Glow Living

Category: Family

  • Are You a Sponge or a Bubble?

    Are You a Sponge or a Bubble?

    How to Protect Your Energy From Others

    Throughout the day, we’re constantly interacting with other people’s energy—whether we realize it or not. For sensitive people and empaths, this can lead to emotional overload. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to protect your energy from others.

    When you interact with someone who’s anxious, angry, or just in a bad mood, you have a choice:

    • Absorb their energy like a sponge

    • Or let it bounce off your energetic bubble

    If you’re too open to taking on other people’s energy, it can affect your mood, your outlook, and even your health. You might start to feel serious, heavy, overwhelmed, frustrated, or even depressed—without knowing why.

    ️ Protect Your Energy Before It Affects You

    The best form of energy protection is prevention—don’t let the energy in to begin with. But this is easier said than done, especially for empaths.

    Here are two visual tools you can use:

    1. The Bubble Visualization – Picture a glowing energy bubble around your body. Imagine any negativity bouncing off the bubble without penetrating it.

    2. The Energy Basket – Visualize yourself holding a basket. As someone sends their energy your way, let it fall into the basket instead of your body. When the interaction is over, imagine dumping it out and walking away clear.

    What if You Already Absorbed Their Energy?

    If you already feel affected, it’s time to “wring out the sponge” and clear the energy from your system.

    Here are 10 ways to release toxic energy and reset your inner state:

    1. Journal it out – Reflect on how the experience affected you and what it may have triggered internally.

    2. Burn + release – Write out your ideal outcome as if it already happened. Then burn it as a ritual of release.

    3. Move your body – Exercise to release stress and support your physical system with whole, nourishing foods.

    4. Spend time in nature – Let the beauty of the natural world remind you that life is bigger than the moment you’re processing.

    5. Practice self-care – Refuel your positive energy by giving yourself what you need most.

    6. Ask for help – Whether it’s a therapist, coach, or trusted friend, don’t go it alone.

    7. Spiritual practice – Increase prayer, meditation, breathwork, or whatever grounds your soul.

    8. Create joy – Watch comedies, listen to upbeat music, sing, laugh, dance—inject joy back into your energy field.

    9. Be with your people – Connect with friends or family who uplift and brighten your life.

    10. Cry it out – Let the emotions move through you. Feel + deal = heal. Give it space and a time limit.

    ✨ Your Energy Matters

    Protecting your energy is an act of self-love. The more you protect your own energy, the more positive influence you can have on others. Let yourself be a bubble, not a sponge.

    What are your favorite ways to protect your energy or release negativity?
    Comment below to share your wisdom with the Glow Living community.

    ➕ Want More?

    Check out these related Glow Living articles:

    Special thanks to Kristen Dessange of Sacred Life Circle for her powerful teachings on energy boundaries.

    Pictured: Jessica Alba in Fantastic Four

  • You’re More Powerful Than You Think

    You’re More Powerful Than You Think

    How Your Energy Affects Others: Understanding Energy Arrows

    We don’t always recognize how our energy affects others, but our moods and emotional states carry power. Whether we’re joyful, anxious, angry, or calm, we emit what I call energy arrows—invisible emotional signals that influence the people around us. Becoming aware of them is the first step toward protecting others from our energy and protecting ourselves from theirs.

    What Are Energy Arrows?

    Imagine being in a good mood and encountering a friend who is extremely angry. As they rant and rave, what happens in your body? Even if their anger isn’t directed at you, you may feel tense, uncomfortable, or emotionally drained. That’s their energy arrows penetrating your emotional space.

    I believe our energy arrows are shaped by our emotions and that they affect others—positively or negatively—whether we’re conscious of it or not. These arrows can also be understood as vibrations, frequencies, or magnetic fields. We emit them all day long.

    How Your Energy Affects Others—Even Without Words

    Think back to a time when you felt genuinely happy. Maybe you smiled at strangers, offered to help someone, or felt more socially open. Your happiness wasn’t just an internal experience—it was shared. Your smile and energy were sending out positive energy arrows that others could feel.

    Have you noticed people smiling back? Trying to talk to you? Energy is magnetic. When you’re aligned, you attract. When you’re off, you may unconsciously repel.

    This is the real power of emotional energy: it determines what you draw in and what you push away.

    ️ How to Protect Yourself From Negative Energy Arrows

    When you don’t have healthy boundaries, other people’s arrows can affect your emotions quickly. You might start the day feeling grounded, only to be thrown off by someone else’s negativity.

    While it’s natural—especially for empaths—to care deeply, you don’t have to carry what isn’t yours.

    ✅ Visualizations to Protect Your Energy:

    • The Bubble: Visualize a protective forcefield around your body. Imagine negative energy bouncing off instead of entering your space.

    • The Basket: See yourself holding a basket where others’ energy lands. You can then visualize dumping it out after the interaction.

    ️ Communication Techniques to Deflect Emotional Arrows

    Sometimes people just need to feel seen and heard. Practicing compassionate communication can help defuse the emotional arrows being fired at you:

    • Mirror and validate:
      “What I’m hearing you say is… Did I get that right?”
      “From your perspective, I can see why you feel that way.”

    • Offer empathy:
      “I understand—and I’ve experienced something similar.”

    Even if you don’t agree, validating their feelings can protect your own energy by creating emotional distance without emotional disconnection.

    Are You Using Your Energy Arrows to Attract or Repel?

    We all emit energy, and we all affect the emotional landscape of those around us. The more conscious we become of how our energy affects others, the more we can use it to create stronger relationships, attract aligned people, and stay rooted in our truth.

    Start noticing the energy arrows you send and receive. Ask yourself:

    • Am I helping others feel safe, seen, and inspired?

    • Am I allowing others to affect me in ways I don’t want?

    • What boundaries or visualizations help me stay centered?

    You have the power to choose the arrows you send—and the ones you allow in.

    ➕ Want More on Protecting Your Energy?

    If you’ve taken on too much of other people’s energy and it’s weighing you down, read this related article:
    Are You a Bubble or a Sponge?

    Or check out the Root-to-Rise book and online course to learn how to create emotional balance in all areas of your life.

    Special Thanks

    With gratitude to Kristen Dessange of Sacred Life Circle for inspiring many of the energy practices shared here.

  • Glow Living Gratitude Journal – Free Download

    Glow Living Gratitude Journal – Free Download

    A Free 36-Page Guided Journal to Spark Joy, Peace, and Daily Appreciation

    The Glow Living Gratitude Journal is your free, 36-page guided PDF designed to help you create a daily gratitude practice that sparks joy, relieves stress, and attracts more positive energy into your life. From the very first page, you’ll notice that each section is inspired by one of six powerful elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Metal, and Space. Because of these themes, your reflections will stay fresh, inspiring, and engaging over time.

    Why Gratitude Matters

    Gratitude is far more than a feel-good habit. It is a proven method to boost happiness, reduce anxiety, and improve relationships. For example, when you shift your attention from what is lacking to what is already present, you can train your mind to recognize more moments of joy. Moreover, consistent practice helps release negative emotions such as anger and resentment, which in turn creates more space for peace, contentment, and appreciation.

    What’s Inside the Glow Living Gratitude Journal

    This is not just a blank notebook. Inside, you will find:

    • 36 editable, printable pages for daily or weekly use

    • Six elemental themes to guide your reflections in unique ways

    • Inspiring quotes to set the tone for each entry

    • Thought-provoking prompts that spark deeper insights

    • Ample space to capture your ideas, thoughts, and memories

    Because each section combines quotes, prompts, and open space, you are more likely to keep your journaling practice consistent and rewarding.

    How to Use Your Journal for the Best Results

    Once you download the PDF, you can print it or use it digitally. First, choose a page that resonates with your mood that day. Then, spend a few minutes responding to the prompt, reflecting on the quote, and writing down your thoughts. Over time, these short sessions will build into a powerful collection of insights and memories. As a result, you will begin to notice a growing sense of peace, gratitude, and positivity in your daily life.

    Get Your Free Glow Living Gratitude Journal

    Fill out the form below to instantly access your free Glow Living Gratitude Journal. After you begin using it, you will see how even a few minutes of daily gratitude can transform your outlook on life.

    [kleo_button title=”DOWNLOAD JOURNAL” href=”https://glowmarketing.aweb.page/p/bc454de1-91fa-451c-87d9-1937d1555b80” style=”default” size=”60″ ]

    Want to go deeper into emotional wellness? Explore the Root-to-Rise books that help you align every area of your life.

  • Recommitting to What’s Meaningful

    Recommitting to What’s Meaningful

    January brought huge change in our community. One of our member’s lost his wife; another member landed a huge music endorsement deal; my biggest marketing client went from a secure retainer to occasional projects; and many more stories of radical change are being relayed every day. Some changes are good and some are hard to see the gifts they bring in the moment.

    What I am taking away is how important (now more than ever) that we recommit to what is meaningful to us. We can’t take anything for granted. In one day, our whole entire life can change, and bring uncertainty which can lead to fear or excitement.

    Two of our human needs are certainty and uncertainty. Things that cause uncertainty are often feared, however we actually need it to add excitement, spice and growth to our life. If you are a someone that craves a lot of certainty and security, you may not welcome change despite its blessings. I’ve found that the more uncertainty we can handle, the happier we are. Stability is comfortable but it can also cause rigidity and lack of growth. Its important to balance certainty and uncertainty with uncertainty and variety.

    When in uncertain times, which we are most certainly in, I invite you too look closely at your need for certainty and any fears that come up without it. Then consider all of the things you actually do have in your life that are certain and stable. Root down by putting your focus, attention and energy into those things.

    For example, I once coached a man through a divorce and he was at a point where he was only able to focus on how much things were changing, loss and fear. I was able to show him areas of certainty such as his stable job and income, child that still wanted his love, friends and family that were there for him, and other things he could count on. Once he brought his focus back to these areas, he felt infinitely more secure and was able to take the necessary actions to dissolve a bad relationship in an amicable way. He is now thriving and recently expressed his gratitude because he just got a promotion and is happy with his new path.

    Currently, I have no idea where my next dollar is coming from. And, I know it will come. I believe in abundance and have already seen new opportunities arise in a matter of days. I’m seeing this transitionary time as an opportunity to evaluate what I want and create a renewed commitment to attracting the right things. I’ve never once lost interest in Glow Living, but I have feared that it will not be able to sustain me financially. I don’t know if I will ever monetize my efforts, but when I put my focus on it, I feel like I’m being true to myself. I have also experienced enough confirmations to know I’m on the right path and to stay the course. So here I am. Here we are.

    Let’s do this…uncertainty, excitement, fear and all!!

  • Fathers, what will be your legacy?

    Fathers, what will be your legacy?

    Fathers, what will be your legacy?
    By Chandra Lynn

    Whether you are a father, have a father or admire someone who is a father, you will probably agree that it is a challenging role. A father is someone who provides to the best of their abilities, and often makes personal sacrifices for the support of others.

    dadsdayfinal2Sometimes the fathers are also mothers and mothers have to take on the role of fathers, depending on what their kids need at the time. Its an interplay between masculine and feminine energies. Sometimes we are masculine father and are the giver, provider, and boundary setter. Other times we are the feminine mother and take on the role of receiver, nurturer and soft place to land.

    We honor everyone who fathers and wields both masculine and feminine energy to give their children the complete care that they deserve.

    There are traditional values associated with what a father provides, and there are unique things that each individual wants to contribute to their offspring. I invite you to think about what you want to be known for by those you parent. When they describe you to someone else, what do you want them to have received from you? When you are gone, what will they remember? What will be your legacy?

    Use the comments below to share your intentions to inspire others.

    Happy Father’s Day!!

  • Make It Happen!

    Make It Happen!

    ACTION! – FORWARD MOMENTUM – NEW BEGINNINGS

    Happy Spring! Can you see the stirrings of new growth in nature? The seeds germinated during the Winter fallow period and are now cracking open with seedlings bursting forth. This is the energy of new beginnings and the perfect time to take the first steps towards your goals.

    In January, we planted the seeds of inspiration, and in February we imagined manifesting them as though they were part of our lives. Now, March is the time to take action and leverage this time of year to benefit from being in rhythm with nature.

    Through this month on Glow’s social channels, we are posting reminders to #MakeItHappen.

    March is a time of the archetype of the Warrior/Warrioress. This means that it’s the perfect time of year to take action and progress towards your goals.

    I invite you to break down the next steps towards your most meaningful goals, and start checking off the boxes. If you feel any apprehension, observe it and stay in a state of wonder about why it came up. Sometimes, fears and doubts arise as we embark on new things. Just acknowledge them and focus on all of the reasons why you want the end result of the goals you’ve set out.

    Next month will be the month of the Lover archetype and it will be time to continue to manifest your desires,  and take time for self-care and embodied pleasures to reward yourself for going for your goals.

    I invite you to do these steps:

    1) Decide on the first goal you’d like to commit to.

    2) Write a list of steps necessary to accomplish it. Chunk it up so that its doable and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete it.

    2) Journal around any fears and doubts that come up. Acknowledge them and write down your motivations to push past them. Review them as resistance arises.

    3) Take the first step or two, and give yourself some kind of reward that will keep you motivated.

    Make it happen & love life!

  • Imagine what you want to attract into your life

    Imagine what you want to attract into your life

    IMAGINATION – DREAMS – INTUITION

    In January, I posted 31 pictures about what inspires me and asked what inspires you. I believe your inspirations illuminate your path. If we go towards our inspirations, our positive energy increases and we can begin to attract more inspiration.

    This month, we take the next step and start imagining the things we want as if they are already part of our lives. This brings them closer to us and helps us manifest them.

    When I get busy, I don’t spend time encouraging my imagination. I’m more focused on checking off boxes on my To Do list. Taking time to imagine what it would look and feel like to have what I seek is what helps me decide on what I want and what goals to prioritize.

    I set clear goals and prioritize them. After that, my To Do lists get more clear about what to focus on. In some cases, I have been able to remove things after reprioritizing and realizing they are not important to me anymore.

    February is a time of the archetype of the Mystic. This means that it’s the perfect time of year to begin to imagine what you want, and bring your goals into focus.

    I invite you to spend time thinking about how they would impact your life. If they are worthy of setting intentions and goals around. I encourage you to journal or talk to a friend about what would change in your life. Focus on how it would feel, what problems would be solved, and what you are willing to do to attain them.

    Next month will be the month of the Warriors archetype and it will be time to put all of this inspiration and imagination into action to start manifesting them.

     

     I invite you to do these 3 steps:

    1) Imagine what you want for yourself this year.

    2) Journal about it to make it as real as possible and talk to friends about it.

    3) Pick 2-3 that you’d like to set as goals for next month.

     

    Use your imagination & love life!

  • Chandra Lynn Goes Deep on Guru Please Podcast

    Chandra Lynn Goes Deep on Guru Please Podcast

    Emotional Mastery, Archetypes, and Getting Unstuck with Chandra Lynn on Guru Please Podcast

    Guru Please Podcast host, Jessica Sun, interviewed Chandra Lynn. She explains, “Going through a dark night of the soul? Getting unstuck doesn’t need to take years. Get to know yourself better by digging to the root of what’s causing a blockage in your life. This knowledge is your gift to yourself that will keep on giving.”

    Listen now by clicking on the image. You’ll be taken to the Guru Please site.

    They talk about:

    • Our human needs that often hold us back are the same things that can propel us forward
    • We need both certainty and variety
    • You can choose your higher purpose; it doesn’t need to be bestowed on you
    • Not everyone will resonate with you and it’s important to respect the differences
    • We are always getting to the next plateau of the mountain, not the top
    • When we prioritize the wrong things, we feel overwhelmed and like everything has to happen all at once
    • Let’s embrace our full multidimensional selves, and not deny or disown pieces of ourselves

    What you’ll learn:

    • Why Chandra became a coach while having a successful career in marketing
    • About our root areas that determine the shape of our lives
    • On our basic human needs that must be fulfilled one way or another
    • How to go through the dark night of the soul
    • How Chandra rebranded herself to align with what she believes
    • A lesson from celebrities on wanting to be liked
    • The three pillars of our emotions

    About Guru Please

    Guru Please is an interview-based show that features guests from 6 continents. The host, Jessica Sun, talks with her guest about topics ranging from overcoming adversity and designing a fulfilling life, to actionable personal development techniques and what it means to be authentically human.

    About Jessica Sun

    Jessica Sun has a background in real estate sales, visual design, fine art, and acting and modeling. She created her podcast for those who are seeking something different.

  • The 51% Rule

    The 51% Rule

    The 51% Rule – Boundaries are Your Friend

    By Chandra Lynn

    A friend reminded me today of my 51% rule. Have you ever felt like you are doing more to help your partner then they are to help themselves? Sometimes it just seems easier to take control and get things done on your own than ask your partner to do their part. And they may be completely happy with having you take care of business. But after all while, you may find that you lead in all ways in the relationship, and start feeling overwhelmed and tired of being the one to handle everything.

    To prevent this from happening, I recommend each partner agree to carry A MINIMUM OF 51% of the work load on their end. When someone is doing AT LEAST 51% of the work for their own life, things will stay more balanced. Helping somebody with 49% of their work is still a lot when it comes to managing someone else’s stuff. I could even argue that is too high of a percentage. However, if someone needs you to help them with an area of their life, and you are feeling happy to do it, consider making sure they understand that you will only take on a maximum of 49% of the tasks that need to be accomplished.

    I learned this the hard way. I saw a former partner struggling with his career, so I jumped into immediate action. Being a fledgling marketing consultant, I was actually excited to put my skills to work for him. Without him asking me, I built him all the marketing materials that he needed to present himself in a more professional way. At the end of it, he was grateful but didn’t really leverage it to the extent that I had hoped. I could see that the struggles in his career had more to do with his ambition then it had to do with his ability to present him self in a professional way. As a result, even with the new materials, he did not apply himself, and I felt like all the work I did to support him was for nothing. I distinctly remember going to a diner and telling him that I needed to see him doing at least 51% of the work to reach his goals for his life. And, I would be happy to do whatever I could to support him, but I needed to see him applying himself more than I was putting in to help him.

    Jumping in to help a partner is a noble thing, but I can also enable bad behavior in your partner. There is nothing wrong with being supportive, but you have to be careful with behaviors that lead them to where you think is best for them before they have even asked for help.

    The friend who reminded me of this was looking back at her life and realizing that she has always done the majority of the work in the relationship, and her partner was happy to have her do it. However, he started taking advantage of the fact that she provided so much with little appreciation or awareness of the effort involved.

    If you feel overwhelmed with all that you have to do for yourself, your partner, your kids and other people in your life, ask yourself whether you feel your partner is stepping up to their full potential and supporting you in the way that you need them to. If they’re not and you’re enabling them to kick back, please consider that your standards are not high enough for yourself in terms of expecting a partner to do their share. Ask specifically for what you need from them, and make sure you get their agreement before creating new expectations that they will deliver.

    Everyone needs to feel useful, needed, purposeful and that they bring value to a relationship. This post is to remind you that you can do this by supporting your partner and those around you, as long as you set healthy boundaries and set reasonable expectations with your partner to do a minimum of 51% of the work in their own life.

  • Updating Your Intimacy Ladder

    Updating Your Intimacy Ladder

    Where Are Your Friends on Your Intimacy Ladder?
    By Chandra Lynn

    Have you ever had a bestie that you talked to you almost every day and now you’re not as close to as you used to be? That disconnection can cause you pain and make you question the relationship and what you mean to them now (and vice versa). There are lots of reasons why our relationships with our friends change over time. Sometimes we come together when we’re single and have lots of time to invest in each other, and then one gets into a relationship that soaks up their available time. Sometimes it’s hard to invest while juggling a job, kids, romantic relationship and more, leaving less time for friends.

    This is all understandable, but the problem lies in not communicating the change of expectations in the relationship. We can take friends for granted, thinking that they’ll just be there when we have time. But actually, it can be hurtful to friends when we’re there one minute and disappear the next. Some friends are casual about it and it feels like no time has passed after not seeing each other for a long period of time. Other friends get really hurt by our lack of availability and can feel abandoned. You may have felt this way too and can relate.

    This happens a lot when two single people spend a lot of time together and one gets into a relationship and is no longer available. The single friend is still as available as (s)he always was though and needs to be reassured that your need for change doesn’t diminish what they mean to you.

    It’s totally natural for a relationship to go through changes, but it really helps when you lead a discussion about the change and seek to create a renewed agreement about the basis of the friendship and what each of you can offer, including time commitments. How possible is it to check in every day, week, month or year?

    There are a couple of things that you can do to prevent degradation in the relationship. The first thing is to communicate verbally or in writing what that person truly means to you and what they’ve given to your life. That provides them reassurance that they are valuable to you and you don’t want them to disappear from your life and you don’t plan to event abandon them in any way, shape, or form.

    The second thing that you can do is consider changing their status on your relationship ladder. For years, you could have thought of them as your number one friend and placed them on the very top of your relationship ladder. Then, all of a sudden, they are no longer available to you the way they were due to life circumstances, and you feel hurt. What can you do? You can consider changing their status on your ladder. Moving a friend down a couple of rungs on the ladder does not mean that you don’t care about them anymore. It means that you change the expectations for that friendship and adjust them to meet the current status based on what’s going on in life. When you feel hurt, it’s easy to think of just throwing a friend off the ladder entirely, but it’s really not necessary in most cases. Unless a friend has intentionally hurt you or intended you harm, all you really need to do is lower them a couple of rungs on the ladder while both of you are doing your own thing, and check-in with them from time to time to see if they want to update the blueprint for the relationship.

    Sometimes, you have to jockey more than one friend’s position on your ladder. There are occasions in life where you reach a point that older friendships are outdated and just not serving you to lift your highest potential. There is nothing wrong with this, and it should actually be embraced as a healthy part of evaluating the value of your relationships, and how much you’ve grown and evolved.

    One of my very best friends from high school has moved around on my ladder to the point where she’s probably touched every rung. There were times that we were inseparable and there were years that we never talked at all. I’m happy to say that we see each other on a regular basis now. What kept us connected all these years is consistent communication of a mutual desire to stay connected even when time goes by and we can’t see each other.

    I have another bestie that I’ve known since the sixth grade and she lives in another state. We’ve spent more time apart then together. We managed to stay connected and now consider ourselves to become full-fledge sisters. We flew across the country to see each other during crisis times and for major celebrations like graduation. We sent cards when snail mail became practically obsolete. We are even connected on a psychic level now.

    If a relationship with a friend isn’t working, consider changing their status on your relationship ladder instead of throwing them off entirely. You connected with them for some reason initially, and you may find them valuable in your friend circle once your expectations are adjusted. With that said, there are times when a relationship is not healthy and should be let go. Consider the most graceful exit you can under those circumstances and always take the high road.

    My friends have meant everything to me and I fostered those relationships over many many years. Although I don’t actively seek friends, I am open to new connections that resonate on a higher vibration and they are being attracted. I love my friends and will do everything to protect and preserve these precious connections, starting with communicating what I want out of the relationship and seeking agreements about what to expect from one another which informs where we are on each other’s ladder. I also invite them to let me know if my expectations need to change, and I make sure they know what’s in my heart.

    Who is on your ladder and is the current status working for you, or does it need a little adjusting?

  • Un-Grinch Yourself! How To Find Joy During the Holidays

    Un-Grinch Yourself! How To Find Joy During the Holidays

    CELEBRATION – JOY – POSITIVE ENERGY

    This year has been a doozy and it can feel inauthentic to celebrate it. While decorating our home super early (anyone else?), my son called me a Grinch! At first, I got defensive and then I realized that I was definitely giving off Grinch vibes!! I was feeling the weight of the world in a pandemic.

    “4:00, wallow in self-pity. 4:30, stare into the abyss. 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize; 6:30, dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing. I’m booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness.” — The Grinch

    Then it occurred to me that I had an important choice to make. I could stay weighted down or rise above it all to celebrate all that I have to be grateful for. Hmmmmm, let me think. ; ) Just kidding, if you know me, then you know my answer is always to rise!

    If you want to rise with me, here are some ideas for how to lighten up when it all feels so heavy…

    • Ask yourself how you want to show up for your loved ones considering they have been under stress too. Visualize yourself as that person. How do you look? How do you act? What are you doing?
    • Decide to embody that vision. Make a fresh start tomorrow morning and be that person you visualized. At the end of the day, evaluate how people reacted to you and how it made you feel.
    • If good, decide to continue it the next day and string the days together showing up in this positive way. Keep in mind that this does not mean you are disowning how you truly feel in any way. You’ll still need to work through negative feelings that come up about the state of things and how it’s affecting you.
    • After a week or so, note the benefits over time. Are you happier, feeling lighter, more connected, inspired, joyful…?
    • Ramp up your giving. It feels great to fulfill someone’s wish list, surprise a loved one with something special, and donate/volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you.
    • Practice self-care and focus on reducing stress despite all that is going on. You deserve to take breathers and do things that fill up your cup so that you can have positive energy to give out. Make sure to do at least one significant self-care practice each day. Ideas include exercising, prepping healthy meals, massage (self-massage through foam rollers, balls, electric massagers, etc.), hot baths, beauty care, etc.
    • Journal your negative thoughts. Use it as a trash can by dumping out all of the things that are bothering you. Then take out the trash by tearing up the pages or burning them. Focus on releasing it.
    • Once cleared of negative thoughts, journal about what you’re grateful for or new visions for the new year. This will summon positive vibes for you to carry into your life. To make this easy, I’m giving you a free gratitude journal to download. Click here.

    The holidays can add extra stress so you’ll have to find ways to enjoy them. It’s likely you are not able to do them the same way this year so let go of those expectations and make it fun to break traditions by embracing radical new ways of celebrating. Go with what your heart calls you to do and let go of anything that feels like an obligation. Blame the pandemic if you have to. Do it your way this year!

    What is your vision for a good holiday this year?

    Create it with your loved ones. You’re a leader and, most likely, they will follow and help you create it if they understand why it’s important to you. Ask them for input on how to make it special for them too because people support what they help create. Together, you may just find new ways of celebrating and new traditions to take into the future.

    For more, watch this video update:

    Make sure to subscribe to the Glow Living channel on YouTube!

  • How do you define “family”?

    How do you define “family”?

    Most people think of their family as related by blood or marriage. I don’t. I define my family as the people who really know me and are consistently there for me. Some of them share my blood and some of them don’t.

    Either way, we share a bond of love, acceptance and commitment to supporting each other through life. They know who they are because we openly express and affirm our relationship.

    I invite you to think about who has been there for you through up and down periods of your life. Consider whether they are like family to you, and whether they know how much they mean to you. If so, use this time to remind them. If not, tell them.

    Recently, I’ve suffered some losses that were unexpected and I never got to tell them how I felt. They are gone forever. I no longer think I have all the time in the world to let people know how I feel. The truth is that this could be the last holiday. We just don’t know.

    So, in case you don’t know, I am grateful for you. You are part of my tribe, my Glow family, and I appreciate you for showing up and shining your light in my life.

    Have a wonderful holiday, and enjoy the people that make up the family in your heart, by blood or by bond.