We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stopped playing. –George Bernard Shaw
Are you having a fun summer? Have you taken time to play? I remember what summer was like growing up. It was non-stop play time–at the beach, in the park, at the pool. There was always something to do and some place to be.
As adults, we have to think about grown up, serious things. There are decisions to make, problems to solve, and so much work to be done. Everything feels like an effort and stress takes a toll on us. We forget to play.
Author, spiritual teacher and visionary, Sonia Choquette shares, “Play is not frivolous. It is medicine. When you play, the ego finally gets to exhale. It loosens its grip on how everything is supposed to look and who you are supposed to be, and in that softening, your spirit slips back in through the door. Joy floods the blood. Spontaneity returns. The heavy fog created by too much outside noise and influence begins to lift, and you can hear yourself again.”
When we play, we are letting our inner child know that they are okay. Our fears fade away and our spirit is renewed. We set aside the troubles of the world and allow ourselves to feel wonder and joy. That lifts our vibration and we feel a sense of freedom and peace.
Some helpful tips to finding play:
–Step outside with no plan and no phone, and let your feet wander wherever they want to go.
–Put on a song that makes you happy and dance in your kitchen as though no one is watching.
–Do something with your hands purely for the joy of it. Paint, draw, cook, garden, with no goal but pleasure.
–Be silly with a child, a pet, or a good friend, and let yourself laugh from your belly.
–Play a game you loved when you were young.
–Say yes to a small adventure, even if it is only a new way home.
Play, enjoy, and watch the magic unfold.
Love,
Christine
P.S. There will not be an August newsletter. I am taking my inner child out to play. See you in September.
“Setting others free means setting yourself free.” Catherine Ponder
Have you ever tried to take away a ball from a dog? The ball firmly clenched, the dog shakes her head from side to side. She wants to play, but won’t let go. We do the same when we hold onto unhealthy relationships, unrewarding jobs, outdated ideas, and bad habits. We want something new in life, but the fear of letting go is bigger than the pain of the situation.
We don’t have to give up the intention for what we want, but we do have to be willing to give up how we go about getting it. When we surrender attachment, there is an extraordinary sense of freedom, an abundance of possibilities, and awareness of infinite love. How do we surrender? We practice taking our attention off the need to possess something or change someone. Instead, identify those values you want to express in life. Choose to focus on what brings you joy, on what lights you up. Find a place to be of service. Take time to go within and ask what is yours to do.
Letting go requires a level of acceptance, adaptability, and trust in the flow of life. It involves acknowledging that holding on to something that no longer serves us can be detrimental to our well-being. When we let go of control, we allow the dynamic doors of the universe to open to infinite potential and possibility.
Richard Rohr states, “All great spirituality is about letting go. It trains us in both detachment and attachment: detachment from the passing so we can attach to the substantial.” When we can let go of our need for control and trust that things will work out as they should, we open ourselves to the possibilities available to us.
Affirm: I am willing to release what no longer serves me.
If you are feeling sad today or a bit weary, you are not alone. You are feeling the collective grief. This quote from Benjamine Cremer says it all, “Grief is a form of patriotism, too. This 4th of July, many of us won’t be waving flags or watching fireworks. Not because we hate our country, but because we love it too much to pretend everything is fine.”
I choose to shine the light on hope, resilience and the amazing people that make this country a beautiful place. Here are some thoughts of promise, inspiration and a call to action.
“This Fourth of July, we do not need to perform patriotism. We need to practice democracy. Independence is not a feeling. It is practiced when we deman that rights be real, that freedom be usable and that America live up to the promise generations before us fought to make real.” — Stacey Abrams
“A Charge and Blessing for America. May we tell the truth about where we have been. May we honor both the beauty and the brokenness of our collective story. May we grow in courage. May we grow in compassion. May we become more just. May we become more welcoming. May we become more honest. May we become more whole. May liberty become more than language. May justice become more than aspiration. May welcome become more than poetry. May this birthday give us more than what we ask for. May this next chapter honor our becoming.” –Shani McIlwain
“Those ideals upon which our nation was built—They are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we reach for them. Therein lies the work of America—The striving, the bettering, the reaching towards perfection. What power each of us holds, to bring America ever closer to the greatness so many have seen when they looked upon these shores—The greatness that, for 250 years, has been America.” — Mayor Zohran Mamdani
“We simply don’t have the luxury or time to be cynical or complacent, to wring our hands in despair, to wait for someone else to fix the problem. Hope is all we have, because hope is the essential spark that lights the fire of change. But hope is a choice, whether or not we use our voices to speak up is a choice. Voting is a choice. Being a decent human being is a choice. Believing that we still hold the power to build a country that reflects us all is a choice. The Obama Presidential Center is a living testament to the power of choice, y’all.” –Michele Obama
“One way or the other, November 3, 2026, is going to be one of the most significant days in American history. For those who pray, meditate, or do any kind of energy work related to the powers of consciousness, we should begin now to use the power of our mind and heart to bring harmony and peace. May the day be blessed and all beings be protected. May the day be infused with love and light from a holy Source. May no weapon formed against us stand. May all forces of oppression and violence be cast into the nothingness whence they came. May any and all malevolence be nullified. May our nation be forgiven the many ways in which we have not lived up to our principles; have recklessly and irresponsibly treated people, planet and animals; and arrogantly put ourselves above others. We atone for our mistakes and pray for the chance to begin. May we become a better country now. Amen” — Marianne Williams
You are not alone! Join our monthly zoom meeting inspiring women’s clarity, courage and connection on August 15 @ 10 am PST.
“I have been looking for a women’s group and the Women’s Connection is the answer. A great variety of women and easy conversation.“
“I left the group feeling a greater sense of self and a relatable connection with women in the group.“
“I love this group!. I was surprised to find women dealing with the same challenges that I am.”
Our monthly connection group is insightful, empowering and fun! There is a deep respect and appreciation for each other and participants receive value from sharing their experiences and stories.
Life is full of challenges and changes. You don’t have to face them alone.
Join us for our monthly Conscious Choices Women’s Connection. We will use tools and resources from my latest book, Conscious Choices: A Women’s Guide to Clarity, Courage and Connection. Participants will receive practices to liberate limiting thinking and transform old beliefs into creative action.
Join us for laughter, inspiration and maybe even some tools to support living a joy-filled life.
Third Saturday of the month. Next meeting is Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 10 am PST .
“The universe is inexhaustible; it is limitless, indestructible, and eternal, and it responds to the faith that we have in it.” Ernest Holmes
Prosperity is not something we manufacture—it is something we align with. The flow is already here. God’s infinite goodness is always seeking to express through us.
Prosperity consciousness is not about getting something we don’t have—it’s about realizing and expressing the infinite abundance that is already ours.
Pay attention to the world around you. Notice your thoughts, feelings and attitudes. What do you worry about? What grabs your attention? What emotions are you feeling? Once you identify your thoughts and emotions, then get into right relationship with them. Raise your vibration through prayer, mediation and time of silence. Heal any places of separation with others.
Do you say positive, uplifting things to yourself? In the latest Michael Jackson movie, there is a scene showing Michael just before he records “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” He is speaking affirmations out loud, saying things like you are beautiful, you are the best, you are the greatest. How many of us talk to ourselves that way? Most of us feel uncomfortable just thinking about it.
Our internal voice shapes our outcomes. If we doubt ourselves, and speak disparagingly about ourselves, it shows up in our lives. We could all use more constructive self-talk. Our inner dialogue is so important.
Learning to forgive also changes our vibration and perspective. To forgive does not mean we condone bad behavior. It means letting go of wishing it could be different. Accepting what is aligns us to the present moment of now and opens us up to gratitude and appreciation.
Eric Butterwoth reminds us, “To practice the presence means to practice, knowing that you are surrounded by a divine presence that wishes you well because you are expressing in life. The flow of life is the very nature of God and the natural experience of humankind.”
If you can’t KNOW with conviction that you are surrounded by a divine presence at the moment, be WILLING to recognize the presence as a possibility. Affirm your good. Get into the flow of life. Keep practicing.
Affirm: I am surrounded by a divine presence and infinite possibilities.
