Happy Friday beautiful hearts!  Today on the blog as I reflect over this past year, I find myself full of gratitude for all of the moments of living.  2016 was bathed in broken-heartedness, sky scrapers of monumental joys, occasions of standing still, moments of anger, stages of awareness, electrically charged opinions, births of new understandings, and etheric songs of connection.  As I sit with all of my new found awarenesses over this past year, I find myself content to review and name some of the life lessons that were profoundly delivered to the inbox of my heart.  Here are just a few of my lessons, I hope that they inspire you as you peer into the last days of 2016.  Take what resonates and leave the rest.  These lessons came from asking the rich "philosophical questions" about the journey, sitting with lessons from my teachers, and reaching into the pain and joys of living.  

• "In order to have pain, you have to know what is missing." Lorraine- My beautiful soul friend Lorraine offered me this image in a session together and I have been sitting with it as a child might sit with a new awareness of the world around them.  She encouraged me to know that what's missing is standing right beside us.  If this year has brought tears to your eyes and your heart has felt grief, it is only because you know that joy is standing hand in hand with your grief.  We know this grief because we know our capacity to experience joy.  My heart knows that this will be a lesson throughout the years.  But for today, I feel grateful to be aware of what is missing and to know that its opposite is standing right beside it.  

 

• "Each one of us has a deep connection to the Divine." Lorraine- We each carry within us the Divine form.  Whatever you name that Divine form.  From the time of our inception, we carry a connection from the supreme being into our Earthly awareness.  We perhaps find our self disheartened that our physical reality never comes close to embodying this perfection, but we each get to embody that perfection by being our Divine unique expression.  Not seeking it from another, but from going within and unfolding the possibilities of our unique hearts.   I envision 2017 as a year full of encounters with the Divine parts of myself and the world around me.  

 

• "All of nothing thinking creates pain."-It's all one thing or another.  How many times this year did this thought occur?  As I pause and look at this amazing teacher, I am again in awe of all the information this statement offered.  Information from diets to relationships.  One of my teachers shared this year that "Pain is reality, suffering is a choice."  And so over this year, I have noticed as I have worked with my teachers that we can become addicted to this type of all or nothing thinking.  As I move towards 2017, I am excited to more clearly follow my inner knowing and create different experiences for myself, to find a balance and to encourage others to find this sense of balance for themselves.  

 

• "Find what you love, love what you find,"  - I have this sticker quote on my vision board and am reminded that as I have moved towards finding what I love, I am loving what I am finding.  I've always had a fear of not fitting into the external worlds constructs-the time honored traditions, the expectations, the addiction of being accepted by others.  But, this year, I have been creating my own internal constructs with the support of my mentors, friends, and community of like minded-people.  I am a writer and I am planting that vision for 2017, like my grandfather planted his gardens.  With certainty and conviction, I know this to be true about myself.  I need not prove this to anyone, I simply need to celebrate this and write.  As we celebrate our gifts, we give others opportunity to celebrate their gifts.  As I love what I find, I find a trail of happiness leading me to the next opportunity of thriving, not merely surviving.  Bring it on 2017!

 

• "I am Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave - These lyrics really sum up my personal work this year.  Releasing shame, regret, guilt, and other lower vibing emotions.  Feeling grateful for knowing that I truly am not who I used to be.  "Bound up in shackles in all of my failures, wondering how long is this going to last?  Then you look at this prisoner and say to me son, stop fighting a fight that has already been won.  I am redeemed.  You set me free.  So I'll shake off these heavy chains and wipe away every stain.  I'm not who I used to be.  I am redeemed."

 

• What are my opinions and where did they arise from? A very wise friend of mine shared that opinions can be a way that our mind atrophies.  I never thought of it in this way, but when I mouth off my opinions, its like I'm playing an old record.  I keep hitting the same grooves of the record.  I never had this awareness until this year, and it is an awareness that I have to continually re-visit.  Often times these opinions are not me.  Opinions are a chance for me to ask, is this truly how I feel?  Have I imitated my opinions from those I love most?  Such a rich landscape full of exploration.

 

• Have I loved well?  The Buddha reminds us to continually ask this question.  Have I loved well this year?  Have I held back?  Have I contracted my heart?  Have I lived in ways that are congruent with my authentic nature?  As I peer inside my heart, I find myself so excited to love and express love.  Over this past year I have become clear about what love is and what love isn't.  My definitions have shifted and my insights have changed.  Love isn't loving someone if they, (fill in the blank).  Love isn't controlling another person.  Love isn't belittling someone.  Love isn't turning over the responsibility of my life to another.  Love isn't losing yourself for another.  So many other lessons that love has taught me, but the greatest lesson love has taught me is to love myself enough to 'Do my work,' so that I can be more fully present to love myself and the world around me.  

I could write a book about the personal lessons I learned this year, but I will leave the list at its present length.  I feel so much gratitude and love.  For all of the new insights that I have been molding into my realities.  For all of the people who have supported and loved me.  For all of the joy that is yet to come.  I am wishing each and every one of you profound joys for the year ahead.  May you tenderly review the past year of your life and embrace your journey with compassion and kindness.  Let go of what no longer serves you and invite in the new.  Cheers to 2017 my friends!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Thursday beautiful hearts!  My eyes are brimming with gratitude today as I take in the world around me!  The familiar sights, the wildfire of color, the exquisite majesty of nature, the face of a lover, the smile of a babe, and the many shades of love are all swirling with delight.  I let out a giggle as I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for the ability to see the world in such a profound way.

Yesterday I had an appointment with my eye doctor and I was again reminded of how magnificently we are designed.  As I waited in the doctors office, I reminisced about the first time I met Dr. M.  I was sure I was still in the single digits of my life.  As he walked in, I felt my heart skip a beat as I felt his kindness enter even before he did.  He greeted me with a gigantic smile and twinkly blue eyes.  His hair has changed over the years, but I could still see the blonde haired, blue eyed doctor who had taken care of me and my family for so many years.  

"Sarah, how are you?  How was your Christmas? he exclaimed"

We caught up with each others lives and then I asked him when I had first seen him.  As he leafed back through my chart, he found that it had been back in 1991, at the beginning of his career.  "Wow," he sighed.  

"I just have to tell you Dr. M, I am so grateful that you have taken such good care of my family and that you are such an of the heart doc!"  

"Well, Sarah, I always loved physics and anatomy and I knew I wanted to be a doctor, so the magnificence of being an ophthalmologist just blew my mind.  To know how we truly see just leaves me in awe."  

He went on to explain this process and it was truly astounding!  "And all of the advances in medicine bring about such changes and growth, it truly is a fascinating field."

I thanked him again, and he reminded me that it takes very little on our parts to make another's day, and that I had made his.  He for sure made mine.  He thanked me for making his job seem less like a job.  As we both got up, he asked if he could give me a hug, and I exclaimed, YES!  

This interaction reminded me again of the beauty of our sight.  We behold many images, moment, joys, sorrows, trials and opportunities throughout our life.  We love babies into the world and marvel at their features.  We hold the hands of those we love as they transition from this world.  We see grace.  We see anger.  We see peace.  We see union.  We see possibilities....We see the great adventures of our life.  And all the while our bodies so majestically designed translate these images into moments and memories.  

Today and always I am so grateful for my sight...for the wild crazy beauty that is all around.  For the moments of agony that have been burned into my mind, and for the brilliant offerings of love that make me jump for joy.  May you see the beauty of your life.  Awake and aware!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Tuesday beautiful hearts!  As we begin the last week of December, there is a certain magic in the air.  A contemplative stare over the calendar pages of this past year.  The days are growing longer as our dreams soar towards the warmth of the sun.  We commence our solitude and retreat with winter as we plan for the enchantment of spring.  The magic of new beginnings, as we willingly let go of what no longer serves us. The patterns of nature become our escorts through the seasons of our lives.  Each new season offering us a treasure of hope and resilience.   

​Our resilience comes with a curious nature as we peer into the moments of our lives.  These moments are imperative to our growth.   As I look back over this past year I find myself gazing into the magnanimous moments of living.  In these spaces, there are no judgements.  There are only times when I have said yes, and times when I have said no. In those expansive YES moments, I hope to glean a better understanding of what motivated me to move with grace, conviction and ease towards my desired goals.  I feel my body arching and opening towards all that serves it.  And in those moments when I contracted towards my no, I am curious what non-illuminated part of myself felt it needed shelter, condensing, and constriction.  

I was talking with a friend today and he shared with me that he was looking to go on the greatest 'Quest' of his life in the upcoming year.  He remarked that he was totally saying a whole hearted YES to life.  
He smiled sheepishly and said, "Sarah, there is a big difference between being on a journey in life and being on a quest."  
I smiled back at him and waited for further instruction.  
"A quest is a search or pursuit of something, whereas a journey is a traveling form one place to another with no real end in mind."  
"Brandon, I love it, I exclaimed!  This is so brilliant!"

So my friends as you gaze over 2016, what nuggets you can take with you into 2017?  How would your life change if you looked at your life as a grand quest instead of wandering without purpose and passion?  What is one thing that you could do today that would help you to move towards the amazing energy of your life?  As you notice what you are searching for in 2017, perhaps begin to entertain that it may very well be searching for you.  If you are on a quest for love, then be love.  If you are on a quest for abundance, then be abundant.  If you are on a quest for joy, then be joy.  If you are on a quest to be creative, then create.  

May 2017 offer you many opportunities to pursue your passions and re-align with your purpose.  Say a hearty YES to this upcoming year!  

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Friday beautiful hearts!  No matter how many years go by, this movie always takes me back to being a kid and experiencing the magic of this season.  May your presence and joy come from those near and dear to your heart!  Wishing you all a blessed and beautiful celebration with those you love!  
​
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Thursday beautiful hearts!  Today I want to speak of one of the most precious gifts we can give ourselves...in this season of giving and receiving, we are invited to tap into the transforming gifts within ourselves.  This gift is sometimes tidily packed in amongst the walls of our hearts, and other times it can present as a tornado, clearning out the bullshit, and drama.  It can rip through our lives with honesty and grace.   It is raw.  It is real.  There isn't any bullshit where this gift is concerned.  At its essence, this gift is life giving.  So what is this gift I am about to share?  

This gift was recently shared with me by one of my mentors and teachers.  As I sat facing Diane, I found myself searching for a question to ask her and as I found my words, I whispered to her, "How can I heal this relationship?"  She closed her eyes and began her channel from Spirit.  "Awe sweetie, this isn't about you healing this relationship, this is about you healing yourself."   I felt the tears sting my eyes as I felt somewhat relieved.  It really isn't about the 'other.'  It is about us having a willingness to do our own work and heal the dark parts of our hearts.  We all have them, the dark and the light.  She continued, "Everything that you are looking for them to validate within you, you need to validate for yourself.  If you want them to be proud of you, you need to be proud of yourself.  Love yourself sweetie, because it isn't about them loving you.  Do you understand?"  Her eyes opened and she looked at me lovingly.  "Keep your heart open, keep the love flowing, and always love yourself."   I felt within my beingness an energetic shift.  A sigh from my spirit. An exhale of release.   

Who hasn't been in relationship to another where it becomes easier to point the finger and say, "You need to change,"  or "I thought you were going to be this way?"  This work keeps teaching me that my reaction to another is where my work lies.  As long as I expereince this reaction, I know I have work to do.  Perhaps it is healing old belief systems, changing old conclusions, healing shame, guilt and anger.  As I hold the memory of my time with Diane in my heart, I know where my work lies and I also know that this is the greatest gift I can offer myself.  Everything that I am looking for another to give me, I must give myself.  

As I look around my apartment at the gifts under the tree and the wrapping paper decorating my floor, I am reminded that some presents just can't be wrapped.  Experiencing the self full of love will be one of my favorite presents this year.  I know that this is a lifelong journey, but as I offer this present to myself, I also offer those around me the opportunity to do the same.  As Ghandi reminds us, "Be the change you wish to see."   

Keep your heart open.
Keep the love flowing.
And always love yourselves....

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Wednesday beautiful hearts!  I truly love this excerpt from Liz Gilbert's book, Big Magic more than words can say!  Everytime I read this passage I feel inspired to decorate my life in the most gorgeous way!  I hope that you find inspiration in her words as well:).  It truly all is just temporary...
May You Sweetly Seek
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

TEMPORARY TATTOOS, TEMPORARY LIFE…

Dear Ones --
I know a woman who gets tattoos all the time. She acquires new tattoos the way I might buy a new pair of earrings. She wakes up in the morning and announces, "I think I'll go get a new tattoo today." If you ask her what kind of tattoo she's planning on getting, she'll say casually, "I dunno….I'll figure it out when I get to the tattoo shop. Or I'll just let the artist surprise me."

Now, this woman is not a teenager. She's a grown woman with adult children, and she runs a successful business. She's also really cool, uniquely beautiful, and one of the freest spirits I've ever met.

When I asked her how she could mark up her body so casually and so permanently, she said, "Oh, but you misunderstand: It's not permanent! It's temporary."
Confused, I asked, "You mean, all your tattoos are temporary?"

She smiled like a sexy rock 'n roll Buddha and said, "No, honey. My tattoos are permanent — it's my BODY that's temporary. And so is yours. We're here on earth for a very short while. I just want to decorate my temporary self as playfully and beautifully as I can, while I still have time."

I love this so much, I can't even tell you.

I myself am not covered with tattoos. (Although I do have two of them. Before I went traveling for Eat, Pray, Love, I had two words written into my forearms in white ink: COURAGE and COMPASSION.) But I do want to live the most vividly decorated temporary life I can. I don't just mean physically. I mean emotionally, spiritual, intellectually. I don't want to be afraid of bright colors, or big love, or major decisions, or new experiences, or risky creative endeavors, or sudden changes, or even great failure.

BECAUSE IT'S ALL JUST TEMPORARY.

So let's try to be a little more playful with ourselves, OK?

How do you want to decorate your beautiful, transient self? Your beautiful, transient world?
HEART,
LG

Happy Tuesday Beautiful hearts! For as long as I can remember I have always been a pretty 'feely' girl, or sometimes even labeled 'sensitive.' I have most often had a sense of 'knowing' things, ' of becoming 'fatigued' by others energy, of loving nature and puppies, and always a good day dream. So what do all of these items potentially have in common?

According to The Wellness Institute, these are just some of the characteristics of being an 'empath.' Over the past several years, being labeled an empath has been all the buzz. According to Psychology Today, "Empathy is the experience of understanding another person's condition from their perspective. You place yourself in their shoes and feel what they are feeling. Empathy is known to increase prosocial (helping) behaviors. While American culture might be socializing people into becoming more individualistic rather than empathic, research has uncovered the existence of "mirror neurons," which react to emotions expressed by others and then reproduce them."

It wasn't until I recently attended a training that I was able to see how much I fit into the category of being an empath. There's more to the label of being 'sensitive.' Here are just a few of the common traits that empaths possess according to The Wellness Institute:

• Knowing-empaths just know things without being told. It's a knowing that goes way beyond intuition or gut feelings.
• Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets, or stadiums where there are lots of people can fill the empath with overwhelming emotions that are coming from others.
• Always looking out for the underdog (Rescuing): Anyone, human or animal who is suffering in emotional pain or being bullied draws an empath's attention and compassion.
• Addictive Personality: Alcohol, drugs, sex, and food are some of the addictions that empaths turn to, to block out the emotions of others. It is a form of self protection in order to numb all the pain they have emotionally and physically taken on from others.
• Need for solitude: An empath will go stir-crazy if they don't get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathetic children.
• Always looking for the answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions can be frustrating for an empath and they will endeavor to find an explanation.
• May choose not to buy previously owned items such as antiques vintage or second-hand: anything that has been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner.
• Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on how an empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the world. They can be prone to mood swings and if they've taken on too much negative energy from others, they will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable.

These are just a few characteristics of empaths. There is a lot of information online about empaths, so I encourage you to check it out. If you recognized yourself in any of these common characteristics, then perhaps you are an empath. And speaking from my own experience it was quite liberating to explore these themes in my life. I wish you much curiosity and joy as you delve into your search.

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
​Sarah

Happy Friday beautiful hearts!  Today I am celebrating the wonder and joy of my beautiful niece!  She continually reminds me to remain present to the wonders and joys of life.  She encourages present moment awareness.  She reminds me to experience my feelings and to express them.  And then in the next breath to dig back into life-explore, remain curious and charge forward fearlessly.  She reaches up in wonder, she dances in celebration, she mimicks with certainity, she tests her independence, she gives 'smooches' and she loves in unbounded ways!  

This little one has touched my heart in the most profound of ways.  I've never been around a child since their birth and I can say hands down, her presence has changed me and grown my heart in such amazing ways.  I pretty much just love and adore her.

Happy Thursday beautiful hearts!  I am so grateful for this new TV show, This Is Us.  The ensemble of characters, the weaving together of past and present, the realness of life events...all of these themes and so much more is contained within Tuesday nights.  If you're not already reserving your Tuesday nights at 9, you have until January 10, when the winter break is over to catch up on the happenings of this amazing family.  Hopefully this clip will get you hooked!  

May you remember that the events of your life are so beautifully chorographed...right down to your deepest sorrow.  This scene reminds me that making lemonade is truly an artform.  

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah