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?
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?
You’ve sipped coffee, sampled wine, and watched waves roll in. What’s rising to the surface?
The Looking Glass
Imagine the reflections in Pudding Creek. Let the ripples mirror your thoughts.
Let questions come — not with urgency, but with patience.
What do you see in your wine glass or mirror?
Sea glass doesn’t start out beautiful. It’s broken, tossed, and reshaped by time. Relationships are no different. Some break. Some get tossed around. And some are reshaped by time.
What might they be?
Are you affirming your partner? Or ignoring them? Do you value what your partner says? Or do you dismiss them?
Does your partner feel known?
Sometimes you think you’re connecting, but really just skimming the surface. Have you asked deep questions to make your partner feel heard? Is there anything brewing beneath the surface?
Are you focusing on changing them more than cherishing them?
Sea glass is shaped slowly. So are people. What beauty might emerge if you paused the polishing and celebrated the shimmer?
Do you offer grace before you are asked?
Relationships aren’t exchanges or transactions. They breathe like a fine wine. They ebb and flow. When have you extended patience, like a wave that rolls in slowly, with nowhere else to be?
Have I mistaken quiet for distance? Or space for rejection?
Sometimes silence isn’t pulling away. Sometimes it is necessary to rise to the surface to take a breath. When was the last time you asked about the silence?
Ready To Reflect?
Your journey isn’t over. It’s unfolding. Like flowers blooming. Like a hole-in-one. It’s in the swing. The direction. The movement. Then gentle alignment. Like the stars. You feel them. Yet, sometimes, can’t see them behind the clouds. And that is okay.
Why?
Because what matters isn’t just what you see up in the sky —
It’s in Your Reflection, Isn’t it?
Ready to go to the next destination? Sacramento will be our next stop.
So pull up a chair. Pour a beverage. Something bold or bubbly. Your choice. We’ll meet in Sacramento. See you there!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this quiet time for reflection. What is the nugget of wisdom that you want to share?
You’ve wandered, tasted, sketched… and now, the wine glass is half full. What’s rising to the surface?
The Looking Glass
Think back to the Main Street Dock or China Point Overlook. Imagine the river flowing through your soul. Let it mirror your thoughts.
Let questions come — not with urgency, but with patience.
What might they be?
What needs aging in your life before it’s ready to pour?
Some things aren’t meant to be rushed. Like trust. Or wisdom. Sometimes you need to walk the long road twice.
What parts of your story are still in the barrel? Quietly aging and gaining a deeper, richer meaning?
Where has love been quietly maturing beneath the surface?
Love doesn’t always announce itself with fireworks. Sometimes it waits. Steady, soaking in moments of faithfulness, tenderness, and care.
Where has love shown up in your life like an old vine you forgot was growing? What might bloom if you take the time to tend to it?
If healing were a vintage, what year would it begin?
Think back. Not just to the moment of pain, but to when you first chose to begin again. To move forward? Maybe the vintage was the year you forgave. Or the season when grief softened.
Healing doesn’t come with a label, but it has a flavor — one that deepens with every passing year. Can you taste the grace in it now?
Is your heart craving boldness — or balance?
Life will ask you to leap… and to linger. There are seasons where the spirit thirsts for risk, and others where it seeks harmony.
What’s your soul aching for in this moment? Are you pouring too fast, or holding back? Listen closely — the answer might be a blend of both.
And when was the last time you let silence speak first?
Before the conversation. Before the solution. Before the next chapter.
When did you last let quiet be your guide?
Silence doesn’t mean absence — it often means presence. Maybe the pause is where the real pour begins. What do you think?
Ready To Reflect?
Your journey isn’t over. It’s unfolding. Like flavor. Like grace. Like memories swirling at the bottom of the glass. You feel them. Yet, sometimes don’t remember the details. And that is okay.
Why?
Because what matters isn’t just what you see around you —
It’s in Your Reflection, Isn’t It?
Are we still good? Ready to forge ahead? Fort Bragg will be our next stop.
So pull up a chair. Pour a beverage. Something bold or bubbly. Your choice. We’ll meet in Fort Bragg. See you there!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this quiet time for reflection. What is your nugget of wisdom that you might want to share?
Reading how God uses weather to serve purposes for the greater good is fascinating. Today, we will look at the Israelites wandering in the desert.
A Pillar of Cloud.
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
Exodus 13:21
God’s Navigational System.
After the 10 plagues in Egypt, the Israelites began their 40-year trek in the wilderness. At first, they were afraid. They didn’t know where to go. They cried out to God. God sent a cloud by day and fire by night to lead them. Of course, they thought it would take less than forty years. They probably thought it would take only a few months. Can you imagine traveling as a “people” with thousands of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers?
The Building of a Leader.
At first, Moses did not think he was capable of leading anyone. He told God that he was slow in speech and tongue. (Exodus 4:10) God wanted to use Moses because of Moses’ humility and willingness to follow God’s direction. God rarely uses the eloquent, strong person to accomplish his mission. He chooses the most unlikely people who turn around and become strong, vibrant leaders.
A Resilient People.
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Moses spent years honing his leadership skills in managing this great exodus. He learned patience, delegation, and conflict management. His vision and direction created a resilient people. After Moses passed away, God called Joshua to bring the Israelites to Caanan.
Lessons Learned
#1. Strength Comes from Unity and Community. #2. Wisdom and Inspiration can be found in Family Connections. #3. Obstacles Prepare Us for Our Life Journey.
Together is Better
In a world where we may feel alone, we can find others who identify with us and can help us overcome challenges. We can achieve goals by leaning on each other for encouragement and support. Can you think of a time when you were discouraged and wanted to quit, yet a friend or loved one encouraged you to continue? What was the outcome?
Gene Pool
Do you have a hankering for salt air? Or you like the cold when it nips your nose. The geographical location of your family of origin might shed some light on some of these quirky feelings you have had all your life.
Family stories provide us with a rich history of what our ancestor’s life journeys may have been like. These stories teach us values. And values can be strengthened by a greater sense of identity and connection to your heritage. Were your family members born during a time of conflict? A time of peace? Did they travel to another place? Was there a failed business? A successful business? Did any of your family members possess a specific talent or skill?
Twists and Turns.
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Many of which require hard work. Completing a high school education, college degree, or a trade certification. Or saving for a down payment on a home. What lessons can we learn from the path that leads to our “promised land?”
Maybe the next time you think something is taking “forever” – think again! Let us remember the story of Moses and the wandering Israelites. How steadfast a people continue to flourish despite all odds.
Track down your family tree.
Explore birthplaces.
Be thankful for family.
Take a Deep Breath.
Let’s breathe in wisdom and inspiration and exhale disbelief and pride.
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When the Spirit of God falls on you, there is a choice. Do you accept it? Or deny it? If you choose the Spirit, then the Spirit will enter the very depth of your soul.
So, how do you think that happens?
In this blog post, I have taken the liberty of looking at random phrases in The Bible where the word “fall” is used. I will focus on “fall” and the personal pronoun “you.” Go ahead and read each of them:
Fall on you – Deu. 31:29
Fall upon you – Isaiah 47:11
Fall within you – Ez. 28:23
Fall away on account of you – Matt. 26:33
Now, reread them slowly. What themes come to your mind? The themes of Spirit and relationship come to my mind when I read these phrases collectively. For the sake of clarity, let’s call Spirit the voice of God. For me, the Spirit can fall on me, upon me, within me, and away on account of me. Relationship, for this blog post, refers to two people who interact at some level. They can be couples, family members, friends, and colleagues. Like the Spirit, relationships can fall on me, upon me, within me, and away on account of me. Let’s further explore – shall we?
Falling on you and falling upon you are interchangeable and simply means the Spirit is with you. Falling within you refers to an inward flow of the Spirit through you, and falling away on account of you seems to me to imply a divide or separation. How about you?
When the Spirit of God falls on you, there is a choice. Do you accept it? Or deny it? And, when there is a falling away, what prompted it? A behavior. An action. A word. Or, perhaps sin!
For me, Spirit and relationship intertwine, and I can’t have one without the other. For me, it is about faith. Faith in God. Faith in myself and faith in others. If you surrender yourself to a higher power and open your mind to new possibilities, I believe the Spirit within you will attract others who may need or want you to be in your life. And, that may be a greater purpose is being fulfilled. And, how awesome is that?
Spirit Wisdom – Global Level
How often do you ask God to help people? Feed the hungry. Give to the poor. Shelter the homeless and support meaningful organizations. I call these global needs – praying and meditating on the world as one family. One humankind. One connection. Humans connecting through shared needs. I would venture to say that the majority of us have asked God to help others. Whether it has been for a sick loved one or to comfort a family in losing a loved one.
In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he refers to the most attainable need as “physiological needs,” what I call” shared needs.” For example, how food and water sustain life. He refers to the least attainable need as “self-actualization” as the highest level of psychological development where the personal potential is fulfilled. I call this “being the best human you can be.” And, how can you become the best human you can be?
What if you flip this thought process upside down and connect to all the people in the world through the Spirit, focusing on shared needs and replacing personal potential with collective potential? What do you think? For me, it is similar to the concept of “it takes a village.” It is collective potential that makes the world a better place. One family under God. Global!
Spirit Wisdom – Personal Level
As you tap into the wisdom of the Spirit, you have every human right to bring your personal thoughts and requests forward. Pray. Meditate. Bring value to yourself and to others. Open your heart and let God hear you!
Keep in mind that seeking wisdom from the Spirit enhances yourself, your relationships, day-to-day issues, and decisions. In contrast to the global level, the personal level encourages you to see yourself through the eyes of others. How do others perceive you? What type of personal work do you need to do on yourself – for yourself? How are your compassion, empathy, servant leadership, and acceptance levels? Do they pass the test of time? Or, are you like me, and you have to work at being more compassionate and accepting? There is time to change. Always! So, what can you do to make yourself a better person?
Jesus! Do you ever wonder about Jesus and His life on earth? His childhood? What types of food He liked? What or who comforted Him? I don’t have a clue. I do know that Jesus took an interest in others before, during, and after He received the Spirit as the dove descended upon Him while being baptized by John. It is this same Spirit that can enter you. What are you waiting for?
Jesus loved, healed, and offered eternal life and knew He was unique. He knew He was a part of God – from the beginning. And during his life, He consistently prayed to God. Being the best starts with understanding your unique place in the world and balancing yourself in a relationship with others. Just like Jesus did. With Jesus – it is personal!
Spirit Wisdom – Relationships
For me, relationships can fall on me, fall upon me, fall within me and fall away on account of me. Relationships that fall on or upon you are those where people cross your life path. To help you for a season or more. Take siblings, for example. You grow up with brothers or sisters, or both, and typically have a relationship with them for your entire life, whereas others come and go throughout your lifetime.
Relationships that fall within you are those relationships that tug at the core of your being. It could be how you talk to God. Do you talk to God? Or when you marry. Or when you have children. Falling within means the person takes up residence in your heart, and these relationships take time, energy, and if you really want it to work well, financial resources. Sure, you can love someone and spend time with them doing activities that don’t require money, such as playing frisbee in the park, taking turns reading a good book, and walking on the beach. Yet, at some point, you will have to eat and sleep. For me, money equals trust. That has been my experience time and time again. Just ask me!
When a relationship does fall away, ask yourself, was it your behavior, an action, or a word? If a relationship divides or separation occurs, perform an introspection. Ask the Spirit to reveal what may have caused the rift. Sometimes, relationships fall away and have nothing to do with you, or your behavior, action, or word stressing the relationship. In some cases, people fall away for their own reasons. Whatever the case, be sure to seek wisdom from the Spirit. Reflect on yourself, make changes when and if appropriate, and follow the call of God.
Your Choice
When the Spirit of God falls on you, there is a choice. Do you accept it? Or deny it? If you receive it, the Spirit can guide you globally and personally in all of your relationships by tapping into its wisdom!
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I and Thou Reflections 
