Month: April 2024

75 Plus Years Around the Planet: What I Know for Sure! At 75 plus years old, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for the life I have lived and who I am. April has always been my month for reflection, a time when the flowers bloom and warm weather mirrors the growth and change happening within me. As a proud Aries, Spring is truly my season, and I feel a renewed energy and passion. With each passing year, I find myself taking longer to assess where I am in life, and in this moment, I am content. My world is worry-free and filled with joy, peace, love, hope – all emotions that make my heart swell with gratefulness. Every day brings new ideas and insights that kindle my enthusiasm for what lies ahead. In my 70th decade of life (and beyond), I refuse to let age define me or limit what I can achieve. Instead of just surviving each day, I choose to live fully present in every moment so as not to miss out on any experience or opportunity for growth. Life at 75 plus years old may be seen by some as nearing the end of one’s journey – but for me it’s simply another chapter in a story still unfolding beautifully before my eyes. WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE: Prioritize Nurture your Mind, Body and Spirit Stop, Start, Continue Ask WHY, rather than HOW Focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want People aren’t mad at you, they’re mad BECAUSE it’s you Get a House Keeper who does laundry Ignite your inner flame Do not Settle Whatever brings you Joy, Do more of it When it comes to assessing YOUR life, it’s important to reflect on the points that truly resonate with you. Perhaps the idea of decluttering your physical space and letting go of things no longer serving you speaks volumes. Or maybe setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care is what your soul craves. Whatever it may be, taking the time to evaluate where you stand in life can lead to transformative change. Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up your home – it’s about clearing out mental clutter, toxic relationships, and negative habits as well. By incorporating these changes into your daily routine, you are paving the way for a brighter future filled with growth and peace. So take a moment to assess what areas of your life need attention, and contact me so we can talk. I want to hear from you. I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what you think about my perspective and add your own. And let me know if you plan to incorporate any parts of this blog in your everyday life.

Unlocking Peace: The Power of Forgiveness Have you ever found yourself grappling with the need to forgive someone close who keeps pushing your buttons, or perhaps struggling to let go of the pain caused by a former partner’s betrayal? Maybe you’ve even wrestled with forgiving yourself for past mistakes, haunted by feelings of guilt and self-doubt. And what about those childhood incidents that cast a shadow of resentment over your present?In today’s complex world, forgiveness isn’t just a nice idea; it’s essential for navigating life’s challenges. Whether it’s forgiving others for their flaws, showing grace to ourselves, or finding closure in past hurts, forgiveness is key to unlocking peace and healing.As believers in Christ, we’re called to forgive as we are forgiven daily by Jesus. While I’ll jokingly admit I’m no Jesus, the truth is, I’m constantly striving to be more like him. Forgiveness has been a personal struggle for me at times, as it may have been for you. Is there something you’re struggling to forgive, big or small? Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting; it’s about releasing the grip of trauma, challenge, or pain. I’ve crafted 7 action steps to forgiveness using the word FORGIVE. Today, I’ll share two favorites: Facing Your Feelings Acknowledging our emotions is the first step. Instead of burying or pushing aside our pain, we must confront it head-on. Embracing our feelings creates space for healing, recognizing their validity, and beginning the process of release.Facing your feelings means allowing yourself to sit with discomfort. It’s natural to want to avoid pain, but doing so only prolongs our suffering. Take the time to explore your emotions, even if they’re uncomfortable. Whether it’s anger, sadness, or disappointment, give yourself permission to feel. By facing our feelings, we create an opportunity for growth. We acknowledge the impact of past experiences on our present emotions, allowing ourselves to process and heal from them. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. Emotions are neither good nor bad; they simply are. Embracing them is the first step towards forgiveness and inner peace. Granting Grace After facing our feelings head on, the next step is to extend grace to those who’ve wronged us. And for some they may need that “Amazing Grace” like the song, type of grace. You know what I mean! Forgiveness isn’t about excusing hurtful actions but freeing ourselves from resentment’s grip. It requires empathy and compassion, understanding everyone’s imperfections. How many times have you known better, but didn’t do better yourself? Granting grace means letting go of the desire for revenge or retribution. It’s recognizing that holding onto anger and bitterness only harms us in the long run. Instead, we choose to release the burden of resentment, offering forgiveness as a gift to ourselves. We open ourselves up to healing and reconciliation. Remember, it doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning the wrongdoing; it’s about choosing to move forward with peace and compassion in our hearts. Remember, forgiveness is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and self-compassion. If you’re struggling, seek support. Are you curious to what the other action steps are to true forgiveness? Join us for our upcoming webinar: Forgiveness Detox on May 22nd at 7 pm. Led by Coach Angela, this workshop offers practical strategies for forgiveness and toxicity release. Register now at RitaRicks.com. Together, let’s embrace forgiveness and embark on a path of healing and growth.