Happy Thanksgiving, if you're in the US! I'm very grateful that you choose to be in my community amongst so many places where you can spend your attention. 

I also know that this day has a painful, difficult past. Whatever your perspective on this history, I do wish for you a path to inner peace and gratitude on this day.

You can read the full blog this came from, here. It's an article from 2023, by The Empowerment Dynamic. TED is the 'solution' to the DDT (Dreaded Drama Triangle). An extremely useful perspective that I use often for myself and clients.  

Reflections on Journaling: 

I’m wondering if you've had the nourishing experience of putting everything on pause, taking spacious time to reflect on a topic and journaling about it?

Every time I do this, I wonder why on earth I don’t make the time for it more often. I feel calm, happy, inspired, nourished, fulfilled, energized, all at the same time.

I’ve been working with CliftonStrengths for almost 9 years. Most introverts have the talent of ‘Intellection’: the talent of ‘inner processing’. It’s my #5, and just about every introvert I’ve worked with, have it in their Top 10. Reflecting, quiet space, time to process  and think through all the complex layers….vital for my introvert-family. 

Whether you’re an introvert or not - maybe you love reflecting, journaling, and going within, too? And yet, like me, you wonder when you’ll ever get a chance again in your busy life.  

I have 3 friends in particular who remind me to keep this practice alive.

One of them is a dear friend and colleague, Kim Marie, who offers a fantastic 13-day experience every year around the Darkest Days of Winter (in the northern hemisphere). She’s hosting this experience for the 11th time this year and I’d love introduce you to her, in case it's a practice that talks to you. 

First, another perspective on that ‘Evil Beast’ some of us avoid

I’ve not been someone to promote anything Black-Friday before. It’s always left me cold. Just before last year's, though, something happened that led me to change my mind. 

Late one afternoon, I had a nourishing conversation with a dear colleague and conscious marketing coach, Caroline Leon. (I am truly blessed to know so many precious colleagues who do good work in the world! And in case you're interested - she's hosting the first session of her annual Conscious Business Planning Workshop Series this week too.)

Caroline believes that now, more than ever, the world needs conscious businesses to turn things around on our precious one Mother Earth. Her vision: "Imagine a world where the most successful businesses are those that have the best interests of our planet and people at heart!" 

Our conversation turned to Black Friday – and how that can leave an ‘ick’ in our nervous system, and whether it feels right for us to participate in the annual frenzy. 

Then she mentioned how we can support conscious businesses by buying from them over these periods, instead of blindly acquiring more 'stuff' from large corporations who couldn't care less about people and sustainable life for all.

My next thought was: “I need to KNOW where those businesses are, otherwise, I can’t buy from them!” 

I want to support business owners with big hearts, so they can contribute to making the world a more sustainable, kinder place to be. I can't change the attitude of major corporations directly, but I can support businesses who care about the whole. 

And thus! I’m writing you today to let you know of one such place where, if you decide to spend something this Black Friday, you’ll support a kind, conscious, aware, female business owner who is making the world a better place.
 

Kim and I met in a business group around 5 years ago. We’ve stayed in touch, I’ve helped some of her young adult Academy students to discover and love their Strengths, and we’ve had numerous deep, nourishing conversations. I’m blessed and grateful to be her friend. 

Read more below. 

On a Business Note: 

Sacred Nights of Winter: Creating a Soul-Aligned Life

"The Experience of Sacred Space makes possible the founding of the world: 
where the sacred Manifests itself in space, 
the real unveils itself, the world comes into existence."

 - Mircea Eliade-

If you love reflecting and the thought of a simpler, soul-aligned life, and want to support a conscious business with heart and soul, let me introduce: 

Sacred Nights of Winter Journal

Each year’s journal has a different theme, and this 11th year’s is “Creating a Soul-Aligned Life.” Oh, and how desperately we need that in these times with pressure and huge energies coming from all angles. 

For 13 days and nights (Dec 24 to Jan 6), the Sacred Nights of Winter takes you on a journey through the darkest nights of the year when our Souls are most connected and receptive to our Inner Wisdom. 

(And if you’re in the southern hemisphere with blazing sunshine – this can bring just as much nourishment and soul-food even though you’re not in the dark period). 

This year’s edition will take you on a journey to align with your Soul and the Soul of the World through lifestyle considerations and the Old Norse concept of Hygge. You’ll love steeping yourself in this nurturing and empowering journal during the darkest nights of the year!

Included with Kim’s beautiful, full-colour journal (printed & shipped copy or digital download) is a community of kindred Souls on the journey. Kim shares added teachings and inspiration throughout the Sacred Nights in a private, safe haven away from social media.

You can find all the details HERE.

Black Friday Offer

And yes, Kim has a Black Friday Offer: From Wednesday November 27 till Saturday November 30, you’ll receive $5 off the usual price, when you use the code Gratitude4You. 

A note on the physical copy: 

Shipping gets tricky towards the busy Christmas period, and might be unreliable to other countries after 1 December. If you’re outside of the US, perhaps the digital copy is a better idea if you can only order after 1 December. That is available right until the last minute.

If this is not for you, maybe you know someone who needs journaling and pausing this time of year? Please consider forwarding this. 

I hope to see you on the Sacred Nights of Winter journey!

Read more and purchase HERE.
 

Full Disclosure: I'm an Affiliate of Sacred Nights of Winter and will receive a small fee when you buy via this email, at no cost to you. So in fact - you'll support two business owners who care deeply about nature, Mother Earth, and leaving the world in a better state than when we arrived. Gratitude! 🙏

Next week, I'll be back with my usual article and Self-Study opportunities.