Embracing Feminine Energy

By Angela Lightfoot

Embracing Feminine Energy In recent chats with my girlfriends and clients, I’ve noticed something beautiful happening—more and more women are opening up about the desire to reconnect with their “feminine energy.” In 2024, femininity is evolving, and while it can sometimes feel like we’ve drifted from our natural power, there’s an exciting movement stirring within us all. We’re ready to redefine what it means to be a woman, beyond just being “strong.” (Go ahead and put your muscles away for this read, ladies—we’ll flex them later!) For so long, we’ve proudly worn the “strong woman” title. And trust me, we’ve earned it! We’ve conquered challenges in the White House, at home, in relationships, and within ourselves. But here’s the thing—strength doesn’t have to come at the expense of softness. We’re ready to step into our “soft girl, gorgeous woman” era—an era where we fully embrace femininity in all its forms, without constantly feeling the pressure to be tough. This isn’t about choosing softness over strength. It’s about knowing that softness *is* strength. Feminine energy is nurturing, creative, and flows with grace. It’s reconnecting with the beauty that lives within us, tapping into our creativity, and embracing the peace, rest, and joy we deserve. Personally, I’ve been on strike from the “strong woman” label this year—how about you? We all crave balance. It’s time to reclaim our divine feminine energy, the energy that lets us thrive in every area of life with ease, grace, and, yes, softness. This shift is long overdue! Now is the perfect moment to fully embrace the power of our femininity—whether that’s through self-care, slowing down, or simply allowing ourselves to be seen in our true, radiant beauty. Let’s release the pressure to always be “strong” and instead nurture the woman we *want* to be. We deserve to feel soft, gorgeous, and empowered in our own skin. And don’t forget, there’s *so much fun* in embracing our softness! There’s something magical about applying a cute lip gloss, trying a new hairstyle, or wearing that outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks. It’s in those little moments—when you catch your reflection in the mirror, smile, and maybe even wink at yourself—that you’re reminded of your own beauty and power. That light, playful energy is what makes feminine energy so special. It’s about savoring the things that make you feel radiant and confident, just for *you*. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me on November 16th at 7 pm at The Brown House Candle Company for Unleash Your Feminine Power: From Inner Beauty to Bold Expression—a feminine energy packed workshop. We’ll dive deep into what it means to embrace your feminine energy and create personalized lipsticks as a symbol of bringing your inner beauty to the surface. This is your chance to step fully into your feminine power, connect with a community of amazing women, and leave feeling more aligned with the gorgeous woman you are. You don’t want to miss this! See you there.

From Grief to Growth: Discovering the Value Hidden Within Your Sadness

By Rita Ricks

From Grief to Growth: Discovering the Value Hidden Within Your Sadness In a world that often encourages us to mask our pain with positivity, it’s easy to overlook the profound lessons that lie within our sadness. Grief can feel like an uninvited shadow, settling heavily on our hearts and minds, but what if buried beneath those layers of sorrow is a treasure trove of growth waiting to be unveiled? In this journey through emotions, where heartache meets healing, I want to show how acknowledging and embracing your grief can transform it into one of life’s most powerful catalysts for personal evolution. Even in the darkest times, there exists a path toward resilience, understanding, and ultimately, empowerment. Walk with me… Sadness is a universal experience. It creeps into our lives unexpectedly, often leaving us feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even just a bad day, sadness can take many forms. We all encounter it at some point, myself included.  It’s woven into the fabric of being human. Physically, repressed emotions may manifest through tension headaches, digestive issues, anxiety, stress or fatigue. These symptoms are merely the body’s way of signaling distress from unresolved sorrow. Socially, withdrawing from others becomes common when we mask our sadness. We might miss out on valuable connections and support systems during tough times. Ultimately, by shunning these feelings, we risk becoming trapped in a cycle of emotional stagnation. But what if we looked at sadness through a different lens? Instead of seeing it solely as an emotion to avoid or suppress, what if we recognized its potential for growth and transformation? The journey from grief to personal development may seem daunting, but within each moment of sorrow lies invaluable lessons waiting to be uncovered. One powerful coping method is journaling. Writing down thoughts and feelings allows for a deeper understanding of what’s living rent free in our head. We often spend our time doing something/anything to avoid managing the sadness and grief. But this just delays the inevitable. Journaling is about recording your thoughts…whatever is in your head. My journaling is my Dear God letter. I turn it over to Him. You can share your deepest feelings with whomever. Just get those thoughts out of your head onto paper. Another effective approach is physical activity. Engaging in exercise releases endorphins, which can lift your spirits and reduce stress levels. Even a short walk can make a difference. Sweating is a good thing! Exercise/moving is critical to your overall wellness. Deep breathing while Being SILENT helps ground you. Being SILENT…no movement, no electronics, wear an eye mask, relax, eyes closed, dream. The solution is in the Silence. I sit in the dark, so I have no distractions, wrapped in my favorite blanket. You can do this. It is critical to your overall wellness. Connecting with others can also be beneficial. Sharing your feelings in a support group fosters connection and reminds you that you’re not alone in this journey. Sadness can be a profound teacher. It tends to reveal what truly matters in life or highlight areas where change is needed. Recognizing the value of sorrow doesn’t mean dismissing how you feel; it’s about honoring those feelings while searching for growth opportunities they present.  We stop viewing sadness solely as an enemy and begin to understand its role in shaping resilience and the depth of our character. Each moment spent in sorrow can unveil lessons about resilience, empathy, and strength. By confronting rather than avoiding these feelings, we pave the way for growth. Grief and sadness often walk together, but it’s important to hold on to the good times. They are a part of who you are today. No regrets—just the cherished memories that bring a smile to your heart. I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit Contact me to discuss the sadness you’re feeling – Let me know if you have other coping skills to share. Let me know your thoughts on this blog. Contact | Spiritual Coach + Business Coach | Rita Ricks

Reflecting on the Forgiveness Detox: A Journey of Sisterhood and Healing

By Angela Lightfoot

Reflecting on the Forgiveness Detox: A Journey of Sisterhood and Healing On the evening of June 28th, we came together for a transformative Forgiveness Detox, and I am overjoyed to share that it was an overwhelming success. The turnout was incredible, but what truly made the event magical was the deep sense of sisterhood and connection we experienced during our fun girls’ night happy hour. As the evening unfolded, we embraced vulnerability, shared our stories, vented our frustrations, and found moments of laughter amidst the tears. Each woman present opened her heart about her forgiveness journey, offering heartfelt advice and unwavering support to one another. It was a powerful reminder of the strength we find in community and the beauty of sharing our truths. During the workshop, I introduced my F.O.R.G.I.V.E. Method, a structured approach to navigating the complex path of forgiveness. Here’s a brief overview of each step: F: Face the Emotion – Acknowledge and confront the feelings associated with the hurt. For example, recognizing the anger or sadness you feel towards someone who wronged you. (And let’s be honest, sometimes that anger is directed at the barista who messed up your coffee order this morning.) O: Open the Wounds – Allow yourself to revisit the pain and understand its impact. Please be careful with this one. If the trauma is deep, you may want to solicit support from a therapist or coach. (YES, I am available.) R: Release Resentment – Let go of the grudges and bitterness that hold you back. This does not mean to forget; it means releasing the reaction it has on you. The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. This could be through meditation, prayer, or simply deciding to no longer let the resentment control you. G: Grant Forgiveness – Choose to forgive the person who hurt you, not for their sake, but for your own peace. This is not an on and off switch. This is the biggest and often most difficult part of the process, but it is vital. As Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I: Investigate the Lesson – Reflect on what the experience has taught you. Perhaps it has made you stronger, more empathetic, or more aware of your boundaries. (Or maybe it’s just taught you not to loan your favorite shoes to anyone, ever again.) V: Visualize a New Future – This is my favorite part. This is when you get to dream and find your joy. Imagine a future where the pain no longer defines you. Envision the possibilities that open up when you are no longer held back by past hurts. This is the release we hope for and desire most. E: Embrace Healing – Accept the healing process and be patient with yourself. Healing is not linear, and it’s important to give yourself grace as you move forward. This is a beautiful thing for others to also witness. Oftentimes people hide their feelings and the ways they process their healing. It is wonderful to see as it demonstrates the importance of healing intentionally. Forgiveness is a journey, and there is no rush. Each step is crucial, and it’s important to move at your own pace. However, the sooner you free yourself from the pain, the sooner you can live on purpose with purpose. Thank you to all the incredible women who attended and made this workshop a sanctuary of growth and healing. Let’s continue to support each other on this journey of forgiveness and personal transformation. You can catch testimonies from the workshop on my Instagram @msangelacoaches

BEING UNCOMFORTABLE IS THE NEW SELF CARE PRODUCT!

By Rita Ricks

BEING UNCOMFORTABLE IS THE NEW SELF CARE PRODUCT! In a world that glorifies comfort and convenience, it may come as a surprise to hear that being uncomfortable is actually the latest trend in self-care. Yes! – embracing discomfort and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is now recognized as an essential tool for personal growth and development. So put down the fuzzy socks and cozy blanket, because I’m here to explain why being uncomfortable might just be the best self-care product you never considered. It may seem counterintuitive, but embracing uncomfortable situations can lead to significant progress in various aspects of your life. HOW?? Consider the following… Stepping out of your comfort zone, forces you to confront your fears and limitations. This process of facing challenges head-on allows you to expand your boundaries and discover new possibilities that you might not have otherwise explored. Moreover, experiencing discomfort can help build resilience and adaptability. By learning to navigate through difficult situations, you develop the strength to overcome obstacles with grace and determination. Think about it…understanding the importance of discomfort in personal growth is accepting that growth often happens outside of the comfort zone. Embrace the discomfort, learn from it, and watch yourself grow into a stronger and more resilient version of yourself. It will help you stay focused on what really matters. Feeling uncomfortable can serve as a constant reminder of the importance of staying committed to your aspirations. It keeps you on your toes, pushing you to strive for excellence even when faced with adversity. Rather than seeing discomfort as a hindrance, view it as a catalyst for propelling yourself forward. By acknowledging and accepting discomfort as part of the journey towards success, you cultivate determination within yourself. This mindset shift enables you to channel that energy into fueling your passion and maintaining momentum in pursuing your goals. Embrace discomfort not as an enemy but as a valuable ally in your pursuit of personal growth and achievement. I encourage you to reframe how you perceive discomfort – Look at it as a sign that you are pushing yourself beyond limits and expanding your capabilities. Cultivating a mindset of curiosity towards uncomfortable situations can help shift your perspective from fear to excitement. How can you begin today, to reframe your mindset? Well guess what, my purpose is to show you how to get unstuck, how to stop doing the same thing the same way, but expect different results. That’s not productive, it’s called being busy. So Contact me today – I GOT YOU! Don’t hesitate to contact me here: Contact | Spiritual Coach + Business Coach | Rita Ricks Let Go of the Resistance! I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit

OOHH We’re Halfway there: Living on Prayer and Goals

By Angela Lightfoot

OOHH We’re Halfway there: Living on Prayer and Goals We’re halfway through 2024, and it’s the perfect time for a mental cartwheel, a goal-setting shimmy, and a heartfelt “Thank you, Jesus!” Even if you haven’t accomplished everything you hoped for, you’re still here with plenty of opportunities to achieve your goals! The Mid-Year Pep Talk Goal GPS: Where are you?Picture this: You’re on a road trip called Life, and you’ve reached that quirky gas station at the halfway mark. Grab some metaphorical snacks (I’ll take some Cheese Puffs), kick back, and ask yourself: Am I cruising toward my goals? Did I detour into the scenic route of Netflix binges? Have I accidentally taken a wrong turn into Procrastinationville? Has God told you listen to his guidance over the GPS? Celebrate the Small and Big Victories:Remember that time you finally organized your sock drawer or nailed that presentation at work? Those deserve mini fireworks in your journey! Each tiny victory is a step forward on your path to greatness. Don’t just brush these moments aside; take a moment to bask in the glow of your achievements. Treat yourself to a little celebration—dance around your living room, indulge in your favorite treat, or share your success with a friend. These small celebrations fuel your motivation, making each milestone feel like the grand finale of a fireworks show. Celebrate it like you just won a Grammy, because in the symphony of your life, every note matters. Goal Remix: Adjust and Let it FlowLife’s DJ just dropped a remix, so it’s time to revisit your initial goals. Are they still relevant, or have circumstances changed? Adjustments are normal, and flexibility is key. Maybe your original goals need a new beat. Ask yourself: Is that side hustle still sparking joy, or did it go platinum? Has your faith been tested, and you see things in a new light? Did you discover a new passion for underwater basket weaving or Pilates, or should it stay on the B-side?  Are you secretly training for a ninja warrior competition, or just trying to stay on beat? Embrace the remix and keep grooving towards your goals! As we journey through the rest of 2024, remember that each step, no matter how small, is part of your unique path. Keep celebrating your victories, adjusting your goals, and staying flexible. Trust that God is guiding your steps and has a plan for your success. You are the architect of your own achievements, with faith as your foundation, shaping a masterpiece that will culminate in an incredible finish. So, embrace your progress, keep striving for excellence, and let the world see your brilliance. Lean on your faith and let God’s light shine through you. Here’s to living on prayer and goals, making 2024 the year you shine the brightest! Keep pursuing those goals, my friend, and always remember: You’ve got this, with God’s grace!