I look forward to your 2026 articles. Your writing almost always gets me thinking from a new angle. If you get overwhelmed and have to take a break now and again, that's okay. I understand.
Thinking of you, Sandra. 💕 I know how determined you are so I can imagine its been rough. I'm sorry about the back and neck pain -- that sounds scary & debilitating. 😔 But, kudos to you for following through and for your successes. 👏 If you can only publish twice a month that's totally fine. Happy New Year. 🌟
I also want to tell you that my post on Friday is all about knowing when to let go. If you're interested (It's only about a 4 minute read), You can find it here: Which Way Do You Swing? Why we crave structure…until we don’t.
Sandra, whatever pace you choose to set for yourself here on Substack, I support it. I believe most of your readers will too.
I'm sorry you've had a challenging year with health issues. It's such the way it is - to have offered so much of yourself in the way of creative expression at the same time holding the challenge, then moving through it.
As I finished my series on Thresholds, I was once again struck by how much of life involves standing at the threshold, crossing over it, and then learning who we want to be in the new world we enter.
Paulette, Thank you for your supportive message. It has been one of my most difficult years physically, but I always try to remember that others face much more pain than I do. That helps me keep things in perspective. I've still been able to meditate every day, which is what nourishes me the most. This has indeed been like a Threshold! I'm so grateful for your support and our connection. Wishing you well in the New Year.
Something unexpected came up for me here. I started wondering if letting go is less an action and more a consequence. Not something we do, but something that happens after we’ve exhausted the strategies that once worked.
Reading about the body interruptions, the injuries, the dizziness, I didn’t hear punishment or lesson. I heard a conversation that finally got loud enough to be unavoidable. Almost like the body saying, I’m not negotiating anymore.
That doesn’t make the year a failure to me. It makes it a threshold. One you didn’t rush to name or explain. You just stood there and told us what it felt like to be in it.
Alexander, I love how you've captured what I've tried to convey in this piece. Rather than failing at letting go, all that occurred took me to a threshold where letting go became possible. In my case, letting go was definitely a consequence. I think it can be an action, too. If we're conscious when we meditate, every out-breath is an act of letting go. Choosing naps over tasks would be another example of letting go of my habitual ways. Your insights, together with other comments, suggest that my North Node (astrological) cycle of letting go may not be over. That makes sense, because I have 7 months to go before the North Node moves. But I might try the tiny steps, like naps and daydreaming, rather than the huge expectations. Thank you!
I am sorry this has been such a challenging year for you, physically -- which no doubt can create emotional and mental challenges as well. As I read all you've done this year, I am in awe. Publishing on Substack six times a month is A LOT!!! I fully support a shift to a twice-a-month publishing cycle, that sounds so much more nourishing for your body and soul right now.
And creating the notebooks PLUS the Buddha Journal is also a huge achievement! I hope you can rest in that sense of accomplishment and know many people are benefitting from your beautiful creations.
I'm not sure where I'm at with letting go, it's not something I really think about too much. The past five years, life has had a way of inviting me to let go of people and animals I love, so it really hasn't been a choice, it's been a practice point. Just breathing into it all... that's about all we can ever do!
So glad you're here, Sandra, and I wish you a deeply restful winter solstice and end of the year.
Maia, thank you for your good wishes, insightful thoughts, and heartfelt encouragement to slow down. You've had a lot of letting go the last five years, and I see what you mean about it being a practice point rather than a choice, and not necessarily an easy one. I appreciate your courage in facing each of these challenging circumstances.
I leaned into the letting go goal because, astrologically, I'm meant to be moving toward a more Pisces, go-with-the-flow approach and letting go of my less-ideal Virgo tendencies. Some of that can be action-oriented, such as taking more naps and daydreaming. My north node will be in Pisces for another 7 months, so I'm not done with this cycle. Maybe I can embrace the more relaxing aspects of letting go in the next few months. We'll see.
I'm so grateful that we have reconnected on Substack, and I appreciate all the goodness you share with the world.
I think letting go comes hard for many of us. It sure comes hard for me! Nothing bring up my inner fascist perfectionist than setting "letting go" as a goal. Oh boy!
For 2026 I have a handful of "projects" I want to do. I believe they will help my business but I also want to do them because I like opening myself up to serendipity. I'll meet new people. I'll have some interesting experiences. I'll be exposed to cool, new ideas.
I feel incredibly irresponsible writing this but If I don't have fun I'll burn out and if that's the case I might as well get a salaried job working for someone else. Being a burned out business owner really sucks.
Judy, how wise of you to sense beforehand that such a lofty goal as “letting go” will not necessarily end well. I think you're right to choose fun. When we don’t follow our joy, life feels dried up and hard! Thanks for sharing your insights as we begin to set our aspirations for 2026.
Sandra, you are a dear, tender, loving soul and there is only one of you so you need to take care of yourself!!
I'm very impressed with everything you've gotten accomplished and learned because I'm one who starts things, but doesn't finish them so you should be VERY proud of yourself!!
I can also personally testify about your notebooks because I loved mine! Not only is it beautiful, but the quality of paper is excellent!!
Here's to your health, healing and happiness and all the best in 2026!!
Diane, thank you so much for your kind support and positive words about my notebooks. I am proud of myself, and at the same time, I recognize when it’s finally time to take a real break. I will follow your advice and take care of myself; in fact, I had a good sleep-in today. I can also have a hard time completing projects, so I empathize with your challenge. Wishing you the best, always.
Sandra, this felt honest in a way that only comes from pushing too hard and finally listening. Sometimes the body forces the pause the mind keeps postponing. Wishing you ease and steadier ground as you step into a slower rhythm.
Sandra, I am soooo impressed by what you accomplished this year. You should be sooooo proud. And yes, listen to your Buddha teachings and take care of yourself now. 2 times a month is sufficient for anyone, especially those of us who put a lot of research and ourselves into the posts. Relax, take care of yourself, and then tell us all what you've learned from it that we can learn from. Blue💙
Karen, thank you so much for the acknowledgement and for the encouragement to take care of myself. I like your suggestion to tell my readers what I've learned as I've slowed down. I already have my next post in mind, but since I'm taking a break, it won't be till January. That's just how my mind works.
I am sorry that I haven't been around lately but this post just reminded me about how I enjoy your writings. Thank you for being honest and open about your challenges with letting go. Don't we all face them?
Reading about how you embarked on a new journey of creating notebooks and a journal also reminded me about how I had poured energies into mine. The creative process was stimulating but at the same time, emotionally exhausting. Glad to know that you pushed through despite all the issues that arose.
Please take care of your health. Wishing you the very best in the new year ahead!
Evelyn, I appreciate our long-time connection in this crazy online world. We've navigated so much over the years, and it's okay if you haven't been around as much lately. I always know you're doing good things in the world.
It was interesting to hear that you found your KDP journey emotionally exhausting. It has been rewarding in one way, but I need a break now, and who knows what the future holds.
I appreciate your kindness and support, Evelyn, and also wish you the very best year ahead.
Likewise. I appreciate our long-time connection even though we've never physically met. Well, at least not yet. Your friendship and kind thoughts mean a lot to me :)
Have a good rest! Hope to stay in touch in the new year and beyond!
I am so happy to read that you are proud of what you have accomplished this year, Sandra. What a list of accomplishments you documented - and during a year filled with physical challenges. And now you are modeling self-care with an few upcoming changes. You continue to be an inspiration!
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a truly wonderful New Year! 💕
Cathy, I feel such a beautiful, upbeat energy coming through your words! I could bask in it for a while. Thank you for your good wishes, and I'm hoping you also have happiness and all the goodness you deserve in the New Year.
I look forward to your 2026 articles. Your writing almost always gets me thinking from a new angle. If you get overwhelmed and have to take a break now and again, that's okay. I understand.
Tahm, I so appreciate hearing that! Thank you for your support and presence! Wishing you a great year ahead.
Thinking of you, Sandra. 💕 I know how determined you are so I can imagine its been rough. I'm sorry about the back and neck pain -- that sounds scary & debilitating. 😔 But, kudos to you for following through and for your successes. 👏 If you can only publish twice a month that's totally fine. Happy New Year. 🌟
I also want to tell you that my post on Friday is all about knowing when to let go. If you're interested (It's only about a 4 minute read), You can find it here: Which Way Do You Swing? Why we crave structure…until we don’t.
https://reinventyourlife.substack.com/p/which-way-do-you-swing?r=6hgte.
If you have time to read it, I'd love your feedback. Have a great holiday season and 2026. Blue💙
Sandra, whatever pace you choose to set for yourself here on Substack, I support it. I believe most of your readers will too.
I'm sorry you've had a challenging year with health issues. It's such the way it is - to have offered so much of yourself in the way of creative expression at the same time holding the challenge, then moving through it.
As I finished my series on Thresholds, I was once again struck by how much of life involves standing at the threshold, crossing over it, and then learning who we want to be in the new world we enter.
Be well, my friend.
Paulette, Thank you for your supportive message. It has been one of my most difficult years physically, but I always try to remember that others face much more pain than I do. That helps me keep things in perspective. I've still been able to meditate every day, which is what nourishes me the most. This has indeed been like a Threshold! I'm so grateful for your support and our connection. Wishing you well in the New Year.
I'm happy to hear you're able to do the things that nourish you both physically and spiritually—wishing you the same!
Something unexpected came up for me here. I started wondering if letting go is less an action and more a consequence. Not something we do, but something that happens after we’ve exhausted the strategies that once worked.
Reading about the body interruptions, the injuries, the dizziness, I didn’t hear punishment or lesson. I heard a conversation that finally got loud enough to be unavoidable. Almost like the body saying, I’m not negotiating anymore.
That doesn’t make the year a failure to me. It makes it a threshold. One you didn’t rush to name or explain. You just stood there and told us what it felt like to be in it.
Alexander, I love how you've captured what I've tried to convey in this piece. Rather than failing at letting go, all that occurred took me to a threshold where letting go became possible. In my case, letting go was definitely a consequence. I think it can be an action, too. If we're conscious when we meditate, every out-breath is an act of letting go. Choosing naps over tasks would be another example of letting go of my habitual ways. Your insights, together with other comments, suggest that my North Node (astrological) cycle of letting go may not be over. That makes sense, because I have 7 months to go before the North Node moves. But I might try the tiny steps, like naps and daydreaming, rather than the huge expectations. Thank you!
Dear Sandra,
I am sorry this has been such a challenging year for you, physically -- which no doubt can create emotional and mental challenges as well. As I read all you've done this year, I am in awe. Publishing on Substack six times a month is A LOT!!! I fully support a shift to a twice-a-month publishing cycle, that sounds so much more nourishing for your body and soul right now.
And creating the notebooks PLUS the Buddha Journal is also a huge achievement! I hope you can rest in that sense of accomplishment and know many people are benefitting from your beautiful creations.
I'm not sure where I'm at with letting go, it's not something I really think about too much. The past five years, life has had a way of inviting me to let go of people and animals I love, so it really hasn't been a choice, it's been a practice point. Just breathing into it all... that's about all we can ever do!
So glad you're here, Sandra, and I wish you a deeply restful winter solstice and end of the year.
Maia, thank you for your good wishes, insightful thoughts, and heartfelt encouragement to slow down. You've had a lot of letting go the last five years, and I see what you mean about it being a practice point rather than a choice, and not necessarily an easy one. I appreciate your courage in facing each of these challenging circumstances.
I leaned into the letting go goal because, astrologically, I'm meant to be moving toward a more Pisces, go-with-the-flow approach and letting go of my less-ideal Virgo tendencies. Some of that can be action-oriented, such as taking more naps and daydreaming. My north node will be in Pisces for another 7 months, so I'm not done with this cycle. Maybe I can embrace the more relaxing aspects of letting go in the next few months. We'll see.
I'm so grateful that we have reconnected on Substack, and I appreciate all the goodness you share with the world.
I think letting go comes hard for many of us. It sure comes hard for me! Nothing bring up my inner fascist perfectionist than setting "letting go" as a goal. Oh boy!
For 2026 I have a handful of "projects" I want to do. I believe they will help my business but I also want to do them because I like opening myself up to serendipity. I'll meet new people. I'll have some interesting experiences. I'll be exposed to cool, new ideas.
I feel incredibly irresponsible writing this but If I don't have fun I'll burn out and if that's the case I might as well get a salaried job working for someone else. Being a burned out business owner really sucks.
Judy, how wise of you to sense beforehand that such a lofty goal as “letting go” will not necessarily end well. I think you're right to choose fun. When we don’t follow our joy, life feels dried up and hard! Thanks for sharing your insights as we begin to set our aspirations for 2026.
Sandra, you are a dear, tender, loving soul and there is only one of you so you need to take care of yourself!!
I'm very impressed with everything you've gotten accomplished and learned because I'm one who starts things, but doesn't finish them so you should be VERY proud of yourself!!
I can also personally testify about your notebooks because I loved mine! Not only is it beautiful, but the quality of paper is excellent!!
Here's to your health, healing and happiness and all the best in 2026!!
With love, Diane
Diane, thank you so much for your kind support and positive words about my notebooks. I am proud of myself, and at the same time, I recognize when it’s finally time to take a real break. I will follow your advice and take care of myself; in fact, I had a good sleep-in today. I can also have a hard time completing projects, so I empathize with your challenge. Wishing you the best, always.
Being able to sleep in is the best!!!
Sandra, this felt honest in a way that only comes from pushing too hard and finally listening. Sometimes the body forces the pause the mind keeps postponing. Wishing you ease and steadier ground as you step into a slower rhythm.
Very insightful, George! You are reading me like a map. Thanks for the good wishes!
Sandra, I am soooo impressed by what you accomplished this year. You should be sooooo proud. And yes, listen to your Buddha teachings and take care of yourself now. 2 times a month is sufficient for anyone, especially those of us who put a lot of research and ourselves into the posts. Relax, take care of yourself, and then tell us all what you've learned from it that we can learn from. Blue💙
Karen, thank you so much for the acknowledgement and for the encouragement to take care of myself. I like your suggestion to tell my readers what I've learned as I've slowed down. I already have my next post in mind, but since I'm taking a break, it won't be till January. That's just how my mind works.
Yes... look after You...Sandra... cause without you....there will be no more Wild Arisings...
Brenda, thank you for your support. Your presence means so much to me.
I am sorry that I haven't been around lately but this post just reminded me about how I enjoy your writings. Thank you for being honest and open about your challenges with letting go. Don't we all face them?
Reading about how you embarked on a new journey of creating notebooks and a journal also reminded me about how I had poured energies into mine. The creative process was stimulating but at the same time, emotionally exhausting. Glad to know that you pushed through despite all the issues that arose.
Please take care of your health. Wishing you the very best in the new year ahead!
Evelyn, I appreciate our long-time connection in this crazy online world. We've navigated so much over the years, and it's okay if you haven't been around as much lately. I always know you're doing good things in the world.
It was interesting to hear that you found your KDP journey emotionally exhausting. It has been rewarding in one way, but I need a break now, and who knows what the future holds.
I appreciate your kindness and support, Evelyn, and also wish you the very best year ahead.
Dear Sandra,
Likewise. I appreciate our long-time connection even though we've never physically met. Well, at least not yet. Your friendship and kind thoughts mean a lot to me :)
Have a good rest! Hope to stay in touch in the new year and beyond!
xx
I am so happy to read that you are proud of what you have accomplished this year, Sandra. What a list of accomplishments you documented - and during a year filled with physical challenges. And now you are modeling self-care with an few upcoming changes. You continue to be an inspiration!
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a truly wonderful New Year! 💕
Cathy, I feel such a beautiful, upbeat energy coming through your words! I could bask in it for a while. Thank you for your good wishes, and I'm hoping you also have happiness and all the goodness you deserve in the New Year.