If I met my past self.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with your past self? To look into those eyes—perhaps a bit more guarded, maybe a touch more vulnerable—and just listen? This morning, I woke up thinking about it and asked myself how I would feel if I had that opportunity. Would I embrace her rough-around-the-edges moments, those questionable choices, and the hard-won victories she fought so fiercely for? How would I honor her today?

When I think about it, I’d want to thank her—and if you know me, you know I’m all about the hugs, and she’d be getting a lot of them. I’d thank her for the strength she called on when life didn’t make sense, for the lessons she endured, and for the resilience she built along the way. Every decision she made—each one a stepping stone that brought her closer to this version of me—has shaped who I am today. Even those chapters I’d love to rewrite or forget became part of a bigger story, one that’s still unfolding.

Every chapter we leave behind has a purpose, no matter how messy or uncertain it felt in the moment. It’s easy to get lost in the “what-ifs” and “if-onlys,” but if we linger there, we risk missing the beauty of the present and the potential of the future. So, rather than striving for perfection in our past or our present, what if we focused on creating as much inner peace as we can? Peace doesn’t mean perfection; it means allowing yourself to fully embrace every part of your journey, knowing each moment is helping you refine who you want to be moving forward.

Imagine looking back with empathy, not regret. To appreciate every struggle, every setback, as an essential ingredient in the life you’re creating now. From this lens, our biggest regrets can be transformed into guideposts, showing us what we truly value and who we aspire to become. In this way, our past selves become honored teachers, allowing us to grow without clinging to old mistakes or limiting definitions of who we are.

Our past selves remind us that growth isn’t about erasing or perfecting, but about fully embracing who we are today. Every new choice, every shift in perspective, is an opportunity to build a life rooted in authenticity and peace.

So as we reflect on our past, here’s a little love note to remind us to honor it. Appreciate each part for its role in shaping who you are. Release what no longer serves you, and step into the present with gratitude for how far you’ve come. In this way, you create space for new beginnings and a beautifully, empowered future. Embrace the journey—your journey. Every step brings you closer to your truest self.

Building the Bridge: How Meditation Transformed My Life and Opened My Spirit

Life can definitely feel like a whirlwind sometimes, with thoughts racing nonstop and emotions pulling us in every direction. For years, my mind was like that—constantly jumping from one thing to the next. I was stuck in “monkey mind” mode, always overthinking, restless, and overwhelmed by anxiety, heart palpitations, and panic attacks. Sitting still felt like an impossible task, and peace seemed way out of reach.

Then, I found meditation.

At first, I turned to it because I needed some calm in my life. And sure enough, it did that—helped quiet the noise, soothed my anxiety, and made me feel more grounded. But what I didn’t expect was how meditation would do so much more than just calm my mind—it became a doorway to something bigger, something I hadn’t even realized I was searching for.

Meditation opened me up to a whole new level of awareness. Little by little, it helped me connect to something beyond the everyday world. I started sensing the presence of departed loved ones, angels, ascended masters, and beings of light. And while this sounds like something out of a storybook, it became my reality. Meditation had become the bridge that allowed me to step into the spirit world.

But it didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken me 13 years of practice—and trust me, I haven’t been perfect at it every day. Some days I showed up, and some days I didn’t. But I kept coming back. And from the moment I felt the presence of my father in a meditation class, not long after he had passed away, I knew I was on a journey I couldn’t turn away from.

I was hooked. After that first connection, my mornings and evenings became dedicated to meditation. Sometimes I’d sit for nearly an hour, my mind so still that it felt like time itself had stopped. Of course, eventually, my legs would fall asleep, and I’d have to come back down to earth! But even on the days when I could only squeeze in five minutes, the effects were just as powerful.

Meditation taught me that it’s not about how long you sit—it’s about showing up. It’s about letting go of expectations and just being present with yourself, even for a few moments.

For me, meditation became more than just a way to calm my anxiety. It became a path to discovering a deeper sense of purpose, a way to connect with the universe, and to tap into a well of love and guidance I never knew existed.

If you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just curious about what else might be out there, I encourage you to give meditation a try. It doesn’t have to be perfect or long. Just start with a few minutes and see where it takes you.

You might just find that, like me, it becomes the bridge that connects you to something greater—a space where your mind quiets, your heart opens, and your spirit expands. And in that space, you’ll find the peace, clarity, and connection you’ve been searching for all along.