, , , , , ,

Sunny solstice vibes and strong resilience

As we bask in the afterglow of the summer solstice — the peak day of the year for abundant daylight — we enjoy the powerful light from the year’s high noon.

This time of year offers more than seasonal beauty — it offers a mirror. Take a moment to ask: Where am I standing in full light, and where might I be dimming my shine to survive the pace or politics of my profession?

Let’s shine that light on our career’s longevity. Shall we give it a wellness check? Career resilience isn’t about staying invincible — it’s about staying rooted. This is especially so in a changing world where industries shift, expectations escalate, and depletion threatens to set in.

This Solstice, let’s explore what it means to sustain both our ambition and our wellbeing.

At mid-career, it’s common to reach a quiet crossroads. You’ve built the skills. You’ve collected the titles. And yet… there’s a subtle tug, asking whether success as it’s been defined still fits who you’re becoming.

The Solstice offers a metaphor and a message: Things that have grown in shadow can now be seen. That may be in the form of patterns you’ve tolerated. Or, narratives you’ve accepted. Or, boundaries that have been bent or broken. All can come up for review.

Resilience doesn’t mean bouncing back to status quo. It means honoring your own evolution.

So instead of powering through, this season calls you to burrow inward — into clarity, into alignment, into a deeper level of self-respect.

Career Resilience, Redefined

Let’s retire the outdated model of career toughness that glorifies overworking and stoicism. True resilience today looks different:

  • It’s fluid, not rigid.
    (You adjust with grace, not grind.)
  • It’s values-led, not ego-driven.
    (You act from alignment, not from fear of falling behind.)
  • It’s sustainable, not sacrificial.
    (You protect your energy while you amplify your excellence.)

You get to honor your ambition and your boundaries. That’s not weak — that’s wisdom.

A Summer Solstice Self-Check

Here’s a quick check-in you can do in five minutes or less:

  1. Step outside into the light. Let the sun touch your skin, even if only for a few brief moments.
  2. Take three grounding breaths. Let each one drop you further into the present.
  3. Ask yourself: What’s one thing I need to say no to right now in order to say yes to myself?
  4. Write that one thing down. Declare it. Practice it.

Sometimes resilience is built in the smallest of refusals — refusing to self-abandon, refusing to over-commit, refusing to cower or shrink.

For Your Consideration:

You’ve already done the hard work of arriving where you are. The question now is how to remain there — and grow — without compromising your authenticity.

The Solstice doesn’t just celebrate the light outside — it honors the light within. Let that guide you forward, bravely, beautifully, and without undue sacrifice.

Okay, your turn:

What does resilience mean to you? Can you recall a moment in your life or career where you really dug down deep and anchored yourself in a way that helped you emerge even stronger than ever?

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Embracing the Summer Solstice: Bright Lights and Peak Point Reflections

As the ‘longest’ day of the year, the Summer Solstice is a time of abundant sunlight and warmth, offering a perfect opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation. This annual event, occurring this year on June 20th in the Northern hemisphere, symbolizes not only a peak in daylight but also a peak in our own personal energies and potential.

Strength of the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice has been celebrated for centuries across various cultures, marking a time of fertility, growth, and renewal. It is a day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, casting the longest shadows and reminding us of the power and vitality of light. This day invites us to soak in the solar energy, embrace the warmth, and ignite our inner fire to pursue passions and goals.

Here are some ways to maximize your experience during the Summer Solstice:

  1. Reconnect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, whether it is hiking, gardening, or simply enjoying a picnic in the park. Nature has a way of grounding us and providing a fresh perspective on life.
  2. Engage in Creative Pursuits: Use the extra daylight to explore creative hobbies such as painting, writing, or playing music. Creativity can be a powerful outlet for expressing your innermost thoughts and feelings.
  3. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude: Take a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for. Mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga can help you stay present and appreciate the beauty of the moment.
  4. Connect with Loved Ones: Strengthen relationships by spending quality time with family and friends. Host a solstice gathering or a bonfire to celebrate the day together.
  5. Pursue Personal Goals: Reignite your passion for personal projects or set new goals. The solstice is an excellent time to tap into your ambitions and take actionable steps towards achieving them.

For your consideration:

The Summer Solstice is more than a seasonal event; it is a powerful reminder of the light and potential within us. By embracing this time to reconnect with nature, pursue passions, and reflect on your journey, you can bask in the light that burns from above and from within your spirit. I invite you to harness the strength of this potent time to live life to the fullest as you make an inventory and assessment at this energetically highest peak of the year.

Here’s how you can make the most of this reflective period:

  • Review Your Aspirations: Reflect on the aspirations you set at the beginning of the year. What have you accomplished? What needs more attention? Adjust your plans as necessary to stay on track.
  • Evaluate Your Well-being: Consider your physical, emotional, and mental health. Are you taking care of yourself? Identify areas where you might need to focus more energy, such as exercise, diet, or mental health practices.
  • Reflect on What You have Learned: Celebrate your progress, and acknowledge the lessons you’ve learned. Understanding what worked well and what did not can guide you in making better decisions moving forward.
  • Set New Intentions: The halfway point of the year is a great time to set new intentions. What do you want to achieve in the coming months? Write down your intentions and make a plan to pursue them.
  • Recenter Yourself: Strive for a centered life. Ensure that your personal, professional, and social aspects are harmoniously aligned. This fosters overall well-being and sustained success.

Okay, your turn:

What will you be doing this upcoming Solstice? I’ll be noticing the light as it brightens my steps that carry me through the wilderness.

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , ,

Caring

Caring

To care is the warmth

of a smile

on a stormy day

A beacon of hope

that brightens the way

Each petal of care

delicate and true

Blossoms in hearts

like morning dew.

To care is to listen

with an open heart

A gesture, a word

a selfless deed transferred

Across trials and triumphs

Expressing empathy

at the rhythm of grace.

So let us cherish

the moments we share

In the tapestry of love

each thread is rare.

To care is to nurture

to uplift and

to mend

A timeless symphony

A blend

of different approaches

From friend

To friend

Okay, your turn:

What does caring mean to you? How is it expressed?

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A bonfire blazes

Amidst this sultry realm, with nature at its prime

A bonfire blazes tall, a beacon in the night

Its crackling flames like whispers

with wisdom to uncoil

Inviting us to gather ’round and to let our spirits sail

The bonfire’s glow, a mesmerizing sight to behold

It paints the evening sky with dancing hints of rubies and of gold

Drawn in like moths, we form a circle tight

Sharing laughter and our stories

igniting pure delight.

As the embers crackle and leap

the warmth from them felt upon our skin

We find solace in their flickers, a respite from the din.

For in this fiery haven, worries gently fade away

Replaced by joy and camaraderie, where memories form and play

With friends and loved ones by our side

we find a sense of bliss,

A soft breeze with hints of revealing secrets

with every nuzzle and quiet kiss

We bask in summer’s glory, as the stars adorn the sky

And in this shared existence, our souls are lifted high.

As the night seeks out its slumber, and embers fade to gray

We take comfort in the new memories, caught within the bright display.

For in our hearts, a spark will forever reside

Always ready to inspire

A reminder of that summer’s eve

when life met all of our desires

Okay, your turn:

Whether it be memories of summer camp, or summer school, or staying up late…what does the heat of the summer time invoke in you?

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , ,

The sun gives light

The sun gives light

The moon receives

The moon reflects

all it can

all the light

that shines

for all of us

to receive

and reflect

back

upon one another

without doubt

without delay

instantaneous

is its response

All aglow

always in flow

without regard

to the visage

appearing in the night sky

As above

So below

It is done

It is complete

Automatic

Autonomous

and

far from

famous.

Okay, your turn:

In what ways have you noticed nature’s divine magic? Have you looked? Will you now?

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , ,

Falling into Fall

Falling into Fall

Relaxing into the flow of it

The know of it

Even if parts of it

remain unknown.

Unknowable

Indefatigable

Unreasonable

Unseasonably

able

capable

allowable

receivable

welcomed within

with

thankfulness

and

peace.

Subliminal

in the liminal

Folding into the inner,

inter lands

Okay, your turn:

What is it about Autumn (also known as Fall) that you welcome into your experience with heart and arms wide open? What is it about this season (besides an overabundance of pumpkin spice, ha!), that you could do without? What does it mean to allow truly the leaves to change their color without resistance? Is there something you’re trying to ‘hold on to’ beyond its natural time?

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

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , ,

The trees provide

  • Sequoia Trees in Kings Canyon National Park | California – Photo © Lori A. Noonan 2022

The trees provide

without prompting

without expectation

for one

for all

of us

to prosper.

The rocks endure

the passage of time

and wayward travelers

lost inside.

  • Ascending Moro Rock | Sequoia National Park – Photo © Sarah Storey 2022

The rocks ask no questions

  • Ascending the Top of Moro Rock | Sequoia National Park – Photo © Sarah Storey 2022

The rocks tell no lies

The peaks await your arrival

your ascent

your stay for awhile

to admire the view

and take in the breeze

that swells around you

holding you in place

if only but for a moment or two

in time and space

and then descend

you must

along the way

the very way you came up

with a different view this time

and an awe-filled heart

all the same

all the way

down the mountain.

The trees wave

as you step by step

walk by

all the way down.

At the base, the ground says

hello

welcome back

how’d it go?

Okay, your turn:

Having spent the weekend in the Sierras with a supportive, wonderfully playful, and wildly creative group of co-adventurers who like to hike, I couldn’t help but share with you a poem that I was inspired to write as part of that experience. What in nature speaks to you?

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

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

/0 Comments/by
, , , , , , , , ,

Wash away

Wash away

Wash away

With the tides

all that no longer holds us

in our victimhood

 

All that is too salty

too painful

in what was once upon a time

an open wound

 

No longer open

But now healed

and firmly held

in abundant love

and full forgiveness

 

No longer open for business

Closed for the winter

not to be reopened

not to be left gaping

or oozing

for attention

 

Smoothly soothed over

Encased in the promise

of an oh perhaps not always familiar 

sheath of protection

translucent and glorious

in the natural light.

For your consideration:

During these times of global as well as for many of us local, uncertainty — in both the physical and political realms — it begs the question for each of us to consider:

What does this mean for me emotionally and spiritually? Where in my own life have I been met with uncertainty and challenges that may trigger previous wounds?  Have those wounds been healed through my physical and spiritual growth?  Am I willing to accept that healing and embrace the current (and future, because there will always be more) uncertainties and challenges from a place of healing and not open wounds?  For me, the answer is yes.

Okay, your turn:

What does it mean to you to read words like these? What, if any, emotions arise for you?

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

© 2021 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
/0 Comments/by