By Juniper Gwin (Image by Allef Vinicius)

I am sitting here in my bed, as I have been for two whole weeks, recovering from surgery. The view I have from here is my overly cluttered dresser, a disorganized bookshelf, and a peek into my closet with clothes I could probably stand to donate half of. I am confined to using a walker, so not only is that seriously disturbing my sense of self, but it means I can't move things around. I can only observe the mess I've created; I can't do anything about it. Combined with unpredictable pain, it is a recipe for a downward spiral.

Mindful intentions aren’t woo-woo. They change your brain and shape the way you live. Skeptical? Want to learn more? Take a read.

As we cross the threshold from the Wood Snake year into the Fire Horse year, we are invited into a powerful and often overlooked moment of transition. Take the time to pause and honor what you learned and what is deeply important to you so that your forward surge is intentional and aligned to your values.

From childhood to professional practice, the image of the tree has been a steady source of wisdom in my life. It is more than a symbol for me, it’s an archetype that I return to again and again that informs how I teach, connect, and heal.

Humans benefit from many kinds of resets—intentional or unintentional pauses that recalibrate the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. They interrupt stress cycles, restore energy, boost creativity, enhance clarity, and foster resilience.

A fifth way to your vitality highlights the gifts you bring to the world and how the act of cherishing and honoring these gifts and talents can help harmonize your cycle of vitality.

Get clear on some of your top values, look at your life and see how they are being honored, or not, and see how this contributes to your cycle of vitality!

Consider the people, behaviors and activities that tend to zap your energy and leave you feeling depleted and possibly a little irritable or even small. What is it about the dynamic in these situations that is causing you to feel depleted?

Life is hard work and breaks from “work” are important. We invite you to be honest with yourself and assess whether you are relaxing in a way that serves your goals and dreams…and your cycle of vitality…or not.

Where is your energy going and how are you replenishing that energy? Look at your giving and receiving.

There is an ancient teaching that has existed for as long as anything has. It is the story of beginnings and endings, expansion and contraction, giving and receiving.