Shelly Sowell, M.Ed., LPCC

05/11/2026

For Mother’s Day we did a YES day. Whatever I wanted to get into my guys made it happen. They cleaned and fixed things around the house while I read a book and journaled. They walked in a botanical garden at a snails pace while I took pictures of every flower possible and spent at least 15 minutes staring out at a lookout. We sat outside at picnic tables eating tacos. At night we curled up and watched a show we’ve been binging (His Dark Materials on HBO…SO good!!!). It was the most relaxing, beautiful restorative day.

I’m so aware that this is my YES day in my 40s. It would’ve been different in earlier chapters of my life. Not too far off from this, but probably a lot more doing less being. Younger seasons of life, I felt an urgency to not miss out, to soak up the world, to have big experiences that broke me open and helped me to feel like I’m in the pulse of something vibrant and powerful.

I still love a good day walking on cliffs over the ocean and taking in an art exhibit. But I find in this season there’s more of an internal space that’s developed. There’s more spaciousness for being present and content in my life, taking profound joy in the people I love.

What would your YES day be?
How has it changed through the different seasons of your life? And where is it the same? Where can you find a thread that has existed the entire time? That thread is frequently a medicine we can return back to.

05/07/2026

I mentioned little kids, but this also applies to teenagers (and adults). There’s still space to join in Louisville for the workshop in the morning. Thanks to the generosity of the Earth and Spirit Center, you can bring someone along for free. Which makes sense because raising a child is a group effort!! message me if you want the direct link for registering.

04/27/2026

04/24/2026

Let us vow to bear witness to the wholeness of life, realizing the completeness of each and every thing.
Embracing our differences, I shall know myself as you, and you as myself.
May we serve each other for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to open ourselves to the abundance of life.
Freely giving and receiving, I shall care for you, for the trees and stars, as treasures of my very own.
May we be grateful for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to forgive all hurt, caused by ourselves and others, and to never condone hurtful ways.
Being responsible for my actions, I shall free myself and you.
Will you free me, too?
May we be kind for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to remember that all that appears will disappear.
In the midst of uncertainty, I shall sow love.
Here! Now! I call to you:
Let us together live
The Great Peace that we are.
May we give no fear for all our days,
here, there, and everywhere.

“Blessing for the Journey” Wendy Egyoku Nakao

I used a quote from this incredible poem in my latest blog post, The Energy of Emergence. This photo is from my neighborhood this week..see Venus?

04/23/2026

I work throughout the lifespan. To keep things real, I make sure I always have a class with teenagers going. They are so brave and brilliant and teach me so much about what it means to be human. It’s a real gift to get to work with them. If you want more and working with teens, follow me here or sign up for my newsletter. I’m working on a resource that will probably launch sometime in summer. Meanwhile, I have a class coming up at Earth and Spirit Center. That’s for helping kids and teens.

04/12/2026

Latest post is on the blog!! Go to links and I’d love for you to follow me here if you would like to build a mindful life with me.

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

Me taking my 5 millionth picture of spring emerging throughout my neighborhood. I can’t help it. Every year I am amazed at the emergence of life. Here in Louisville it comes back as flowers before it transitions into leaves. I know the world is heavy right now. And I know we’re in that for a long haul. I encourage you to still get out and find the flowers. Find the signs of emerging life. Reflect on your own life and what is emerging in it. What beauty can you bring to the world?