Day 8 - what a gift this practice has been! In the midst of a very emotionally challenging and chaotic week within our Nation, this practice was a touchstone for me. I am so grateful for the flexibility to do the practices at times that worked best for us and found pre-dawn was an amazing way to start each morning. I am taking so much from this experience and have a journal full of notes I know I will reflect on often. I love the meditations, as they are often the most difficult for me to be still, these were perfect in helping me to slow down and be with my thoughts for just a moment. I feel strong emotional and physically thanks to this experience. I'm looking forward to creating my calendar today as I enter the Monday morning with the mantra: I AM FIERCE.

Day 7 - I have been so very grateful for this community this week. Today I loved the daily reading, especially the succinct definition of Spirituality as the "willingness to fully participate in, take in, take responsibility, and fall in love with your own life" and how life's task is to "fulfill a mission ingrained in the soul." These words touched me deeply as I have been working to take in (align) the events of the past week, year...years. I have learned so much along the way from some tremendous teachers. Both the positive and the negative mentors in my life have helped to bring me to this exact moment and I am more open than I have ever been. I will continue to trust this process and trust my heart. My journey is not in vain, it's purpose is to lead me to love. My mantra: today: I am right where I am meant to be.

Day 6 I am so grateful for that mediation! As I envisioned one year from now my ideal day was exactly where I am at this moment. I couldn't believe it! It was not some exotic vacation, my future goal is to be in this exact home (which by then I am owning, not renting), watching my boys running out back with their best friends as I am right now. I clearly saw the view of the harbor, the boats on still (ideally clean, swimable) water as I toast a fabulous glass of champagne with the love of my life as we begin to prepare an amazing dinner for our dear friends on their way over in this COVID-free, peaceful year on the 8th day of January 2022. *sigh* My mantra today: I am the architect of my own destiny.

Day 5 -"How do I want to show up for what is going on?" A question I returned to repeatedly today as I spoke with my children about the devastation at our Nation's Capitol yesterday; as I spoke with my colleagues within the Federal government; and I sat with a deep sorrowful ache within myself. This practice was a lifeline to me in the early morning hours - when I would have otherwise spiraled in thoughts - it helped me to re-center and focus. I'm still processing much, but today my mantra is I AM HOPEFUL FOR CHANGE

Day 4 As in the past three days, today's practice was exactly what I needed...I've been struggling in a relationship and realize that my responses have all been lead by my head and not my heart. I'm trying to "fix" it instead of just being in it and appreciating all the lessons I have learned and all that I'm learning right now. I love the question in the daily reading, "What if we were to see everyone in the world through the eyes of their desire to be loved?" I also loved Dani's quote in practice "acceptance is the love medicine." Today, there is nothing to fix, I just need to remember. Today, I forgive myself. I am connected to Divine guidance. I am unlimited.

Day Three - Today's practice was so powerful! While it was a physically challenging series, what was more difficult for me was pushing myself just to my edge and no further. Paying close attention to the wisdom of the daily reading that sometimes action can be inaction is one of my greatest challenges. I realize I do not always have to push myself to the extreme, to muscle through it, or to exhaust myself in the "doing". My mantra: today I am a peace.

Day Two: Daily Practice. The quote in today’s reading moved me: “The feeling of desire is the soul’s longing to move forward”. It reminded me of a passage from a book I’m currently reading based on the poem “The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer: “There is no preparation for the fierceness of the ache of longing. It is the voice of the parts of myself I have left behind in the deals I have tried to make with life, trying to trade dreams for safety.” If you haven’t read it, this poem is one of my absolute favorites http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/ My mantra today is that I will let me senses guide me and trust my inner voice.

I loved this passage from the Daily Practice and turned it into a powerful "I statement" for my daily mantra: "With the wisdom of experience at hand, I know I could not have gotten where I am without every movement I have ever made." Thank you, Dani, you are a gift!