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In a world where we're conditioned to focus on the negative and lack, today I'm simply choosing joy. Here's a list of all that I've grown to love about quarantine so far: I love the slow and steady rise of morning; the moments when I open my eyes and remember there's no rush for me to dive into, no place for me to be, but the gift of time to ease into my day. I love the first scent of coffee brewing, the lingering taste on my lips while opening a book I always wished I had more time for before life so drastically changed. I love the birds singing in their choir outside, how I notice the beauty in their song, the freedom in their expression and how I too have a choice of what song I will sing. I love the peace that comes from solitude. I look around my home and realize how lucky I am to have everything be just as it is now: my plants soaking up the sun, the breeze coming in through the kitchen window, frames filled with memories of loved ones, art I've bought over the years that make this space my own, and the sounds of nature outside, beckoning me to mirror its patience. I love how I've reconnected with family and friends that I don't see or talk to that often, but through this isolation, have grown closer to even if through a screen. I love how I'm met with both the things I've taken for granted and all that I no longer want in my life. How amazing it is to have this time to pause and reflect on how I want to live my life going forward. I love that I realize how comfortable I am in my own skin and how I treasure the moments shared with only myself. This makes me want to deepen my connection to who I truly am and who I desire to become. I love that life will never be the same after this has passed and how that's a good thing. We all needed a break from the constant doing, the perpetual force forward with no awareness of the present. We are being awakened, we are being renewed, we are ascending into our highest selves. I love that I see things more clearly now, how I know the true value of time and how I've often squandered it by indulging in mindless tasks, and yet, it is through that squandering that I've learned how precious each moment is. I love that I can return to projects I always said I didn't have the time for but always wished I did. I now have time and I will no longer take it for granted. I love that every day rolls into the next somewhat feeling the same, but not the way a workweek felt before, rather there's more freedom in my choices despite the absence of places to go to. I've discovered that since there's essentially no real place or thing to escape into, there's unlimited potential when I turn within. I love that when the media can thrive on feeding fear to its viewers that I will forever choose to remain in the light, to not be led astray into darkened alleyways and places that offer no refuge, rather the refuge I seek is forever within. I love that I'm always choosing to stay here, in my own vibration of love, wholeness, serenity, and peace. I am always the home I can return to. I love that I will forever share this space I believe in, regardless of how others perceive me to be, for I know that my truth forever lights the path I walk upon. I love the gift of simply being. For I will just be. What are some of the things that you've grown to love or appreciate during this new time of your life? How can shifting your focus onto the opportunities that are forever present change your experience of quarantine? How can this perspective help others around you?

My latest meditation was created to remind you that all is always well and that you are the peace you are seeking. Listen to this before getting out of bed, before going to sleep or really any time you need to bring yourself back into the present and cultivate emotions that support you rather than bring you down. You are in control of how you feel; you are the creator of your life. I create these weekly reflective writing worksheets for my female mastermind and accountability group, A Night for Dreamers . They're meant to offer you the time and space to become present with yourself, to reflect on your thoughts and actions, to take a breath and pause and see how you truly feel about something, and to discover the next best steps moving forward. I hope they support you during these challenging times and inspire you to still choose love over fear, light over dark and gratitude over lack. Sending love <3

This is an old post of mine, but it's really resonating with me today. Can you challenge yourself this week to simply let yourself feel whatever is it you're feeling and not judge yourself for it? Just let go, feel and be as you are, right now in this moment? I always admired people with a strong exterior; those with the ability to tap in and out of their emotions on command, especially in times when something pressing or uncomfortable may be on their minds. How easy I’ve watched friends of mine who were going through some sort of emotional turmoil go out into the world and convey an image of happiness and security. Whether that image was genuine or feigned, they still managed to rise above their feelings and act out a different story. I’ve never been one of those people. I’ve always been an easy read, unable to put up the façade that my life was perfect in moments when it felt the farthest from it. And I’ve never liked that about myself, considering it to be one of my “weakest” qualities. Lately I’m beginning to think differently though. The word emotional in our world today often times has a negative connotation to it. We perceive a so called “emotional person” to be the most extreme of the definition; someone who may lack the ability to see things clearly; someone who is irrational or hysterical; someone overly passionate and excited. Somehow this word that is really defined by one’s connection to how they process their emotions has transformed into an Achilles heel; a trait undesired yet innate to all of us. What if instead of shutting ourselves off from emotion, we let it in? Here are five reasons why being a person in tune and connected to emotion is a positive and natural thing: 1)    We are all here to learn and grow as people. The only way we are able to do so is to experience a wide array of emotions, both on the scale that we consider to be positive and negative. Feeling those emotions to their full degree opens us up to wisdom and insight about ourselves. 2)    Being cut off from emotion doesn’t necessarily make one strong. In fact, it may indicate the opposite. Those who are willing to confront their feelings head on aren’t afraid to recognize the truth of a situation, and most likely will better navigate different circumstances in the future because of it. 3)    Emotions can act as intuition. We know how we truly think about things by how they make us feel. It is our own personal guidance system leading us to make decisions that are best suited and healthy for us. 4)    Most people who consider themselves to have no feelings (which isn’t possible), deep down wish they were able to be more open with themselves and others. Most of my friends who feel cut off from emotion admit they wish they allowed themselves to feel more degrees of it. 5)    The only things that are really real in this life are our feelings. Nothing else will matter at the end of our lives than how we felt throughout it, and how we made others feel. Whether you have labeled yourself as a feeler or not, we are all equal in that we are made up of the same things.  Instead of trying to overcome and get rid of emotion, our best route may be to just open up and embrace it.