most of us, so why not do so with grace, enjoyment and a mindset that the possibilities that lie ahead are abundant.

Okay, I confess, I am going to be 55 in a few months, but I don't feel "old" or even "middle age".  Rather I feel blessed and excited each day I wake that I am healthy, strong, in love and filled with wisdom from years of experience.   This experience only came with age, and  allows me to focus on what is truly important, while not getting caught up worrying about the small stuff.  I may have my difficult days, where I am a bit sad, or tired, but in general it is my mind and heart that propels me to live each day to the fullest. 

When I was in my teens and twenties, I didn't necessarily do this in a conscious way.  It takes self love and conscious intention to accept all of who we are in the moment, with our limitations and our talents.  It is merely our thoughts that prevent us from remaining young at heart no matter what our age is.  So today I offer the possibility, that wherever you are in life, you can always remain young at heart and like the sunflowers, be upright and happy!

Today is the vernal equinox, or as most of us may know it the first day of spring! Equinox actually means equal night, while vernal means fresh, new, pertaining to spring.  So it is no wonder that on this day we have an opportunity to bring both balance and possibility into our minds, hearts and actions.

Just as some of you took the opportunity to celebrate and honor the winter solstice, with a ritual of turning inward and contemplating what it was you wanted to bring forth, now is the time to consciously seed your garden and put your intention into the world for that which you wish to reap & sow. 

As a possible ritual to do this, consider the following:

Spend a few moments outside today, in silence asking yourself, what are the three things you would like to create, achieve and/or nurture this spring.

Once you have them, jot them down on 3 pieces of small paper or you can find larger stones that you can write them on in marker.

If you have access to plot of ground, or garden, find a place to either rest your stones or to lightly bury your paper (the intention would be to dig these up in summer as not to soil the earth).  You might also decide to use containers to place the papers inside of instead of putting them in the ground.

If you don't have access to an area outside, find a special container(s) to use and place them by a window.

Now once again in silence, think about the ways you can bring more balance into your life and repeat the same process as above. 

Once you have completed this, visit this area for 2 minutes each day.  I like to do the am and pm myself.   This will help you keep these thoughts conscious and alive.

Enjoy Spring!

As my husband and I share a spiritual journey in the ongoing unfolding of our relationship, we have created a daily practice which allows us to commit each day anew to keeping our relationship front and center in our lives. 

We have been speaking our post wedding vow to each other for almost 30 days.  It has been sweet, meaningful and has kept us focused on what is important.  Today however,  I noticed a longing to add another moment of conscious and loving connection in our days. 

Speaking with Jamie over the phone today, I asked him what he thought about adding another practice into our day.  I could almost hear the smile across the phone line (he has been in NY for the last few days).  After he said absolutely, we tossed a few things around.  We decided that if we were to close the day with a simple statement of gratitude and love, then we would be able to awaken and rest in our relationship. 

Our statement goes something like this: "Thank-you for loving me and committing to our growth today. "
Whether these are the actual words we will speak, or they will get changed over the course of time, I do not know.  What I count on is that there are now at least two times per day when there is conscious and loving intention focused on "us".    Thank-you Jamie for being willing to nurture my heart!