I was guided to pull a card this morning from the Loving Words from Jesus deck, and this message came forward: "Love one another as I have loved you." — John 13:34 For some people, the name Jesus can carry complicated feelings because of past experiences with organized religion. I completely understand that, and many of us in this community have walked that path in different ways. When I reflect on Jesus as a sacred guide, I look through the lens of love and compassion - what many people today call "Christ Consciousness" - the practice of meeting the world with empathy, forgiveness, and care for one another. At its core, this message is simple and universal: Love others. Lead with compassion. Treat people the way the way you would like to be treated. This was a great card to have pulled in my opinion as it invites us to show up in the world with a little more kindness and a little more heart. May today bring you moments of joy, and may you share that joy with the world.

Yep - you read that one right… We woke up this morning to the smell of a skunk. My husband reached over and said, “Jen - do you smell that?!” And comically enough, I got excited because our skunk friend is back! (I had totally forgotten about their mating season, which threw us for a loop last year when we couldn’t understand why it kept showing up in our fenced backyard… but here we are again.) Our windows aren’t open, so you can imagine how strong the scent is. That, and I have a sensitive nose. My mind immediately started running through possibilities - was she in our backyard area (it’s fenced but if neighborhood cats can slide in, then a skunk possibly could). Was she startled by our neighborhood cat, SmokeDog, who likes to come up to the window and say hello to my two indoor cats? Or are they just in the backyard foraging for something? We don’t have much to offer other than bird seed. Regardless, I felt like it was time to look into the skunk and learn more about its spiritual connection. Check out these pics for more info, including the root chakra connection, themes of self-reliance, self-defense, and awareness. Sometimes a skunk appearance can be a reminder to step into your own power. Any animal hellos coming in for you over the last few days?

Today is Pi Day (3.14), celebrating the mathematical constant π connected to circles. Full transparency - math has never really been my thing. I tend to get lost in it pretty quickly. 😄 So I asked ChatGPT whether Pi Day could have any connection to spirituality. The interesting piece was this: π is an infinite number that never repeats, and it exists because of the circle. Across many cultures, the circle has symbolized unity, wholeness, cycles of life, and eternity. It made me wonder about the bigger picture… the patterns in nature, sacred geometry, and the possibility that math is one of the languages describing how the universe is structured. (I hate math but love patterns and nature for sure - so do I really hate math or just don’t understand it?) Since math is definitely outside my wheelhouse, I’m curious to hear from others on this topic and feel free to teach me more about Pi! Have you ever come across connections between math, sacred geometry, nature, or spirituality?

Friday the 13th gets a bad reputation, but in many traditions the number 13 represents transformation, renewal, and powerful feminine energy. It’s actually a beautiful reminder that the energy of any day reflects what we bring to it. If you approach it with curiosity, gratitude, and intention, it can become a day of luck, insight, and opportunity. Like most things in life, you tend to receive the energy you invest - so why not make today a lucky one? How do you feel about Friday the 13th?

We’ve officially crossed 55 members, and it feels like the perfect time to begin a new tradition - welcoming our newest members as they join the community. The Rise & Align Lounge is a space created for people who want to share, teach, learn, and grow together. It’s a supportive environment for meaningful conversations, personal alignment, intuitive development, and real-life insights. To our new members - we’re so glad you’re here! There’s absolutely no pressure to jump in right away. Feel free to explore the space and get comfortable. When you have a moment, two great places to start are: 📌 The Welcome Video pinned at the top of the community - it provides a quick overview of the space and how to make the most of it. 🎓 The Classroom Tab - this section includes a growing library of complimentary and low-cost video-on-demand courses designed to support continued learning, personal growth, and exploration. For our current members, let’s extend a warm welcome! Drop a quick hello below so our newest members can feel the supportive energy of the community. Join me in welcoming in: @Jenna Mouritsen @Maria Leah Diamante @Bryony Blood @Katie Ann Lutshesko @Kimberly Stinard