What was your last victory and what wins did you collect along the way? 

Challenging the status quo takes guts and fortitude. 

Are you ready to try something new? 

I got back on my downhill skis this year after not skiing for about a decade. 

It was humbling. 

I love to move mindfully. 

I thought I was in pretty good shape. 

After three runs, my thighs were on fire. 

Was it time for cocoa? 

Will this ever be fun? 

It doesn’t help that everyone in my family is a (much, much) better skier than I. 

They’re very kind, and encouraging. 

Someone has to be the last one down the hill, right? 

Talking to one of my sons, he said, Mom, it’s just TOS, or time on skis. 

Right. 

So, basically, there’s no way I’ll ever catch up. 

That’s ok. 

Who doesn’t love a generous serving of humble pie? 

Then, I started thinking about you, and my clients....

June 2023 Newsletter   How will you allow this abundant season to support you? 

What is in your daily routine that allows you to enjoy life, and, at the same time, make the world a better place? This is a rich and generous time of year. There is an innocence in the air, before the full-on energy of summer. Take note of best practices to magnify your energy. 

This month includes the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. Rest completely in the few hours of nighttime. These weeks that approaches the solstice are sweet. The days continue to lengthen. There’s an expansion of energy as the trees unfurl their beauty, and vegetables and flowers burst into new stages of growth and abundance. Breathe in the cherry and apple blossoms’ sweetness. Close your eyes and soak in the ephemeral scents of lilacs and peonies.

 In Native American tradition, we move from the time of the child in the spring to the teenager in the summer....

May 2023 Newsletter

Does focus come easily? 

Or are you easily distractable?

I’m sure you have goals for the spring/summer.

Hopefully, your good health is at the top of your daily to-do list. 

How do you describe a life well spent?

Focus, and don’t delay. 

Focus. This is the word that keeps sounding when it’s quiet, in my heart and mind. 

Have you heard the saying, “The days are long, and the years are short”? It’s so true. 

We make our way through each day, hopefully bringing more peace and love into the world. One day might not be a game changer and yet, these 24-hour segments comprise our lives. 

Are you making the most of yours? 

Perhaps being a Gigi and noticing how fast the time flies while watching my grandson’s growth and progress makes me more aware of the fleeting quality of time. 

What does it mean to focus? As we age, the brevity of life becomes more...

April 2023 Newsletter      Are transitions hard for you?

Transitions can be hard. Be gentle with yourself. 

One of the foundational beliefs in my company ARAY Wellness Coaching is that there isn’t anything stronger than a circle of women. Support is critical. Shifts can be challenging. That’s what makes them exciting, and, let’s not forget, hard. 

I remember, years ago, the dread when it was the end of my kids’ three hours of TV time/week. They’d fuss and try to finagle more screen time. I’d feel exhausted and they’d stomp off to their rooms or out into the yard. 

I’m noticing a similarity in myself as as days lengthen and temperatures rise. All winter, we’ve been cozy on the couch, reading or binge-watching shows and movies. We’ve slept more. We’ve run from our cars into the house. We haven’t had as much interaction with others. 

Now,...

March 2023 newsletter

Announcing the re-launching of  

Mindfully Renew and Magnify your Energy Retreat

This re-energizing retreat was planned in 2020. 

There was lots of excitement, but the pandemic had other ideas.

We are now ready to relaunch the invitation again!                                    

Here is an awesome offer for the

Mindfully Renew and Magnify your Energy Retreat

Sunday July 23 – Friday, July 28, 2023 at Blacktail Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana.

Explore this lovely land as you take optimal steps that will lead to your best health.  

Are you ready for an adventure?

And to take time for yourself to breathe, and heal?

Do you like bonding with heart-centered women?

Are you ready to have fun and play in the majestic mountains of Montana? 

Are you interested in learning healing activities on sacred...

Dec/Jan 2023 newsletter by kathy smith

Do you have a favorite tree? Recently while listening to a sermon, our minister referred to a tree on the edge of a field. 

Has this ever happened to you? That someone will say something and a whole experience unravels in your mind?

That's what transpired a few weeks ago. I saw myself with my daughter on our trip of a lifetime in Bali. We sat on our balcony that overlooked an enormous tree. In the morning we watched hundreds of birds rise up to the outermost branches and fly off for the day. In the evening, the birds would return back into the protection of the branches for the night.

This is a tree that I return to, in my mind, often. It's now become a symbol for how important deep roots are, as well as branches that reach skyward. As we age, trees can become symbolic for us. We want to stand tall, and weather storms. We want to be a refuge for others and to stand tall, to support ourselves, and others. We expand our horizons. 

Reading...

November 2022 Blog

How do you express gratitude for the most precious gift ever? 

 There is boundless love surrounding our first grandson, Henry. 

I step into the newest, and next, phase of maternal love. 

It’s a delicate balance ~ 

Visit but not too long ~ 

Be that extra pair of hands ~

Shop and make meals ~ 

Offer wisdom but not too much ~

How to help…

Keep showing up. 

A dear friend and I say this to each other on a regular basis. 

It’s what we do, now that our kids are grown.  

Now that the next generation is joining us.

We stand in witness of their amazing life choices. 

Showing up… It’s how we give back. 

And forward to the next generation.

Henry is the sweetest bundle of joy. 

He’s awake for about an hour during the day. 

(What happens from 9pm-when we leave- and 9am-when we return to visit with Kelsey, Rich and...

AUGUST 2022 BLOG

Does this describe you? Squats well with others!  

I am grateful for the energy surges I receive when I push my body, just to the limit. Sometimes my body gives me a ticket when I’ve gone over the edge. That’s when I’m so glad to have a few self-care tricks up my sleeve. 

Now you can too.  

Warm it Up!

OK, maybe it’s a sign of graceful aging…I keep a heating pad next to my desk and use it often. 

My chiropractor recommended using heat for 20 minutes, a few times a day. 

I use one like this. The pad itself is a little longer so I can sit on it in the middle and get both my lower back and hamstrings. 

It’s great to have the 2 hour shut-off in case I forget to turn it off. 

Three heat settings offer options and the cover is washable. 

I’ll use it in the morning before I do my work out and I’ve warmed up my spine before I even start my warm...

October 2022 Blog

There’s a celebration about to happen.

And I need your advice… on how to be a grand mother. 

The beginning of the next generation…

Expanding who we’re caretakers of

Using the  history of our elders

Putting our spin on the narrative…

Wholeheartedly

With grace

Humbled 

And filled with gratitude.  

What is your grandmother story? 

Did you have one who told you stories, or soothed you through crises? 

Do you remember going to your grandmother’s home? 

What are the memories that are awakened? 

Both of my grandmothers died before I was born. I sought out grandmother role models. 

Several of the women on my street filled the bill. 

I remember Mrs. Schill with her cookie jar always filled with chocolate chip cookies that was next to a jar of Jergen’s Cherry Almond lotion. The smells are intermingled in my mind. 

Mrs. Davis’...