What is asking to be heard within me before I can truly listen to others?
Attunement begins in stillness.
Not in the noise of fixing or striving, but in the quiet noticing of what lives within. Before we can attune to others, we must hear the subtle shifts in our own soul— the places that feel tender, the rhythms that feel off, the truths that rise like the sun.
There is a sacred timing to attunement. Like the seasons that ebb and flow.
Open yourself to the season.
-The colors -The fragrance -The sounds
Let yourself be tuned gently—not to perfection, but to presence. To what steadies. To what is true.
The Tuning continues—not to perfection, but to attunement.
Image Credit: Creative Commons Public Domain: At the centre of the tuning fork by Hubble Space Telescope / ESA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
May you listen with kindness to your own soul. May you become attuned to the rhythm that restores you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment and “like” this post. Are you enjoying this series?
What inner stirrings are beginning to surface as the season shifts?
As September emerges, the air carries a quiet invitation —not loud, not urgent, but insistent. Something is turning. Not just in the trees or the calendar, but in the soul.
What might it be?
This is the season when we begin to sense what’s ready to fall away and what longs to be gathered. Perhaps what’s falling is the need to explain ourselves. The striving. The stories we’ve outgrown.
Perhaps what’s gathering is a deeper trust. A gentler rhythm. A readiness to receive what’s next.
Or maybe it’s subtler still:
-The falling of old defenses -The gathering of courage -The falling of urgency -The gathering of presence
This is not a season of answers, but of attunement.
The Tuning begins—not to perfection, but to resonance.
Image Credit: Creative Commons Public Domain: At the centre of the tuning fork by Hubble Space Telescope / ESA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
May you honor the stirrings that ask nothing but attention- As you listen to what the season is telling you.
Are you excited to join us in this series?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment and “like” this post.
September is the season of tuning. Tuning in to where we are. A check and balance. A check-in to the soul.
Silver light casts across the fields as the moon begins her slow ascent toward fullness.
There is a call to balance. A whisper to unveil.
This series is a gentle recalibration. Each post will offer a question to ponder, a reflection to sit with, and a blessing to carry.
We won’t rush the rhythm. We’ll listen for what’s shifting—within and around us. We’ll honor the sacred tilt, the quiet unveiling, the slow return to center.
Let this be a month of tuning. Not to perfection, but to presence.
Let’s tune together!
Image Credit: Creative Commons Public Domain: At the centre of the tuning fork by Hubble Space Telescope / ESA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment and “like” this post. Are you excited to join us in this series?
It’s amazing to think that since my very first post back in 2018, this little corner of the internet has grown into something special. I’ve loved writing and sharing my thoughts about all the ups and downs of life. A huge shoutout for helping me hit 10,000 views!!
Thank you for traveling with me through California. We discovered cool places to go. Unearthed local gems. And explored soulful stays with intention.
We paused. We contemplated life. We listened for whispers from nature. We reflected on where we are — and where we’re going. We reflected. Released. Reimagined.
And maybe, along the way, you discovered something in yourself you didn’t expect.
Slow Down & Smell the Roses
Photo: From PrivateCollection
Napa taught us to reflect our souls in each wine glass. Fort Bragg showed us beauty in broken things. Sacramento reminded us to soar to new heights with courage. Thousand Oaks invited us into stillness — to rest, reflect, and listen to the quiet questions. To gather strength from within.
Treasures Found Along the Way
A more refined approach to patience and pressure. Like fermentation, transformation takes time — and yields something rich and meaningful.
A more profound sense of grace — for yourself and for others.
A renewed trust in the slow unfolding of change.
A reminder that reflection isn’t a detour. It’s the path.
An invitation to celebrate — not just milestones, but life’s everyday moments.
So here’s to lifting a glass — to healing, growth, and the journey itself.
Till We Meet Again. May reflections continue to guide you on your journey.
You’ve wandered through gardens. Hiked beneath a thousand oaks or at least a few. And let your soul replenish.
The Looking Glass
Imagine the reflection in the bubbles rising up from Paradise Falls. Or the fragrant scents at the Gardens of the World. Let these tickle your senses and reflect on yesteryear.
Let the questions come. Not the ones that are at the forefront. The ones that are crying out from the oaks. The ones that stick with you and that you can’t shake.
Let’s visit them, shall we?
What have you been carrying that no longer serves you?
Maybe it’s the weight of expectations — yours or someone else’s. Let the nature trail remind you: you don’t have to walk with them. Some burdens are meant to be set down. Or maybe even handed over to God.
Where have you been rushing — and why?
Stillness isn’t laziness. It’s wisdom. The oaks don’t hurry, and yet they grow strong.
Let your visit to Thousand Oaks remind you that healing doesn’t happen on a schedule. Sometimes the most important movement is the pause. Or the silence. Or maybe it comes in walking and talking through the world’s gardens, where harmony and peace flow through the air.
What does trust look like in this season?
Trust might look like rest. Or like asking for help. It might mean letting someone in — or letting something go.
Let the strength of Thousand Oaks show you that trust comes with time. Whether it’s trusting yourself or someone else, extend more grace as each day goes on. And see where it leads.
Ready To Reflect?
Your journey isn’t over. It’s unfolding — like a trail through the trees, like a story still being written.
You feel the sway. The shift. The sacred pause.
Let what surfaced here stay with you. Let it guide your next steps — gently, intentionally, and without rush.
Because self-discovery isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s silent. But it’s still happening.
It’s All in Your Reflection, Isn’t It?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this self-discovery reflection post. What treasure can you share with us?
Sacramento nudged you to explore historic railroad ties and cross a golden bridge. Thousand Oaks inspires you to consider a more organic perspective – something simpler, slower, and quietly transformational.
This 33-acre garden isn’t flashy — and that’s why locals love it. It’s the kind of place you stumble upon. Not a place where you aim to go. But once you are there, you’ll be glad you found it.
Wander through native plant trails, pause in the butterfly garden, or let the children’s adventure garden spark joy. A 1.5-mile nature trail dips down along a secluded stream and climbs to a hilltop view of the Conejo Valley — a prize waiting for those who linger.
Direction Matters
Every city has its own rhythm. Thousand Oaks moves gently — like wind through branches, like footsteps on a shaded trail.
Life, like wine, needs breathing room. And sometimes, it requires a change of scenery to remind us what still matters.
Go ahead. Wander off course. Let the stillness show you what’s been waiting to be seen.
Let nature reset your compass.
Pour a Glass – Will Ya?
Try a glass of Malbec from Malibu Coast. Bold, earthy, with hints of plum and spice. It’s a wine that speaks of resilience — grown in rugged terrain, shaped by coastal winds.
Let it linger. Let it speak. Let it remind you that beauty often comes from places that had to fight to grow.
Reset and Refresh
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to walk on a nature trail beneath the oaks.
To listen to the leaves. To let the trail do the talking.
Like relationships, trails rarely follow straight lines. They curve. They climb. Yet, if you are quiet, they speak to you. In stillness. In nature. Your heart begins to shift. Finding rhythm, again. Where you can reset and refresh.
Because sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery.
It’s All in The Reflection
Next time, we’ll find rest – where dreams and souls drift through time and space.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Thousand Oaks. Where is your favorite off the beaten path place?
Image Source: Bing Map with Image Overlay Wine Glass Image Credit: Alex Levich, Graphic Designer
Ready for a reset?
Rolling hills cradle quiet trails in Thousand Oaks, CA.
It’s where nature meets nuance.
This isn’t a place that shouts. It whispers. It welcomes. It waits.
Go ahead, explore, my friend.
Cool Places To Go
Paradise Falls
Tucked inside Wildwood Regional Park, Paradise Falls is a 40-foot waterfall surrounded by trails, canyons, and oak trees. It’s not just a hike — it’s a journey.
A journey of your senses. Where you hear falling water. And see bubbles rising like breath.
Take a moment. Pause. Savor the rush of water. Let the falls wash away the worry, guilt, and fear.
One step, one bubble at a time.
Gardens of the World
This cool place will warm your soul. Right in the heart of Thousand Oaks lies the Gardens of the World. Each international-inspired garden invites a different kind of reflection. Go ahead. Try writing poetry. Take pen to paper and describe what you see.
Do you hear the Japanese Garden whisper balance and harmony? Does peace fill your soul watching the cascading waterfall in the French Garden? What about the grape arbors and cypress trees swaying in the Italian Garden? Then, complete your tour in the English Garden, where your mood will lift among the vivid blooms.
Try to catch one of the rotating art exhibits in this magical garden. Perfect for a solo wander or a meaningful walk with someone you love. Admission is complimentary.
The reflections are priceless.
The Promenade at Westlake
Ready to shop till you drop?
While at this shopping and dining mecca at The Promenade at Westlake, stop at La La Land Kind Cafe. Their mission seeks to normalize kindness by creating a space of joy where guests can walk in and be themselves. Kooky and all.
Whether you grab a coffee or watch the ducks drift, let the day unfold slowly. Savor each drop of joy.
Remember, we all have baggage that we carry. Be gentle to others, and be gentle to yourself.
Joy isn’t found in outside places; it’s waiting within.
It’s All in The Reflection
Next time, we’ll wander off the beaten path. See you there!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Thousand Oaks. Where is your favorite place to go?
You’ve boarded the train. Watched the river shimmer. Sipped wine. And let your soul rest. What’s rising to the surface?
The Looking Glass
Imagine the reflections in the Sacramento River. Or in the windows on the train. Let the ripples mirror your thoughts.
Let the questions come – not ones that need answers right away. The kind that echoes. Like footsteps along the waterfront.
What might they be?
Did you allow yourself to be still long enough to hear what your soul was saying? What did the rhythm of the train stir in you — longing, memory, or hope?
Maybe it stirred something once buried. A gentle reminder that movement doesn’t always mean progress. But sometimes return. Returning to something that needs to be processed. Or healed. Stillness can be a doorway. Not a delay.
Did the river reflect something you hadn’t named yet?
Still waters don’t always mean peace. Sometimes they mean depth. Sometimes they mean waiting.
Which moment felt like a mirror — showing you something you hadn’t seen before?
The realization of considering other perspectives. Or it could be the instant a stranger nodded and smiled. Maybe it was the train echoing a sound you forgot about that triggered something you needed to remember.
Did the rooftop pool invite you to float or to let go?
Letting go doesn’t always mean surrender — sometimes it means trust. To trust in yourself. To trust others.
Remember, rest can be a form of courage. Floating permits you to lift the weight of expectations. If for only a moment.
Ready to Reflect
Your journey isn’t over. It’s unfolding. Like a bridge over a river. Like a train rounding the bend.
You feel the vibrations. The sway. The strength.
We all need strong tracks, especially in relationships. Tracks built on respect and trust.
Tracks that offer grace. Tracks that guide us in the right direction, even when we get derailed.
Because what matters isn’t just where you’re going, it’s how you arrive. With awareness. With a new perspective.
It’s in Your Reflection, Isn’t it?
Still with me? Ready to visit Thousand Oaks? Thousand Oaks will be our next destination.
So pull up a chair. Pour a beverage. Something bold or bubbly. Your choice. We’ll meet in Thousand Oaks. See you there!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this self-discovery reflection post. What treasure can you share with us?
I and Thou Reflections 