Hi Reader

This past weekend I was away on retreat, and honestly, it was such a wonderful time. And even though I led seven sessions, I came home with a full bucket. In our last session, before we all departed, I asked the group this question: when Monday morning comes, and the chaos of life comes rushing back at you, how are you going to tend to yourself and your energy?

Then Monday came for me too. And let me tell you, it was one heck of a challenge not to get swallowed up.

Last week, I'd taken Thursday off to prep and Friday to pack and travel, which meant Monday hit hard. It was a slap in the face of the back-to-the-grind. And I had to catch myself, more than once, getting pulled right back into the hustle and overwhelm of it all.

I'm telling you this to remind you that I'm not perfect. In fact, I am very human. A sensitive human at that. And even though I embody the practices I teach, I still struggle at times to keep myself from getting overwhelmed and overrun. Some days I have to work really hard to stay the course, to stay calm, and not lose my sh!t.

And yesterday, I really had to remind myself to just breathe. And that there are lots of things well beyond my control, including how other people act, react and talk to you.

After a particularly overwhelming phone call with a customer who was upset that I didn't have an availability for his furnace cleaning until September, I wanted to scream. For those who don't know, my 'day job' is working for my husband's home heating and plumbing company. I'm the one who does all of the scheduling for his technicians. It's certainly NOT my dream job, but I do it to support him as he has supported me over the years.

Anyhow, after that call, I caught myself wrapped up in the nasty energy of the caller. I had to really push myself to breathe and just let it go. So I forced myself to get up, walk out on the back deck and let the warm summer breeze fill my lungs.

And somewhere in that moment, standing with the sunshine on my face, I remembered what I'd said to the group just twenty-four hours earlier: how are you going to protect and tend to your fire? So I took another breath, then had a drink of water and sat back down at the desk.

Not perfect. But better. Sometimes better is enough. And that's the practice. Not the retreat version, but the Monday afternoon at your desk, in the middle of the chaos version. The one nobody posts about but everyone needs to remember.

So the next time life rushes back in at you and you feel yourself getting pulled under, just breathe. Get up, step outside if you can, and remember that coming home to yourself is never more than a breath away.

Big love, xoM

PS: The date has been set for the next retreat! I'm headed back to La Solitude May 14th - 16th, 2027. More details coming soon!