Protecting what’s been uncovered as winter arrives.

The bars are often self-imposed.
And the key?
It’s made of tiny acts of courage.
Of choosing wonder over numbness.
Stillness over hustle.
Truth over expectation.

Yes, there is scientific and psychological evidence that supports the idea that humans are innately wired to create — and not just for survival, but for meaning, expression, and connection.

Oddly enough, the more you zoom out, the more you realize how precious each moment is. Time is limited. So it’s worth being awake to it — to the wind, the laughter, the hard conversations, the good books.

I’ve always loved sunrise. It is, without question, my favorite time of day. There’s something sacred about being awake before the world stirs, watching the earth stretch and yawn itself back to life. The sunrise itself feels like hope incarnate: a daily promise of renewal. A chance to begin again.

Seeds don’t all sprout at once. Some ripen quickly, others take years, and a few lie dormant, waiting for the perfect season.

Yesterday I was knee-deep in tomatoes and zucchini, wondering what three people are supposed to do with a garden big enough to feed a small village. Somewhere between the grapevines and the cucumbers, I realized: life is the same way.

The seeds we plant—curiosity, courage, resilience, connection—don’t all bear fruit at the same time. Some burst forth suddenly. Some inch their way toward the light. Some wait quietly until the moment is right.

What seeds in your life are ripening now? What new ones are you ready to plant?

It made me wonder about the storms and blessings that arrive in my own life. Do I offer them only a tight, guarded space — or do I allow them to echo and transform me? The ripple will always take up the space we give it.

This morning’s walk carried the unmistakable feeling of fall. The air had that cool, crisp edge, and the sky stretched clear and wide. The mountains stood in silhouette, a deep solid shape against the brightening horizon.

We didn’t go far that day, and it took longer than I planned. But what we gained was something else entirely: a reminder that pausing is the point. That noticing is its own kind of journey.

They are morphing into this giant heap of dancing fiery oranges, golden yellows, and pumpkin oranges.  And this is all from a distance, down in the valley, from where I watch mother nature’s show.

There is magic in birdsong, if you allow it. It brings you into the present moment — gently pulling your attention away from the noise of the world and back to the now. Whether it’s a single Canyon Wren trill or a full sunrise chorus, these sounds encourage me to slow down, breathe deeply, and notice what’s around me.

This struggle between ambition and limitation serves as a poignant metaphor for the human condition. Dreams and desires are intrinsically tied to the circumstances that shape our lives; while we possess the power to ignite and inspire, we are often tethered to the realities of our environment.

A fire; powerful and mesmerizing, like a moth drawn to the light with an internal dialogue warning him no but he can’t resist.  If you get too close to it, you get burned.  Or you get an ember that shoots out and burns a hole in your sleeping your bag, or your coat.  Sending little warnings to remind us of its power for harm and destruction while at the same time us being immersed in the beauty of its display.

Rituals around a fire include bonding, silence, even with a group of people standing or sitting around the fire.  Not only is the fire dancing, but the people standing around the fire are also dancing as they shuffle spots all while trying to avoid the smoke as it shifts throughout the ritualistic gathering.