Awe & Delight (10.14.26)
How’s your week so far? What’s going well? What’s been challenging? Have you had any moments that have been just truly delightful?
I know for me, I’ve had seasons where some weeks blurred right into the next. These are probably the seasons that drew me towards yoga, towards coaching, towards journaling and intention setting…all the tools that support PRESENCE.
And presence is both the unlock and the gift for living with intention. It’s this incredible cycle of goodness that builds on itself. In the same way that because the work I do is primarily about holding very present, compassionate, intentional spaces for people - I both need to practice that in order to do my job well, AND I feel more present as a result of my work. Win, win….win!
In addition to my 1:1 coaching clients, this year I also have the true delight (delight! Ross Gay anyone?) of facilitating the most incredible group of 16 women each Friday in the Intentional Leadership Community as we all commit to living and leading with greater purpose, joy and ease. It was a group I wanted for myself, so as an entrepreneur does, I created it. :) and I’m obsessed!
In a recent session, we were playing with perspectives and the one I chose to work with was my Inner Appreciator. What would life be like if I viewed my week through the lens of my Inner Appreciator?
Spoiler Alert: it was magical.
The small moments that stood out to me were EVERYWHERE. Thank you for this delicious breakfast. Thank you for the trees I can see from my window. Thank for you for energetic and hilarious child I get to mother. Thank you for my partner is so supportive and loving. Thank you for home that keep us safe. Thank you for this friend because of this, and this friend because of this….thank you for this author for writing this book that I adored.
I noticed that when my Inner Appreciator was present, I experienced AWE, JOY, WONDER, and DELIGHT in this steady stream…which made me feel, you guessed it, more gratitude.
I carried this practice into our final camping trip of the year - 4 nights right by the beach just south of Santa Cruz - that we literally just returned from.
It was just….wow. We saw dolphins splashing in the waves (and the entire body of a dolphin arc the through the air!) We witnessed whales traveling on their way signaling their presence with one large and one small burst of water shot straight into the air. We delighted in each sunset and I did a sunrise walk on the beach each morning, sometimes solo, and sometimes with a friend. The birds gathering for breakfast and playing with the surf was extra magical with the light pinks painting the clouds behind them.
At a local coffee shop, I enjoyed the most delicious chai latte and when I got to the bottom, was surprised to see “inspire, create, connect” on the bottom of the mug. Tiny joy!
I visited the cutest indy book store (Two Birds), and the warmth I received from the shop owner (yes! He would love to carry It’s All Connected!) spilled over and led to this conversation with other book buyers who were so genuinely interested and excited about my book - it felt like a big hug.
On our way home, we stopped for one last coffee and treat, and the man in front of us bought the last chocolate croissant just as Gabby told me that was her choice for a treat. (Cue: immediate sobs.) The owner was there and smiled at Gabby and not only turned a plain croissant into a chocolate one, but also added a side of Halloween themed sprinkles. Magic.
Now that we’re back home, the sunny beaches are replaced with cozy rainy vibes. Spacious screen free days with our routine. And you know what? There is just as much to much to be in awe and wonder about here.
Gratitude begets gratitude.
Which of course is the lesson of the heart chakra and the crown chakra, where so much of this lives. In the heart - the air element - reciprocity, love, generosity, vulnerability, gratitude, appreciation, giving and receiving. In the crown - the thought/consciousness element - connection, remembering, spirituality, oneness.
In this week ahead I know I’ll be in awe of my brilliant clients and their ability to access their inner resources and wisdom to bring forth creative solutions to their own problems. I’ll wonder about the timeless nature of the teachings of yoga and how incredible it is that the simple teachings can be applied to our complex world as it is today. I’ll delight in snuggles with my daughter and a date night with Jason.
Small things that I know if I bring presence to them will help them EXPAND into moments of pure awe and delight.
Reflection Questions
1. What are some simple delights in your life, just today?
2. When you access your Inner Appreciator, what shifts in your experience?
3. What is one action you could take today to invite in more awe, wonder or surprise?
Lots of love,
Jess
If you're ready to bring more presence and appreciation into your daily life, download my free Start Within: Leadership & Wellness Guide for journal prompts and a guided morning meditation to anchor the practice.
