I was 13 years old the first time I hosted a retreat. Okay, retreat might be a strong word. I’d come home from summer camp on such a high and knew that I wanted to share that feeling with my friends. Have you ever felt that way? You know you have a gift or talent. Maybe you can even see how you’re supposed to use it; and yet, you don’t feel totally comfortable walking in your calling. Give this exercise a try.

To me, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of year. As I sit here, I’ve got a fire roaring in the fireplace where my stockings are neatly hung, and the smell of balsam fir lingers in the air as the lights on my tree twinkle at me. It’s blissful. Why then, did this season previously give me so much anxiety?

At the beginning of summer, my sister bought a packet of wildflower seeds. She didn’t know what the end garden would look like but knew that with a little love and a lot of watering, the flowers would be beautiful.

Did I mention I took this crazy, little adventure to the magical island of Bali in January? Because I did. And it was life-changing. How, you ask? The Universe gave me 3 distinct gifts that transformed the way I live – perseverance, an awakening, and clarity.