I'm at my Aunt's but ready to write. This will be our only call this week, as I'm traveling to Vancouver Island today. If you're around and in or close to Victoria, @Ryan Clark and I would love for you to join us on Thursday at 10:00 at James Bay Cafe.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I am One with the Light of the Creator. That is what I wrote in my journal this weekend. According to the Kabbalistic wisdom I've been studying, we are entering a new year. And this is an opportunity to ask whether we are going to live another version of the same year—or become a new version of ourselves. My understanding is that the more disconnected we are from our Higher Self, the bigger the gap between who we are and who we are here to become. And our Cast of Characters can play a big role. —> Our doubter questions every decision. —>The perfectionist insists on another rewrite. —>The analyst keeps digging into the data, looking for the practical solution. —>And even our dreamer can keep us in the dream without taking action. So how do we start closing the gap? 1. Visualize the highest version of yourself. 2. See, sense, or feel yourself holding your book, speaking in front of people, leading the workshop, or creating the body of work you know is within you. 3. And then feel what it would be like to live as that person now. One teaching I've been sitting with is that our desires aren't something to push away. They can show us what we're being called to receive and create. And that brings me to my own desire. My dream is to create a living body of work that continues moving through other people. Sacred Writing is part of that body of work, and I've realized it's time for it to evolve too. Until now, our two weekly 30-minute Sacred Writing Sessions have been available free inside this community. Soon, they will become part of our $9/month Premium membership, along with immediate access to The Living Journal. And because Sacred Writing is something you need to experience rather than be told about, Premium will include a 7-day free trial. —> Seven days to come into the practise. —> Seven days to become present, listen, write, and notice what begins to emerge. —> Seven days to experience what happens when you give your own wisdom somewhere to land.

So much of what we practice inside The Language Portal begins with pausing to listen. We become present, and the noise quiets. We stop trying to force the perfect sentence and listen for what is already there. Next week, I’ll bring some of this work into a much bigger room when I speak at Elizabeth Ocean's Catalyst event. And look at the women we'll be learning alongside! Renée Warren, Kristen Boss, Kelly Roach, Anita Guerini, Lady JB Owen, and Elizabeth Ocean are the keynote speakers, and many more women will share their wisdom throughout the week. I'm excited to be part of it, and I'd love to have some Portal Pals in the room with me. If you'd like to join us inside, drop CATALYST below and I'll send you the link.

The smoke is as heavy as our hearts here in the Okanagan. I've been quiet these past few days as friends, family of friends, and 20,000 people have been evacuated on the west side of Okanagan Lake. There is a provincial state of emergency in BC. Please take a moment to pray with me for all the people, homes, and animals affected by the wildfires in BC and in the Okanagan, and just south of us in Washington and Oregon. I pray no more homes and properties are lost ... 230 in the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire (west side of Vernon), and they are not yet able to access the loss in Summerland due to the Bald Range wildfire. I pray stillness in the air remains and rain falls gently. My family is safe and while life is uncertain and our hearts are sad, life does goes on even amidst the chaos. I was able to spend time with my son and granddaughter yesterday, go shopping and attend a baby shower for one of my best friend's daughter. And since I was in West Kelowna, I visited another best friend. (West Kelowna is directly across the lake from me, and the fire storms are raging out of control North and South of the their community). The lay of the land is hard to wrap your head around. Before I moved to Kelowna and worked in the Toronto office, I was so confused by all the colleges in the Okanagan. They were all named Okanagan College ... Kelowna Campus, Vernon Campus, Penticton Campus, and Salmon Arm Campus. The Okanagan Valley is a region in South Central BC where Okanagan Lake is surrounded by mountains. It is a four hour drive from Kelowna to Vancouver with two high mountain passes between us. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Praying your Sunday is peaceful. Some of our smoke is from the wildfires in Washington and Oregon. Where are you in the world? Are you safe? Let us bring you into our awareness and prayers.

Grandby River, Grand Forks, BC Being off-grid for a long weekend with my best friends is always magnificent. So happy to celebrate my friend, Kath's birthday. 💜💜💜