The joy I experienced was as I was walking into my PT's practice, which was a good reminder to ground myself into being present for the session. I had multiple things rolling around in my mind, and it was a challenge to keep those at bay during my workout. But my last routine was on a leg press machine that faced a small embankment that was overgrown and browning as all the leaves died. Nothing special, but as I was doing my exercises, a breeze ran through and pushed the leaves around in a beautifully lyrical way, and I was mesmerized. My breathing seemed to match the rhythm of the leaves and in that moment I was completely present. Such a gift!

If my house guests leave early enough I'll be there on the 28th! And for last week's Mojo Monday, I have been much more intentional about finding moments where I can turn mundane activities into meditation (this week: vaccuuming, teeth brushing, and during prescribed PT exercises), and I have begun journaling more frequently again. There has been a lot of overwhelm recently, and even just stopping to take three deep breaths (pausing at the top and bottom, with a longer exhale) has felt like a solid meditation, and has resulted in more calm and focus. 🙏

@Monica Downen While I can't join what sounds like a wonderful gathering, I am grateful for the reminder that it's almost Solstice! I've been so entrenched in work deadlines that I lost track of the actual date. Thank you!

i found myself pausing a bit with this, even though I ask the question (I rather prefer asking questions I don’t necessarily have an answer for myself!). In the decade I worked in theatre (on the production side), almost my complete wardrobe was black, and it’s still definitely in rotation today. I think it’s a comfort color for me. I’m trying to think of what draws me to my favorite pieces- some is color, some pattern. Not a lot of pattern, but I love movement and visual texture. I like natural earth tones, but also some of the colors of fall- changing leaves/jewel tones. All that being said, I feel like purple is my power color, and I do find myself wearing it when I feel a need for extra courage of my confidence!

@Glen Paris I have to say I my first (and lasting) reaction to the Pantone color of the year, and their explanation, has been ‘meh’. To me it doesn’t inspire any of what they said- I see a rather canvas that lacks depth. It could be a highlighting element to other colors, but I don’t feel drawn to it by itself, because of the lack of color. But one good thing that has come out of the discussions about the Pantone pick (for me) was discovering the Color Marketing Group. They put out their forecast of key colors around the globe, rather than just one color. (Color marketing.org/blog) I loved the picks for 2025, and having just discovered them I may use them as inspiration going into 2026. The forecast for next year is a bit more subtle, but I like them still because they have their own body and texture.

I love journaling, but I have a very sporadic practice. During the Pandemic, I started reading the Substack Isolation Journals by Suleika’s Jaouad, and I join in on occasional online journaling sessions. Last year, she released The Book of Alchemy, which is a journaling guide by way of a series of prompts (many that she shares at Isolation Journals). I’ve been working my way through, loving the varied directions the different prompts inspire in my writing.

@Margo Hammond The Isolation Journals is a wonderful community!

@Heather Kohlmeister That’s having the courage of your convictions!

@Liz Fab Love is the answer!