Be You

07/09/2025

A Quiet Joy

Some days are simply for resting,
no plans, no obligations,
no ticking clocks.

Breathe.
Let the gentle silence
enfold you
in its tranquil embrace.

Move slowly.
Linger in small comforts.
Allow the world
to unfold around you.

These days are for stillness,
for quiet joy,
for simply being.

~ 'A Quiet Joy' by Spirit of a Hippie

06/09/2025

A Gentle Pause

A gentle pause is like a breath of fresh air,
the stillness between moments,
the soft exhale after life’s rush.

In it, the mind settles,
the heart opens,
the body remembers its rhythm.

Each day, we move through tasks and thoughts,
carrying expectation, memory, and desire.
In a pause, all softens.
Time slows.
We notice the light,
the air in our lungs,
the steady beat of our heart.

A pause is a space full of possibility,
where clarity arises,
gratitude whispers,
and compassion grows.

When the world feels relentless,
allow a gentle pause.
Close your eyes.
Breathe.
Let peace wash over you
like a breath of fresh air.

~ Art by Lori Portka

01/09/2025

September Evenings

September drifts in gently,
bringing quiet evenings,
inviting conversations that linger,
spilling into twilight like quiet streams.

In these simple, unhurried hours,
words feel heavier with meaning,
and laughter is gentle, almost sacred.

There is a sweetness in the ordinary,
a shared cup of tea,
a knowing smile,
the way the light fades slowly,
golden against the edges of the world.

These are the September evenings that stay,
echoing in the quiet corners of the mind,
tender and fleeting,
like the last leaf clinging to a branch
before the wind carries it away.

~ 'September Evenings' by Spirit of a Hippie

✍️ Mary Anne Byrne

~ Art by Mia Charro

31/08/2025

I first noticed Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World sitting quietly on a shelf, its title pulling at something familiar in me. It felt less like a psychology book and more like an invitation: what if being sensitive wasn’t the problem, but the very thing that could shape a meaningful life? As I read, that invitation unfolded into reassurance and practical wisdom.

What I loved most about Sand’s approach is how gently she affirms the highly sensitive temperament while also offering practical tools to thrive in a world that can feel abrasive. Rather than presenting sensitivity as a weakness to be fixed, she reframes it as a strength that needs understanding, care, and boundaries.

The tone of the book is both validating and empowering. It’s written almost like a guide for self-acceptance, reminding sensitive people that they don’t need to harden themselves to survive,they need to learn how to honor their sensitivity while navigating an often-insensitive culture.

I found myself exhaling with relief in several chapters, realizing that things I once considered personal failings, like needing more downtime, struggling in chaotic environments, or feeling deeply moved by art and relationships, were actually signs of sensitivity, not inadequacy.

Lessons from Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World:

1. Sensitivity is not weakness—it’s depth.
Highly sensitive people experience the world with more intensity: emotions, details, and subtleties are all amplified. This doesn’t make them fragile; it makes them perceptive. Recognizing sensitivity as a strength changes the narrative from shame to appreciation.

2. Overstimulation requires recovery time.
The sensitive nervous system processes more information than average. This means that busy social environments, constant noise, or even intense workdays can be draining. Recovery, through solitude, rest, or calming rituals is not laziness but a necessity.

3. Boundaries are vital for protecting energy.
Without clear boundaries, highly sensitive people often absorb the moods and demands of others. Sand emphasizes the importance of saying “no,” limiting exposure to toxic dynamics, and giving oneself permission to step back when needed.

4. Empathy is a gift, but it needs balance.
Highly sensitive people often carry others’ emotions as if they were their own. While this makes them compassionate, it can also lead to burnout. Healthy empathy involves caring for others without neglecting one’s own needs.

5. Meaningful connections nourish more than surface interactions.
HSPs often dislike small talk and superficiality, preferring deep, authentic relationships. Instead of forcing themselves to adapt to shallow social norms, they thrive when they seek out genuine, soul-nourishing connections.

6. Self-acceptance is the key to happiness.
Much of the suffering of highly sensitive people comes not from their sensitivity itself, but from trying to fit into a culture that undervalues it. When sensitivity is embraced instead of hidden, it becomes a pathway to joy, creativity, and fulfillment.

7. Sensitivity can guide a meaningful life.
Far from being an obstacle, sensitivity can be a compass. It allows people to notice beauty, feel deeply connected to others, and live with heightened awareness. When guided well, it can shape a life that is rich with meaning and authenticity.

Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World is both a mirror and a manual, it reflects the reality of living as a highly sensitive person while offering strategies to thrive without compromising one’s nature. Ilse Sand doesn’t promise a life free of struggle, but she offers a hopeful reminder: sensitivity is not something to overcome, it’s something to cherish and manage wisely.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/4oOiF1j

You can also get the Audio book for FREE using the same link. Use the link to register for the Audio book on Audible and start enjoying it.

28/08/2025

Some books don’t just give you information, they give you permission. Sandra Ingerman’s How to Heal Toxic Thoughts is one of those rare guides that does both. It’s short, direct, and deceptively simple, yet it carries the weight of wisdom rooted in both spiritual tradition and psychological insight.

Ingerman doesn’t shame us for having toxic thoughts, anger, envy, judgment, or negativity. Instead, she acknowledges them as part of being human while teaching us how to transform their energy rather than suppress or ignore them. Reading this book feels like being gently reminded that our inner world isn’t fixed, and that with practice, we can become better stewards of the energy we put into the world.

The book is practical. Ingerman offers small but powerful rituals, visualizations, breathwork, and intention-setting that help shift inner toxicity into something lighter. What struck me most is her insistence that healing isn’t just for us; the way we think and feel reverberates outward, touching our families, communities, and even the planet. Healing toxic thoughts is therefore not self-indulgent, it’s an act of service.

I found myself pausing often while reading, sometimes setting the book down to try a visualization or reflect on how I unconsciously feed negativity. It reminded me that our thoughts are not just private; they shape the atmosphere we live in.

Lessons from How to Heal Toxic Thoughts:

1. Awareness is the first medicine
You cannot transform what you do not see. By simply noticing when your thoughts turn judgmental, resentful, or hostile, you begin loosening their grip.

2. Toxic thoughts carry energy and energy can be shifted
Negative thinking isn’t just “in your head.” It affects your body, mood, and relationships. But with intention, you can redirect that energy into compassion, neutrality, or constructive action.

3. Simple rituals can interrupt destructive cycles
Breathing deeply, visualizing light, or repeating a grounding affirmation can dissolve negativity before it hardens into words or actions.

4. Healing thoughts heals relationships
When you consciously transform toxic thoughts, you stop feeding conflict and start creating an atmosphere of peace. This shift often changes how others respond to you as well.

5. Inner work is world work
Ingerman insists that our mental energy doesn’t end with us, it ripples outward. Choosing to heal toxic thoughts contributes to collective healing and a more harmonious world.

How to Heal Toxic Thoughts is not a long book, but it is a potent one. Its strength lies in its simplicity, reminding us that small, conscious shifts in our thinking can radically change how we experience life. It’s the kind of book you keep within reach, not to read once, but to revisit whenever you need to remember that your inner landscape is within your power to transform.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/45EI5pk

You can also get the Audio book for FREE using the same link. Use the link to register for the Audio book on Audible and start enjoying it.

23/08/2025

Nobody Wants Your Sh*t: The Official Guide to What to Do with Your Lifetime of Stuff by Messie Condo (a pseudonym for a professional organizer and estate liquidator) is a no-holds-barred, humorous, and highly practical guide to decluttering, downsizing, and preparing your estate, particularly for older adults or those facing the daunting task of clearing out a lifetime of possessions. The book's provocative title encapsulates its core, often uncomfortable, truth: your children, grandchildren, or other heirs likely do not want most of your accumulated belongings. Condo cuts through emotional sentimentality with direct advice, explaining why future generations often prefer experiences over heirlooms, and how sentimental value resides in memories, not objects. She provides actionable steps for sorting, donating, selling, and discarding items, emphasizing the importance of doing this work yourself now rather than burdening your loved ones later. It's a frank, liberating, and empowering manual for anyone ready to take control of their clutter and simplify their life for the benefit of themselves and their families.

10 Detailed Key Lessons and Insights from the Book

1. Your "Stuff" is a Burden, Not a Legacy, to Your Heirs: The fundamental, often jarring, truth presented is that your accumulated possessions—especially furniture, collections, and decorative items—are usually not wanted by your adult children or heirs. They have their own lives, styles, and limited space, making your "treasures" a chore for them to deal with. This harsh reality is the book's core premise and motivator.

2. Memories Live in Your Heart, Not in Objects: Condo repeatedly emphasizes that sentimental value is emotional and resides in your mind, not in the physical object itself. You can discard an item and still retain the precious memory associated with it. This distinction is crucial for overcoming the emotional hurdles of decluttering.

3. Procrastination Creates a Huge Burden for Loved Ones: The book strongly advocates for proactive decluttering while you are alive and capable. Leaving a lifetime of possessions for your grieving children to sort through is a massive, stressful, and often costly burden. Doing the work yourself is a final act of love and consideration.

4. Guilt is a Major Obstacle, and It Must Be Overcome: Many people hold onto things out of guilt (e.g., "Aunt Martha gave me this," "I spent good money on it," "This belonged to my mother"). Condo provides strategies to address and release this guilt, reminding you that your worth, and your relationships, are not defined by the objects you keep.

5. Think Like Your Heirs (and Be Realistic): Put yourself in your children's shoes. Do they have room for this? Does it fit their style? Is it truly valuable or useful to them? Being realistic about what others might want helps you make objective decisions and reduces emotional attachment.

6. The "One-Touch" Rule and Small, Consistent Steps: Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume, the book encourages a manageable, consistent approach. The "one-touch" rule (make a decision about an item the first time you touch it) and working in small, defined areas helps build momentum and prevent paralysis.

7. Digitalize Memories Where Possible: For photos, letters, and other paper-based sentimental items, digitization is a key strategy. Scan documents, take pictures of sentimental items you can't keep, and create digital archives. This preserves the memory without the physical clutter.

8. Understand the Realities of Selling and Donating: The book offers practical advice on the current markets for selling items (most things have little resale value) and the logistics of donating. It sets realistic expectations about profitability and the effort involved in rehoming items.

9. Your Stuff Does Not Define You: Condo pushes back against the idea that your possessions are an extension of your identity or worth. Releasing clutter can be a liberating act that allows you to redefine yourself based on experiences, relationships, and values, rather than on what you own.

10. The Freedom of an Unburdened Life: Ultimately, the process of decluttering isn't just about reducing stuff; it's about creating space for your own peace, clarity, and enjoyment in the present moment. It's about living a less encumbered life, freeing up energy and time for what truly matters to you.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/3HCFKTQ

You can ENJOY the AUDIOBOOK for FREE (When you register for Audible Membership Trial) using the same link above.

22/08/2025

Say Yes to Life

There are so many reasons
to fall in love with life,
the early morning hush as the day softly stirs,
the way your morning coffee warms your hands,
the quiet moments of joy that slip in unnoticed.

Even in shadows,
something glimmers,
a kindness remembered,
a lesson carried,
the steady rhythm of hope
beating within.

Focus on the good things;
let them grow brighter.
Fall in love with the small miracles,
the fleeting sparks,
and life will keep offering reasons
for you to say yes,
over and over again.

~ 'Say Yes to Life' by Spirit of a Hippie

✍️ Mary Anne Byrne

~ Art Unknown via Pinterest

21/08/2025

19/08/2025

Always listen to your body x

18/08/2025

I stumbled upon "Hello Higher Self" by Bunny Michael during a late-night scroll through an audiobook app, drawn in by the promise of self-discovery. Michael’s warm, soothing voice made every word feel like a comforting embrace, instantly capturing my curiosity. Each lesson resonated deeply, leaving me with profound insights.

7 lessons from the book:

1. Accept Your Authenticity. Michael encourages us to shed societal expectations, reminding us that authenticity attracts genuine connections.

2. Trust Your Intuition. The importance of trusting my instincts became clear; they guide us to our true path.

3. Self-Love as Foundation. I learned that loving myself unconditionally is essential for personal growth and relationships.

4. Release Limiting Beliefs. Michael’s insights on identifying and replacing negative beliefs opened my eyes to new possibilities.

5. Manifestation is a Practice. The book illuminated how my thoughts shape my reality; practicing gratitude amplifies this power.

6. Surround Yourself with Positivity. The reminder to cultivate a positive environment inspired me to evaluate my relationships.

7. Connect with Your Higher Self. Michael’s methods for connecting with my inner wisdom felt reassuring, providing a roadmap to deeper understanding.

17/08/2025

Sometimes, it can feel like the world is so big that nothing we do can even scratch the surface of solving problems and bringing our light to the world. But really, that’s the wrong way to look at it.

Instead, think of your day-to-day life. Think about your loved ones, your community, and the people around you. Your actions, words, gestures, and acts of kindness go a long way when it’s to do with the people around you. On days it feels like you’re not making a difference, read through these reminders of why everything you do matters. It really is all a matter of perspective.