With the holidays just around the corner, my weekly phone calls with my sister and mom have lately focused around where and when we will find time to celebrate the holidays together. It might seem early, but it’s nearly one month before Thanksgiving and two months before Christmas. Wow! And it’s going to be here sooner than we think! It’s time to plan parties and gatherings, and take time off work. (more…)

Ululating pan flute melodies, the sloppy, succulent taste of charred turkey drumsticks, and the unmistakable aroma of 21^st century mead and sweat-soaked linen: Welcome to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival! (more…)

Are you tired of doing the same ol’ boring thing every darn day? (more…)

I simply love my alone time!

A few years ago I wrote a blog about how important alone time was to me. And that feeling just gets stronger every day. At this point in my life alone time is imperative and essential to my well being. And I bet many of you reading this right now know exactly what I mean. (more…)

Despite the continuing struggle for total equality for all, we were are living in an age where we are more free to be ourselves more than ever before. We are more vocal when we are offended and are quick to right the wrongs. Injustice and unfairness is scarcely tolerated. (more…)

We made it to Utah! I have to say I am loving it so much so far. It feels so grounding here with all of the red earth around us. I have done a lot of hiking lately with my family and we have seen some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen!  I also have started teaching at a new studio, which I love so much. I have found my new tribe.  (more…)

It’s interesting to think about the historical timeline of opportunities. Past generations might not have even had the chance to go to college. Back then seeing a female doctor made people’s jaw drop and head spin. Many people did not know what they could be capable of; they lacked opportunity. (more…)

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and mine and my husband’s 6th wedding anniversary. How convenient was that for my husband? He got to kill two birds with one stone without much effort on his part – the lucky ducky.  (more…)

Sometimes life happens in unexpected, unwanted, horrific, and mentally-exhausting ways. I know we think that we are well-equipped to handle life when things are going good. However, when things lately turned south for me, I had to draw from my other life experiences to remind myself that everything is going to be OKAY. (more…)

Poetry is a life-cherishing force. For poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry.

-Mary Oliver

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Sadly, this is my last post as a member of the 2015-16 Vibe Tribe for Soul Flower. It’s been a fun year writing about things near and dear to my heart while wearing “cool threads for kind heads.” Renee (Social Media bud at Soul Flower) has been wonderful with her email reminders and her words of encouragement and her sharing of appreciation from the staff. And it has been fun learning a bit about my fellow Vibe Tribers from their posts. Mara, Melina, Alia, Samantha, Rachel and Liz – thank you. (more…)

“Though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea.” -Led Zeppelin

Whether or not circumstances are a vision we had in mind, there is always an underlying purpose awaiting its discovery. We may not feel too eager about every situation we find ourselves in, but we still need to build upon them. Sometimes life throws the most unexpected curveballs, and sometimes we wake up to find that nothing was the way we left it only a few hours prior. I found myself in this position several weeks ago when a life I imagined sharing disappeared overnight. (more…)

I started writing for Soul Flower one year ago. In that year I grew to love the clothing and the ethics behind this admirable company. I love the feel of soft organic cotton against my skin, pulling on my lightweight Three Pines Yoga Hoody before heading out to the grocery store or after a Kundalini class, and keeping warm with the Eco Beanie as I walk the dog through the winter woods. (more…)

She sat on an old wooden stool, smoke weaving around her jet black hair, as her voice captivated the entire room. Just a girl and her guitar, pouring her soul out to the world in a little pub on the island of Bali. She sang with such conviction – passion – understanding. I was mesmerized. (more…)

I’m not a big New Year’s Resolution person because I feel that we can start a new resolution at any time, but given the time of year, I am making it a point to completely surrender to my yoga flow in 2016. (more…)

When I joined the Soul Flower Vibe Tribe last February, I had no idea what was in store for me. At first, I believed that yoga, peace, strength and everything that Soul Flower stands for would be a colorful addition to my active life (more…)

My very first String Cheese ‘Incident’ took place October 29-30^th, 2004 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. I was only 16 years old. String Cheese symbolized more than just a band before I even had the opportunity to attend one of their shows. (more…)

The Lotus flower is something that is very dear to me.  It was one of my first tattoos and symbolized personal growth for me. It represented me learning how to look at life with a more open heart and soul. (more…)

When my kids were young, I took them to an amazing dental practice. This particular dental practice had always struck me as the most enlightened of pediatric affairs. (more…)

Living in a small town can often feel stifling, and sometimes it’s a struggle trying to keep it from getting to you. If I’ve learned anything from my experience residing in the remote lands of Southern Illinois, it is it only takes a short drive and a little exploring to find an adventure filled with inspiration. (more…)

I’ve been trying to think of thought as clouds. My husband heard something about that one day at work; someone who owned the most successful car dealership in America came in and did a talk about how he kept his employees happy, truly happy it seemed, and this was the key to his success. (more…)