Happy Thankful Thursday beautiful hearts!  Today in North America, we celebrate New Years Eve, but more importantly I celebrate my birthday!! (I like to think of it as a birth month!)  Today I turn 30 something...a lady never does share her weight or age.  So for all of you wondering, my drivers license will forever disclose that I am 26!

As I reflect back over this year, it was epic with love, adventure, knowledge, and travel!  I adopted One Republic's song, I Lived as my theme song!  It's much more fun to dance and sing your way through life.  Each year I like to chose a word that symbolizes what the upcoming year will signify for me.  For 2015, I chose the word DEVOTION.  The essence of this word has accompanied me throughout the year.  
​
Devotion means to have 'profound dedication.'  As I reflect on my dedication to this year, I smile thinking of all the experiences that have caused me to grow, change, dream, expand, and evolve.  

Devotion has brought me back to my center point, to my connection with God, with Spirit, with Mother Earth, and Father Sky.  Devotion has left me with such profound gratitude.  Devotion has asked me to grow in knowledge and humbleness.  Devotion has also asked me to let go of how I thought life was going to look, so that I could be present for the magnificence of the moment.

As I reassess this past year, I can say hands down that the Universe has showered me with extravagant amounts love.  I can't wait for all that is to come.  May this coming year bless your hearts in profound ways!  May you re-commit to your passions and bliss!!  

Stay safe and Happy New Year's Eve!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Wednesday loves!  May this day inspire you to release all that you have been clinging to.  The unnecessary struggle of grasping- grasping onto old beliefs, chasing relationships, shapeshifting to 'fit in', and releasing situations that you have outgrown.  As the end of 2015 draws near, may you take an honest look at the 'struggles' in your life, but more importantly, may you realize who is in the middle of the river celebrating with you.  We must thoughtfully open our hands in gratitude in order to receive the blessings and abundance of new energies.  Celebrate my friends.  Our sacred connection joins our hearts and lives together eternally.  

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Tuesday loves!  As I was shuffling through my inbox yesterday, I found this email from the Universe (a daily subscription site that sends thoughtful inspiration for the day).  As I read through the text, I couldn't help but smile.  It's funny how the Universe orchestrates the happenings of our lives.  The power of our thought can send us spiraling into a mindset of lack, or into a realm of abundance.  

When I re-read the final lines of this inspiration I found myself repeating the last several lines, "And therein lies their test.  A test of perceptions: of what to focus on, of what to believe in, in spite of appearances.  YOU  (insert your name here) are divine."

Being alive at this time in history is quite miraculous.  The advances of technology, health, and human development are astounding.  The rich lessons we learn during our time on Earth are revealed in cosmic and strategic ways.  As the Universe suggests, it truly is our perception that allows us to invest in lack, or invest in the plenty of experience.  

I know that I have had experiences throughout my life that will possess an eternal question mark, but after expressing a willingness to grow and learn, I find myself drawn towards the divinity of truly living and loving.  Our willingness to 'put ourselves out there' can be life taking or life giving.  A great philosopher shared, that where attention goes, energy flows.  

As 2015 comes to a close this week, maybe instead of setting a resolution, you can take inventory into all of the 'perceptions' that you are personally investing time and energy in?  If your go to line is "Life is hard and never works out for me," you can be sure that the Universe will match your perception and offer you life experiences that fall into these parameters.  How would your life review change if you didn't look at your experiences as 'losses,' rather as 'lessons?'   What if in the midst of your confusion you felt a grounded nature that connected you back into the powerful essence of divine love?  Guess what, you are divine love?!  Claim it sweetest hearts!!!  How can you bring 2015 to a close with this energy as you welcome in the energy of 2016?  

As I recently stood atop the Space Needle in Seattle, I tapped into the energy of the direction of North.  In the Lakota Indian tradition, the direction of the North is associated with the "harsh winds of winter.   If we have the ability to face these harsh winds, we will have learned patience and endurance.  The north represents the trials we must undergo for growth and cleansing."  Maybe this past year has left you with many trials in your heart, but can you harness that energy and perceive it as stamina for what's to come?  

When the day is done and the fog of confusion has left your thinking mind, where do you stand in relationship to your perceptions of life?  May you offer yourself space for exploration and compassion as you inquiry of this energy in your life.  And don't forget to remember your divine nature as you begin this inquiry!  YOU my dear are divine!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Monday beautiful hearts.  I hope that this past weekend infused your heart with warmth and gratitude.  As I sat with my mom in church on Christmas Eve, the minister spoke of the excitement of being a little girl and anticipating the presents underneath their family tree.  As Cindy reflected on these moments, it wasn't the presents she remembered, it was the fact that someone thought of her.  She recalled the traditional items that their family members received, but as she reminisced, she couldn't call to mind any one present in particular.  I pondered this notion as the service concluded and the church was aglow with candle lights.  Silent Night carried all of our prayers towards the most holy sky.  

Christmas was buzzing with excitement as Stella celebrated her first Christmas with us.  I'm pretty sure we were more excited than she was.  I situated myself throughout the day so that I could observe her interacting.  It would be an understatement to say that I adore her!  As I watched her soaking everything in, I wondered what she was thinking?  Could she feel our warmth and love for her small but enormous presence?  Her aliveness was contagious.    

As I reflect on our first Christmas with Stella, I feel like I understand this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh.  The best present this year wasn't underneath the tree, it was in the aliveness of this sweet girl.  Her presence truly made this one of the most memorable seasons.  She teaches me regularly to live in the moment and to honor the emotions of life.  Smile like you mean it.  Sleep like a dreamer.  Love and giggle like it's your job.  Cuddle often.  Always be curious.  Eat your veggies.  Live in the moment.  

As I reflect on this season, it wasn't any particular present underneath the tree that caught my attention, it was the kindness of my family that captured my heart.  I hope that Stella could feel this kindness.  I hope she knows that the best present she offers is the miracle of her being.  

​May this day inspire you to reconnect to the miracle of being alive!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

"Christmas, my child, is love in action.
​Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas."
~Dale Evans​

"Lord, You are the Light of Lights. You are the source of all lights. You are the Sun of Suns, Moon of Moons, Star of Stars. You are the light within and without. You are the Light of the enlightened. Kindly lead us from the darkness of ignorance to the light of understanding to realize the truth behind all these names and forms.

This is my prayer on this holy occasion.  

Every holy day should remind us of our inherent divine nature. At least on that holy day we should forget all of the man-made differences, even the differences that are seen in nature, and rise above these differences to recognize our spiritual oneness.

Don't just run after things. Look within. Experience that joy, that peace, that Jesus, that Moses, that Allah, that Mohammed, that Buddha. Use any name you want. That's my sincere wish for you. Think of that. Let this holy day bring this light into you so that you can celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, New Year, all the holy days all the time. You don't need to depend on a calendar, certain months, certain days, certain years. Everyday will be your Christmas. Every day you will be receiving gifts through your chimney. Santa Claus will be there with you always.

When the man begins to sight the glorious inner light, 
He drops all ego's fight, and knows the mission right, 
Does everything in delight and ever simply feels light. 
May the Light of Lights light our lives.
May the light of Hannukah be lit within you.
May the Christ light be born in you.
May the New Year dawn in you and bring a new life in the spirit.
May this holy season inspire you with peace and joy.
May God be with you."

​~The Golden Present~

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

"If you observe carefully, throughout nature you will find one common goal in everybody and everything—even in the atom. All are searching for happiness. In the case of human beings you see hundreds of efforts of various forms. The common purpose behind all these efforts is the search for happiness.

The goal is approached by many in different ways. Some people want to be happy quickly, so they take short cuts and get temporary happiness, but borrowed joy comes and goes. The happiness that we seem to be getting by our daily efforts is fleeting and mixed with a lot of troubles, worries, and unhappiness. Happiness cannot come without unhappiness before and after.

It’s better to say, “I am happy,” than, “I want to be happy.” The minute you say, “I want to be happy,” that very want disturbs the mind. And suppose the want is fulfilled? How many people go crazy over a small piece of paper, a stamp printed some one hundred years ago? They pay thousands of dollars to get that piece of paper. They give value to it and struggle to obtain it. If you are caught up in this, you’ll say, “I can’t be happy without the stamp.” So you pay the price. Then you say, “Ah, I got it.” It’s simple enough. First you said, “I want it.” After all the effort you say, “I got it.” Where are you now? The same place you were before you wanted it. Happy.

You were happy before you wanted the stamp. The moment you wanted it, you became unhappy. And the moment you got it, you were happy again. Where did the happiness come from? The thing by itself didn’t give you any happiness. You regained the happiness when you took the want back or when you fulfilled the cavity or depression created by the want.

When we finally tire of searching for happiness outside, we sit quietly and analyze and realize that true and lasting happiness can never come from outside. It can’t come because it simply is. You are Happiness personified. You are that Supreme Bliss. You are that Joy. You are the image of happiness. God is the one who is always happy, and you are the image of God.

When you forget your true nature and look for happiness in external ways, that is the basic ignorance. The aim of all the Yoga practices is to stop anything from disturbing the mind so that it can reflect the Peace and Joy that is your true nature."

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Wednesday loves!  As I was reflecting on this eighth day, I couldn't help but think of celebrating.  To 'celebrate' means to "observe or commemorate with ceremonies, to proclaim, to praise, and to perform with appropriate rites."  As awake and aware beings, we have a responsibility to celebrate the extraordinary task of living on this Earth.  Out of the simplicity of our experiences, we make meaning and connection.  What a feat to be alive at such a time.  

As you notice this season of your life, have you been celebrating?  Right now, can you squeal with delight for the blessings of this day, of this very second?  I just returned home from a professional training that continually challenges me to get in touch with my ability to celebrate the journey.  One of my instructors asked us to become aware of our ability to celebrate.  In order to do this, we must become observers of our relationship with celebrating.  Do you only reserve celebrating for special occasions, or is everyday an opportunity to offer praise?

It's easy to celebrate when life is sweet and full of blessings, but it becomes even more monumental when we are able to celebrate the rites and rituals of life.  From the visceral reactions of fear to the depths of sadness.  From the ultimate joys of love to the towering serenity of peace.  All emotions become a solid territory upon which to celebrate.  

As I reflect on celebration it comes to mean something very individual to the observer.  Celebrations occur in the tender moments of our lives.  These are the moments when we reclaim our hearts.  These are the moments when we tap into the limitless ceremonies of gratitude.

​May this day inspire you to celebrate and honor the seasons of your life! 

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Tuesday beautiful hearts!  On this seventh day of the 10 Gifts of the Season, I want to explore the notion of ingenuity.  This noun allows us the repeated opportunity to cleverly invent and resource our strengths.  In this season of your life, have you been able to identify the ingenuity that is present with you on a daily basis?  Are you able to tap into the astuteness of your dreams, even if you can't see the final result?  Do you have the gumption to invent your life as you walk this path?  

Hallelujah was originally written by Canadian born Leonard Cohen in 1984.  This track was on his record Various Positions.  In the American market, Sony pronounced it's lack of luster, and at it's very core, it wasn't 'good enough.'  Listening to an interview by Leonard Cohen he said that you have to put yourself out there because you 'can't command the consequences.'  

As you soak in the resourcefulness of his statement, can you notice the areas of your life in which you can be more clever?  The brilliance of man is contained in the authentic shell of his life.  Look down at your hands for a moment.  These hands are the only hands that will touch the genius that lives within your heart.  These hands will develop skills that help the world.  These hands will pray for peace.  These hands will hold lovers.  These hands will write the anthems of our hearts.  These hands are like no other hands.  Use them to create the brilliance of your life.  Even if no one hears or sees the brilliance yet, the Spirit is moving in you and you are learning to trust your inner knowing.  

During this season of life, may you cleverly and resourcefully bring your dreams into your everyday reality.  Nurture them.  Love them.  Become them, and then live them everyday!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah  

Happy Monday beautiful hearts!  On this sixth day of the 10 Gifts of the Season, I want to speak of the gift of patience.  

Patience is the ability to endure and remain open during the moments of our lives when it seems otherwise easier to withdraw and contract.  

As I think of patience, I can't help but think of nature.  Nature is always offering us glimpses of this invaluable gift.  Winter becomes a season of introspection.  We watch as the glistening snow sparkles into the first thaw of spring.  Spring delicately blooms and then fades into the heat of a summer day.  Summer dissipates into the cool days of fall.  Fall adorns our hearts with a patchwork of color.

As I walk out into the sunshine, I pause with my hands in prayer.  Nature touches my heart.  Nature always trumpets my spirit with joy.  I touch my physical heart.  Patience touches my spiritual heart and I breath into the questions. 

Can you feel the questions arising in your own heart?  Maybe these questions have been with you since the beginning, or maybe they recently arrived.  No matter their length, do you have the willingness to pause and dissolve into the practice of patience?  

Our lives are a series of patiently woven together moments.  Patience becomes the thread of connection that links us to a sacred pause.

As you move through this holiday season and into the New Year, do you have the patience to wait towards all that is unsolved in your heart?  As Rilke invites his readers, "love the questions themselves."   

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Friday beautiful hearts.  As I was organizing my list of the 10 gifts of Christmas, I found that this day contained an unrealized gift that probably all humans can connect to.  Initially I was worried about the topic, but then I decided that we could all relate in our individual and collective lives.  Today I want to talk about fear.  I'm not talking about fearing for one's life, rather the self imposed fear that we place upon our hearts.  

One of the gifts of this season is fear.  Fear might seem alarming or quite startling, but fear can be a great motivator and catalyst in our life.  Fear can offer us a wonderful way to lean into anxiety, depression, and grief.  

I was recently working with a colleague on several of my 'life issues' and during our time together, he looked at me, and said, "What is a gift that fear is offering to you?  

I looked back at him intently shaking my head and mumbled, "Nothing!  Fear leaves me paralyzed and stuck in anxiety."  

"Well Sarah, fear often has a gift for us, think of it like a built in resource, can you think of how fear helps you in your life?"

As I connected to this gigantic question, I tapped into my the potential gift or resource of fear.  "Fear has often helped me to be super organized."  

He softly smiled at me and nodded his head.  "That's a very interesting gift Sarah.  I'm so glad that you can recognize it."  

After my session with him, I pondered the resources that fear has innately built into my spirit.  I have much work to do, but I am eager to dive into this work so that I can move forward into the New Year with a lighter heart and a clearer mind.  Fear has a way of keeping us in limbo, but I am learning to soften in and experience the gifts of this friend.  

If you would've asked me last year at this time if I thought I would be befriending my 'fears,' my answer would've been heck no, but at this very moment I can feel all the way through the illusion and somewhere just past this paralyzed state, I see a woman determined to organize her life and accomplish her goals.  

As you move throughout this season and into the next year, I invite you to seek new ways of understanding the FEARS that have made themselves known in your life.  Maybe you are afraid to love, to fly, to laugh, to go outside, to sit with your raw emotions, but as Marianne Williamson so beautiful said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."  Role up your sleeves and tap into the natural resources of fear.   May you offer yourself kindness and compassion as you delve into the deep resources of your spirit.  Remember, we are truly all in this together.  

May you be blessed with a lightness of spirit as you shine your light!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah