Pausing to Listen

Hi there,

The seasons are changing, and the ways I care for myself are evolving too. I’ve been extra intentional about slowing down—through journaling, praying, swinging, or napping—to notice what hums beneath the surface. I’m grateful for insights that have surfaced about parenting, aging, entrepreneurship, and even spring break.

What might spring up if you slowed down long enough to truly listen? Perhaps reading this newsletter is your moment to find out. I’d love to hear what surfaces for you!

Resting

An invitation to slow down long enough to hear what your mind, body, and heart are telling you.

I recently shared on LinkedIn how this season of swinging—literally on our front porch swing—revealed an unexpected space to rest.

Up until now, swinging was all about fun: seeing how high I could lift myself, feeling the stomach-drop thrill, or leveraging my core on the rare standing swing. No matter the effort, play plastered a wide grin across my face.

Now that the swing is right outside my door, effort is optional (though sometimes it doubles as my office). The accessibility removes the pressure to force fleeting moments. I can simply close my eyes, listen to the birds, feel the wind, and let the swing carry me to rest.

Remembering

An invitation to reconnect with your brilliance - the wisdom, creativity, and magic within and around you.

I had the great pleasure of attending a Girl Talk luncheon last week, where the guiding question was: What did your inner voice say to you as a child? The event opened with a video that was a stark reminder of how that inner voice often shifts around age 12—from loud, proud, and fearless to one marked by doubt, fear, and questioning whether you are enough.

I was fortunate to avoid that narrative as a child. I believed I was the bomb.com and that there was nothing I couldn’t do. But as an adult, burnout put my insecurities on full display and muffled my inner voice.

Reflecting on my younger self reminds me how powerful it is to reclaim and rewire our self-talk in adulthood. How has your inner voice changed? What is one step you can take today to nurture the voice of your younger self?

Recasting/Realizing

An invitation to imagine the life you desire and pursue it with joy as your compass.

Last weekend, I discovered a new dream space: the top bunk. My kiddos, six and three, recently got bunk beds, instantly shifting the energy of their room—and theirs. My daughter loves the ease of cozying up below, while my son delights in the mini adventure of climbing up and down the ladder.

While they were away with their grands, I felt drawn to experience the top bunk for myself (shhh… don’t tell my son). Being up high, surrounded by sunlight and playful energy, expanded my imagination and invited me to envision new possibilities—both short- and long-term—for a more easeful life.

For starters, I’m revisiting a wealth-building workbook gifted to me last year.

In this season of slowing down long enough to listen, I’m keeping a short list of phrases, scriptures, and songs that gently call me back to stillness. One song I keep coming back to is Not in a Hurry by Will Reagan:

I'm not in a hurry

When it comes to Your spirit

When it comes to Your presence

When it comes to Your voice

I'm learning to listen

Just to rest in Your nearness (oh)

I'm starting to notice

You are speaking (oh)

May the pause meet you with exactly what you need to hear.

Joyfully,

Elandria