Morning Ritual: Calm over Chaos
What does the start of your day look like?
What are you feeding your heart, mind, and soul first thing in the morning?
I’ve realized that I have to be the architect of my own peace. My ritual—mindful motivations on Insight Timer and a few languages on Duolingo—creates a “calm before the storm.” It sets the tone for what I want the day to be and I set my intention for the day. And I want to get back to my walks again.
Recently, I had breakfast at a hotel and caught the news captions. The instant spike of anxiety reminded me why I don’t watch TV - everything that is going wrong in the world. I don’t need to feed my anxiety; I need to practice my rhythm. During my workshop travels, adding an early morning swim has become my newest way to refresh and get ready for the day.
Living in “The Element”
I’ve been reading the Element, which explores where natural talent meets personal passion. It’s a “power pack” of energy. When you are in your element:
Exhaustion turns into fuel: Activities you love give you energy even when you’re tired.
Unique Intelligence: It’s not about how intelligent you are, but how you are intelligent.
Creative Connections: You begin to see the world from fresh perspectives.
I felt this deeply during a recent product marketing workshop. Seeing a global team ignite creativity sparks from paper clips to ‘day in a life’ group activities—showed the joy of being “in the zone.”
At the 2day in-person workshop, I was in my element - pouring all of my love and joy of product marketing. I could feel the energy in the room - the creative flow of the diverse team … each of us came alive in the workshop.
Reading the book, is showing me the world of creativity, passion and care.
Element to describe the place where the things we love to do and the things we are good at come together.
Create environments—in our schools, in our workplaces, and in our public offices—where every person is inspired to grow creatively.
It’s about having lives with purpose and meaning in and beyond whatever work we do.
The very thing that would wear me out is fueling them up.
Activities we love fill us with energy even when we are physically exhausted.
Being in the zone plugs you into a kind of power pack.
The Element is the meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion.
When we connect with our own energy, we’re more open to the energy of other people.
The more alive we feel, the more we can contribute to the lives of others.
Finding your tribe can have transformative effects on your sense of identity and purpose.
Instead of asking: How intelligent are you?
ask: How Are You Intelligent?
Every person’s intelligence is as unique as a fingerprint.
Being creative is about making fresh connections so that we see things in new ways and from different perspectives.
Infinite game
Life often feels like a Finite Game—fixed rules, winners, and losers. But I’m choosing to play the Infinite Game. This isn’t about winning; it’s about the joy of the process and keeping the game going.
Self-Trust: I recently received a “1 rating” on a mindfulness session I led. It hurt, but I’m choosing to trust myself anyway. It made me wonder why but not as much to get me to stop holding space for my mindful folks.
Redirection: As a volunteer said at our Bayview community cleanup, “Rejection is redirection.”
When you choose to trust yourself, you move forward.
Instead of doubting myself, I will let it be. One step at a time.
Today, I will back myself instead of doubting every move. I trust myself.
Notice when self doubt takes the lead. Listen to the voices in your head, the stories of fear and trust yourself to do what you need.
Just about everything we do in life is either a finite game, one in which we play by the rules in order to win or an infinite game, one in which we play with the rules for the joy of getting to keep playing.
Some days, we’re playing a “finite game“. It has fixed rules, there are winners and losers, and the goal is to be on the top.
Then there’s the “infinite game“. And it’s not about winning at all. It’s about the sheer joy of just keeping the game going. It’s about the process, the learning, the endless possibilities that open up when we’re not so fixed on a final victory.
Community and Transformation
Being back in the Bayview neighborhood for the cleanup was heartwarming. Sharing sweets from India and seeing neighbors connect reminded me of the power of belonging. Neighbors coming together to keep the city clean. A pure joy in seeing each other and wishing Happy New Year. I’m grateful for this kindhearted community who care and show up every weekend.
As we move into 2026—the year of the Fire Horse—the theme is transformation. Whether it’s finding free succulent cuttings or watching the sunrise from my home, I feel safe and grateful. From the snowy streets of Columbus to the warmth of my own house, I’m choosing to back myself instead of doubting my moves.
This weekend’s message from the universe :)
And another message, a volunteer found in their cleanup this weekend.
And the succulents found a few more friends from the Bayview neighborhood.. got to love it when a neighbor has left free succulents with flowers outside their home.
I feel safe in my home - it’s a beautiful feeling to wake up to the sunrise!
I know the holidays are over - but I'm not done with the holiday cheer, and I just put my decorations - I wasn't home during the holidays. Feels good to add the holiday decor I got with my sis
Loved this street post - polaris / gemini in Columbus, Ohio - cruising through the snow.
Enjoyed walking the Franklin conservatory, Columbus, Ohio and seeing Dale Chihuly artwork - finding inspiration in gardens everywhere.
Takeaways
Protect Your Morning: Be the architect of your own calm before the world rushes in.
Find Your Element: Energy comes from doing what you love; it’s a “power pack” for the soul.
Play the Infinite Game: Focus on the joy of the process, not just the “win.”
Trust the Redirection: Rejection is just a shift toward something better.
I’m curious—how are you being the architect of your own peace today?
Whether it’s a morning walk, a creative hobby, or breathing exercise, I’d love to hear what puts you in “your element.”