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Let there be peace

Let there be peace…by your own design

December has a way of turning the volume up. Calendars fill quickly. Family dynamics intensify. End of year deadlines arrive clothed in sparkle and yet also with a sense of urgency. For many mid-career professional women, especially those in high pressure roles, this month can feel like a full contact sport.

For this December New Moon, let us do something different. Let us choose peace as a practice rather than a prize. Allow room for peace that does not depend on perfect conditions. May there be room for peace to exist even amongst the chaos. Do not wait for chaos to settle as that may not ever happen, at least not completely.

Across cultures and traditions, this time of year carries a shared invitation. Give yourself permission to sit quietly. Observe. Select your next move with intention and after deliberate reflection. That means slowing down. Taking a breath. It gives room for you to choose to return to what matters. Create light on purpose.

In Christianity, the season of Advent emphasizes waiting and joyful expectation. Peace is cultivated gradually through patience and faithfulness, not rushed into existence. It is a steady devotion rather than a dramatic transformation.

In Judaism, Hanukkah offers the enduring image of a persistent light evening after evening. The light survives despite the struggle and the conflict. It can represent a commitment to tend to what is sacred, even when darkness exists.

Kwanzaa centers on principles such as unity, purpose, and collective responsibility. Peace here is grounded in values and community. It is built through alignment and intentional action rather than performance or perfection.

In Buddhist traditions, peace begins with awareness. By observing what is without grasping or resisting, a sense of calm emerges. Peace is allowed rather than forced.

Earth based and solstice traditions remind us that rest is wisdom. Nature grows quiet without apology. The darkest time of the year becomes an invitation to replenish rather than push forward.

Astrologically, the New Moon represents a reset. It offers a fresh page and a chance to set intentions without dragging old noise into a new cycle.

Different traditions use different language, but the through line prevails: Settle into what’s needing to be dormant. Pause. Tend the light. Begin again with intention.

For your consideration:

Before stepping into the next year, take time to take a heartfelt assessment of this year. Assess where you’ve been, and where your intentions led you in your life and career.  Reflect more deeply, into the whole of your experiences. Sink into the deeper moments, and not simply speed through the highlight reel.

What did you keep showing up for even when it was difficult? Where did you become more discerning about who and what receives your energy? What did you complete, close, or release? What are you proud of that no one applauded? What part of you is asking for peace as a necessity rather than a luxury?

If you feel behind or pressured to do more, let this be a reminder: You are not behind. You are in process. The end of the year is not a grading period. It is a threshold.

For high achieving women, peace often gets postponed until everything is finished. In demanding careers, everything is rarely finished. That belief can keep you running indefinitely.

It may help to redefine peace in a way that respects your real life.

Peace is not an empty calendar. It is a calendar that reflects your values.

Peace is not a perfect workplace. It is the ability to stay anchored when the workplace is imperfect.

Peace is not constant calm. It is having reliable ways to return to center. Peace can be a boundary that you set and that you feel.

Okay, your turn:

What would bring you even a little bit more peace this week? Can you come up with more than one way? How about three to five ways?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Permission granted

The Power of Healthy Permission

After the surge of spring’s bloom and the bustle of early-year momentum, here we are approaching the midway point of the year. View this not as a halt, but a moment to regroup, re-center, and reconnect.

This new moon, what if you granted yourself permission?

Not the reluctant kind that comes with guilt or second-guessing. But full-hearted, grace-filled permission to slow down, take stock, and tend to your inner rhythm.

Think back to the intentions you set earlier this year. Maybe you are nurturing a creative dream, revamping your relationship with sleep, or learning how to better advocate for yourself. Maybe you are still unsure of what is shifting, only that something is.

Wherever you are, May is a natural time to check in—not with judgment, but with curiosity. Let this be your green light to listen to what you need.

There is power in permission. It is not passive—it is intentional. It is a sacred “yes” to your inner intelligence.

So, give yourself permission to rest without apologizing. To say no without explaining. To shift course without proving. To simply be—without the need to fix, finish, or perform.

Recharging is not avoidance.
Regrouping is not weakness.
Reassessing is not failure.

These are acts of radical clarity—

and essential steps on any path

that is rooted in soul truth.

For your consideration:

You do not need to justify realignment. You only need to remember that you are allowed—always—to care for yourself with kindness and clarity.

Let this be your consent form. Not to do more, but to be more present with what feels best in this moment.

And if you are only able to tend to one area right now, let that be enough. If your progress is quiet or nonlinear, let that be enough. If your biggest act of courage this month is relaxing and listening to hear what you need, let that be enough.

This is your month of permission.

Honor it. Embrace it.
And above all, trust it.

Okay, your turn:

When is the last time you cut yourself some slack? Can you do so now, in this very moment? Ease into the day or evening?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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New Year’s Resolutions: Yay or Nay?

As we move from December into January and a new calendar year, the world collectively seemingly buzzes with the chatter of resolutions. Some vow to exercise more, others promise to save money, and a bold few aim to climb metaphorical or literal mountains. Yet, alongside this wave of ambition, an equally familiar critique emerges: “Why bother? Resolutions never stick.”

It is true. Many resolutions do not survive past February. The gym-goers vanish, the budgeting apps are abandoned, and the excitement fades. But does that mean New Year’s resolutions are inherently flawed? I would argue no. Resolutions, even when imperfectly executed, hold a certain kind of magic — a spirit of hope and renewal that we should not dismiss too quickly.

The Gift of Reflection

One of the most valuable aspects of making resolutions is the contemplation it demands. How often do we truly stop and take stock of our lives? The end of the year offers a natural checkpoint, inviting us to reflect on where we are and where we would like to go. Even if the goals themselves do not materialize, the act of reflection can be a gift in and of itself. It is an opportunity to reassess our priorities, celebrate our progress, and dream about what is next.

A Spark for Momentum

Resolutions create a spark. In those first weeks of January, the energy is palpable. People are trying new things, from meal prepping to morning yoga. This energy can be contagious, inspiring not just individual change but community shifts. Sure, not every spark leads to a fire, but does that make the spark meaningless? Even a brief burst of enthusiasm can remind us of what is possible when we try.

Progress, Not Perfection

Here is the thing: Resolutions do not have to be perfect to be worthwhile. So, what if you only stick to your new habit for a month or a single moon cycle? That is several weeks of change you would not have had otherwise. Maybe the resolution was not realistic, or perhaps life threw curve balls your way. But any progress, however small, counts. Growth is rarely linear, and resolutions can be a part of that messy, beautiful process.

A Collective Reset

There is something powerful about the collective nature of New Year’s resolutions. Around the globe, people simultaneously commit to becoming better versions of themselves. It is a reminder that we are all striving, growing, and evolving in our own unique ways. This shared sense of purpose can foster connection and compassion, even if our paths diverge.

For your consideration:

Reframing Resolutions

Perhaps the problem is not the resolutions themselves but the way we approach them. Instead of setting rigid, all-or-nothing goals, what if we reframed them as intentions or themes for the year? “Be more present,” “Prioritize health,” or “Explore creativity” are flexible yet meaningful aspirations that allow for ebb and flow. This approach invites growth without the pressure of perfection.

Embracing the Imperfection

In a world that often glorifies cynicism, it is easy to scoff at New Year’s resolutions. But perhaps their imperfection is part of their charm. They remind us that change is possible, even if it is hard. They invite us to dream, reflect, and try, knowing full well that we might stumble along the way. And isn’t that the essence of being human?

So, this New Year, whether you are resolving to complete a triathlon, learn another language, or simply drink more water, embrace the effort. Resolutions may not be perfect, but they are not all bad. They are a testament to our enduring hope, our willingness to try, and our capacity for change. And that, I think, is worth celebrating.

Okay, your turn:

What is your approach to the new year? Do you embrace the possibilities? Do you simply turn the page on the calendar and barely notice anything is different? Would you like to make positive changes?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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From Light to Darkness: Embracing the Longer Shadows and the Thinning Veils of Autumn

As October fades into November, there is a noticeable shift in the world around us. The days shorten and the nights stretch longer, casting a twilight hue over our daily routines. Shadows lengthen, and the sun’s journey across the sky seems fleeting. For many, this seasonal change is more than just a visual phenomenon—it is a time of transition that carries with it layers of symbolism, mystery, and a touch of the mystical.

The Long Shadows of Autumn

October is a month of vibrant colors and golden light, but it is also the beginning of a journey toward darkness. As the Earth tilts, the sun’s path across the sky lowers, casting longer shadows and giving everything a softer, almost ethereal glow. It is a time to slow down and take notice of the details that might go unseen in the full glare of summer sunlight.

There is a certain magic in those long shadows. They have a way of stretching out the day, as if trying to hold on to the light just a little bit longer. Inevitably, we edge closer to the darker, colder months, and this transition feels like the world is preparing to rest, to conserve its energy and hibernate.

The Thinning of the Veils

This moment between October and November has long been associated with the “thinning of the veils”—a poetic way of describing the idea that the boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm becomes less distinct. Cultures around the world have their own ways of acknowledging this thinning. From Halloween and Samhain to Día de los Muertos, there is a shared sense that this is a time when the unseen lures closer, and the world is a little more open to mystery.

It is no coincidence that these traditions focus on honoring the dead and self-reflection on the past. As the natural world prepares for dormancy, we are also prompted to look inward. The longer nights encourage us to slow down, to be still, and to listen to things that might otherwise go unnoticed. It is a time to reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and perhaps with something greater than what we can see and touch.

Light Into Darkness: Embracing the Transition

The transition from October into November is a passage from light into darkness. While this might sound ominous, there’s beauty in it. Darkness has its own kind of clarity; it helps us focus, be more mindful, and appreciate the warmth and light when it does appear. This shift is a gentle reminder to conserve energy and reduce undue labor, not just for nature but for us, too.

Practical Tips for Embracing the Thinning of the Veils

  1. Create a reflection Ritual: Take some time each evening to reflect on the day. Light a candle, write in a journal, or simply sit quietly and observe the shift from light to darkness.
  2. Connect with the Natural World: Go for a walk during sunset and notice the changing light, the lengthening shadows, and the chill in the air. Allow yourself to feel a part of this larger transition.
  3. Celebrate the Darkness: Embrace the longer nights by creating cozy, warm spaces. Light a fire, wrap up in a blanket, and enjoy a hot drink. This is a time to rest and restore.
  4. Honor Your Ancestors: Consider adopting a small ritual to remember those who have passed. It could be as simple as lighting a candle in their memory or sharing stories about them with loved ones.

For Your Consideration:

The period from October into November is not only about losing light; it is about finding beauty in the dark. The thinning veils remind us that there is more to life than what is visible, and the lengthening shadows teach us to appreciate the subtle, silent moments. So, as we move deeper into autumn, let us allow ourselves to slow down, to see what the shadows reveal, and to find comfort in this gentle, quiet space between the worlds.

Okay, your turn:

What does this time as October slides into November mean to you? Do you observe any particular traditions? If so, which ones?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved..

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Navigating the Competing Impulses of Success and Self-Protection

Throughout our lives, desire acts as a powerful force, as we infuse our goals with meaning and purpose. Our innate protection mechanisms often stand as barriers, though, hindering our progress and holding us back. How can we integrate effectively these contrasting forces and still move forward successfully? Let us delve into this interplay.

Desire for Success: A Motivational Engine

Desire serves as the fuel that ignites our ambitions, pushing us beyond our comfort zones towards greater growth. Whether it is professional advancement, personal development, or nurturing relationships, our desires are deeply rooted within us. Desire motivates action, fosters resilience, and shapes our visions for a brighter future.

We need more than desire alone to receive success. Strategic planning, perseverance, and taking inspired action steps help us to overcome obstacles along the way.

Protection Mechanisms: Navigating Self-Preservation

In a push-pull relationship with our aspirations, our psyche comes equipped with protective mechanisms aimed at safeguarding our well-being. These mechanisms, ingrained through evolution, manifest as fear of failure, self-doubt, or reluctance to step beyond what is comfortable. While essential for survival, they can also inhibit growth and progress.

Acknowledging these protective instincts is crucial. Awareness allows us to recognize when these safeguards get triggered and yet all the while appreciating their underlying motives.

Achieving Integration: Finding the Balance

To integrate desire and protection effectively, several steps can be taken:

  1. Awareness: Recognize when protective mechanisms are at play and understand their root causes. This awareness empowers us to confront and transcend these barriers.
  2. Be Thankful for the Fear: Rather than allowing fear to paralyze us, view it as a natural response to the unknown. Use fear as a motivator for growth and resilience.
  3. Practice Self-Compassion: Success often involves setbacks. Cultivate self-compassion to navigate challenges with grace and learn from experiences.
  4. Allow Vulnerability: Stepping into vulnerability opens doors to new opportunities. Take risks, acknowledge mistakes, and seek support when needed.

For your consideration:

Visualize it all working out plus visualize yourself taking the incremental steps to get you there. As with a GPS, allow it to be a navigational tool – guiding you turn by turn, toward your intended destination. It is both the journey and the destination that matters. And, remember to leave room for fluidity, for adjustments, if and as conditions change – you always reserve the right to make course corrections.

Living by design, with intention, focused and at ease, can be immensely satisfying.

In the intricate weave of life, balancing our desire for success with our inherent protective instincts is an essential skill. And, it is one that you can cultivate at will. By integrating these contrasting forces, we unlock our full potential and move forward with self-assurance.

Success is not just about reaching goals; it is about embracing the journey with courage and determination. I invite us all to navigate this delicate path with resilience and purpose, moving closer to our aspirations while remaining grateful for the guardrails that aim to keep us from harm.

Okay, your turn:

When have you found yourself fulfilling your aspirations consciously, and doing so despite the fears that inevitably arise when you are taking on a new challenge?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Flow state

Flow state

Organic ebb and flow

each in sway

Intuition guides our way.

As flowing currents whisper secrets,

within rhythms unseen,

Energy pulses through everything

In the union of intuition and flow, we are free to go

Into the inner sanctums

Where intuition sharpens our solutions

Connected to action, where plans abide.

Flow state fuels the steam,

Unleashing potential, fulfilling our dream.

Energy surges in every task we do,

A fuel for progress, tried and true.

In moments of focus, we harness the force,

Achieving our goals, on our chosen course.

Evolution’s path leads us to innovate,

Nudging us forward, to navigate.

For in the fusion of intuition and flow,

We unlock the keys to success and grow

Stagnant waters breed decay,

A lack of movement in disarray,

Life thrives where currents run,

In the dance of waves beneath the sun.

Okay, your turn:

When do you feel most in synch, most in flow? How do you know when you’ve hit your stride?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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New beginnings

New beginnings

A whisper in the wind

A blank page untouched by time

In the sliver of dawn

Where shadows fall back behind

The horizon line

Faith blooms anew

In the silent space

A promise of what may yet unfold

Among the secrets

Still untold

Like dewdrops on petals

In soft morning light

A dance of potential

With a wiggle of might

New beginnings

Like a canvas wide

Invite us to paint a journey

Much obliged

For in the beat

Between breaths and sighs

Is where the magic quietly resides

Okay, your turn:

New beginnings…love ‘em or dread ‘em? Does it depend? If so, in what ways?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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June’s solstice brings

June’s solstice brings

Tall flowers

and a shower or two

upon the desert

An oasis

is forming

and bubbling

beneath the surface

Oh gathering

solstice

sympathy of souls

When the sun is done

and down

Is it really ever down?

As we honor June’s solstice

may we see its shining

wisdom

among the shadows

peeking out

at us

As we journey through time and space

May the solstice’s gleam

Guide us as we weave our soul’s own dream

And esteem

Gathering steam

On this auspicious occasion

Once an earthly year

Let us smile and behold

In our soul’s delight

And welcome all wonders

seen

and unseen

With all our mighty

fire

and light

Okay, your turn:

What about June’s solstice arises in you? …anything in particular that has come into sharpened view for you this year?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2023 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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A moment of repose

A moment of repose

As we approach another changing of the seasons

and a close to the year

I pose

this question

to you and for you

to consider

In a moment of reflection and repose

I suppose

It’s not too much to ask

Not too much to request

and suggest to myself

and to all who will receive it

That we take a breather

and embrace the stillness…

the isness…

and

the ever-available forgiveness

of the moment.

For your consideration:

Among the hustle of the holiday season, may you set aside a quiet moment of reflection and repose? Heck, set a timer for 22 minutes, if you must.  Yeah, okay, that may not sound particularly spiritual, but it works!

For me, this holiday season so far has been one of deep study and stillness amongst the storm of society, external influences, and seemingly endless unrest.  I go within, where all is well. I invite you to do the same. Let your soul be your guide.

Okay, your turn:

Would you rather plow through the holidays, making lists, and checking things off the list, going back to the list, checking the list again, and on and on? Or, would you rather smile at the joys of the season, the light, the shimmer and the glimmers of hope? What you see is what you get. The light is what you are.

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2021 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Today is your life

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

This phrase, popularized during the 1960s and ’70s has a nice ring to it, indeed. A catchy phrase, so to say. It’s a way of reminding us that we can start fresh, start over, each day brings a new dawn. It’s the latter part of the phrase, though, that can be confounding. The “rest” of your life, as in the remainder of your life, what is that, exactly? It’s unknown. It’s the grand mystery. The remainder could be years, months, or an instant.

Today IS your life, yes?

Sure, there’s the unfolding. There’s the becoming. There’s the planting, the cultivating, the growing, the expanding, followed by the harvesting and the fruits of our labor. There can be beauty, grace, lessons, and meaning in all of these. Heck, many a Soul Notes article has been devoted to these topics. In my own life, and in others’ lives, I advocate for the process of envisioning, and easing into the flow, and merging with the natural cycles.

There’s wisdom in setting sail and course-correcting with awareness and intention. It’s not an either, or. It’s an all-in. All-in this moment. All-in with all senses engaged. All-in awareness. Now. And again. And again.

For your consideration:

Here’s another popular phrase: “We have time to kill.” If we’re simply treading water waiting for the ‘real’ event to happen, then what happens in the meantime? It’s ALL in the meantime!

As the signs say along the tracks of the London Underground: Mind the Gap.

Living with awareness brings the present moment into focus. Living without awareness is a life, erm, not really lived — a life suspended, like a tolling of a statute of limitations. Don’t be that person. Be you. All of you. All the time.

Okay, your turn:

Rephrasing the ‘the first day of the rest of your life’ into: Today IS your life — When you read this, what comes up for you?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2021 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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