On showing up...99 times

 

January 19, 2026 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered! On showing up...99 times Facing the climb...much more than 99 steps... Dear Empowered Reader, Ninety-nine seems to be such an unglamorous number. It is not a fresh start or a grand finale. It is the middle, the place where the novelty has worn off, the confetti is still in the box, and the work is simply to keep showing up. This edition (the 99th newsletter)  is not about looking back at everything we have done together or forward to a big milestone. It is about the often-overlooked art of staying with something long enough for it to matter. Beginnings come with adrenaline: new roles, new projects, new seasons, new notebooks. Endings come with reflection and ritual. Middles are different. They ask for a kind of stamina that rarely gets celebrated. Think about the relationship you are fostering, the job you are still in or working towards, the habit you are still practicing, healing you are still working through. The middle doesn't seem important. And yet the middle is where character, trust, and new roots are actually formed. A while ago, someone shared a simple rule: “I don’t have to promise I’ll do this forever; I just decide not to quit today.” That line has lived rent‑free in my mind. There were weeks when life got complicated, when the newsletter, typically something I really look forward to writing, felt like one more thing, when skipping “just this once” seemed reasonable. On those weeks, the rule became: send something small, honest, and imperfect rather than nothing at all. “Not quitting today” was enough. There was a stretch of trail near my home in Duluth that felt endless. The first five minutes are lovely, the last five offer a beautiful view, but the middle...rocks and grass. No big landmarks, no dramatic turns. Most growth feels like that tall grass. The middle is where you wonder if anything is changing, if your efforts are doing anything at all. Often, the evidence only shows up later: a slightly easier conversation, a tiny bit more capacity to rest, a new ability to say no without apologizing. The middle is where those muscles are built. Last year, my husband and I hiked the Continental Divide in Iceland (photo below). The path was stark and foggy, no sweeping vistas until the very end. Standing there in the endless middle, with mist on all sides, I realized that's exactly how the trail (and life) works: you keep walking because the middle is the only place the real distance gets covered. Another thought I remind myself of is that perfection culture loves a polished before‑and‑after story. The middle resists that. It is messy, full of unresolved questions and experiments that might not work. Consider this your permission slip to be unapologetically “in process.” You are allowed to be learning on the job, grieving and building at the same time, proud of how far you have come and still unsure about what’s next. Being unfinished is not a failure; it is a sign that you are alive and still becoming. If being “in the middle” feels overwhelming, shrink the frame. Instead of asking, “How will I keep this up for another year?” ask, “What is one small continuity I want to keep for one more week?” Maybe it is a short walk, a Sunday planning ritual, a standing check‑in with a friend, or five minutes of breathing before you open your laptop. The point is not to do everything; it is to protect one thread that reminds you who you are and what you care about. Issue 99 is not a victory lap. It is a hand on your shoulder saying: it is okay to be in the thick of things. You do not have to have a tidy story or a clear five‑year plan to be worthy of care, support, or celebration. Wherever you find yourself, halfway through a project, a relationship, a transition, a healing process, may you remember that the middle is not a mistake. It is where the real work, and often the real magic, happens Affirmation I honor the middle of my story; even without a clear ending, every small step I take right now is real, valid, and enough Reflection Where in your life do you feel most “in the middle” right now, not starting, not finishing, just in it? What is one situation where you can borrow the rule “I don’t have to do this forever; I just won’t quit today”? What is one small continuity, a habit, relationship, or practice, you want to protect for the next week as a way of honoring where you are? Take care, dear reader, Julie Founder, Empower Possible My husband and I at the Continental Divide in Iceland. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Scan the QR Code to sign up to be notified when the next Mountain 10 workshop is offered.  What is Mountain 10?                                                                                                                                                         During this three-hour workshop, we will focus on accessing your inner wisdom to bring about the changes you deeply desire in your life. We will use the Mountain 10 process, a proven, new technology for deep reflection on human change. It is based on the conviction that every person has the most important answers about direction, purpose, and calling within them. This directed reflection process leads you through four terrains of exploration, stopping at points on the journey to consider key questions about awareness, letting go, vision and realization. The terrains of your journey will take you into deeper observation of your feelings, thoughts, and images. You will explore what you need to let go of as you truly seek what you really want. We will open a space for a new vision and consider the practical steps to actualize that vision. We will deepen our insights in small circles of trust. Journaling and guided reflection will be used throughout the journey. The Messy Middle It's the messy middle Where our power really lies The daily Small and mundane Choices Decisions That make us. They are the pieces That make a life Come together Slowly Revealing a bigger picture Like a 100,000 piece puzzle Small images Coming together To reveal Ever bigger pictures All the while... The messy middle Is where the fun is Where the unknown unfolds Where magic is Where our power is Where each piece placed Moment by moment Is where we play Where we dance Where we sing Where we feel Where we laugh Where we cry! What a delight What an adventure What a dream To be a Human Being. https://www.soulpoetrycafe.com/p/the-messy-middle Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

The Empowerment of Growth and Gratitude

January 3, 2026 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered! Hello, Dear Reader!  Before we dive into the main content of the newsletter, I would like to share a video interview with you about transitions.  Big life transitions require more than logistics; they need clarity. Jen Schlaak and I talk about: • Why transitions feel so hard • How values influence decisions more than we realize • A real-life example of a retiring couple choosing their next chapter • Why clarity doesn’t mean the process is easy — but it makes it worth it Thinking about what’s next? Send me a message! Take me to the video! The Empowerment of Growth and Gratitude The photo is from a birthday celebration last year. I hosted a coffee tasting party! It felt like the perfect reflection of this season of life: connection, curiosity, and celebration in good company. Now onto our main content.... Last year, I turned 40. Turning 40 feels less like starting over and more like coming home, to my values, my pace, and my purpose. The past has been full of early leaps, lessons learned the hard way, and friendships that have truly lasted, and it all prepared me for a season where ease and confidence finally feel intertwined. As a Well-being specialist and change leader, I often think about how growth isn’t just professional, it’s deeply personal. The same principles that help teams thrive also help individuals regenerate: awareness, alignment, and authentic connection. This chapter is shaped by what I call my personal versions of the Three Empowerments (self, social, systems): moving my body because it feels good, tending to my mental health with support, working on mission-based projects that align with my values and curiosity, and nourishing relationships that inspire me to keep growing. Together, they remind me that transformation doesn’t have to be dramatic; it can be steady, integrative, and full of grace. How the Dimensions of Well-Being Show Up Now Physical Well-Being | Moving for Joy Movement has shifted from being about progress to being about presence. Long gone are my competitive tennis days.  Now, walks, hikes, and yoga are ways to re-center and feel alive. The lesson? Move to feel, not to prove. Mental Well-Being | Embracing Support Mental Health therapy has helped me grow and gain clarity. It’s taught me that support isn’t a sign of struggle, but a sign of commitment to learning and living well. Social Well-Being | Cherishing Connection Gathering with old friends, especially as we all celebrated milestone birthdays, reminded me that relationships are one of life’s richest investments. They ground us in who we were and affirm who we’re becoming. Financial Well-Being | Investing in What Matters Financial well-being looks different now. It’s less about earning more and more about aligning what I have with what I value. Small, consistent choices have created stability and freedom. Emotional Well-Being | Honoring Boundaries  Boundaries have become one of my most empowering tools. Saying “no” thoughtfully creates room for deeper “yeses.” It’s a practice of alignment and courage. Spiritual Well-Being | Trusting the Mystery Spirituality for me lives in rhythm, in nature, ritual, and reflection. My Winter Solstice ritual, lighting candles and naming intentions, always brings a sense of calm clarity. It's a reminder that I don’t need all the answers to feel grounded in purpose. Reflection for You What have your earlier experiences prepared you for now? Which dimension of well-being could use your attention this season? Where do you feel most at ease and alive in yourself? When we pause long enough to ask these kinds of questions, we lead and live from a place of grounded empowerment. Affirmation “I honor the wisdom of my lived experience. Each day, I step forward grounded in my strengths, open to new possibilities, and centered in my empowered self.” Take Care, Dear Reader, and thank you for your readership. Julie Founder,  Empower Possible Another birthday picture from 2022. I loved my mini-mug cake! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Scan the QR Code to sign up to be notified when the next Mountain 10 workshop is offered.  What is Mountain 10?                                                                                                                                                         During this three-hour workshop, we will focus on accessing your inner wisdom to bring about the changes you deeply desire in your life. We will use the Mountain 10 process, a proven, new technology for deep reflection on human change. It is based on the conviction that every person has the most important answers about direction, purpose, and calling within them. This directed reflection process leads you through four terrains of exploration, stopping at points on the journey to consider key questions about awareness, letting go, vision and realization. The terrains of your journey will take you into deeper observation of your feelings, thoughts, and images. You will explore what you need to let go of as you truly seek what you really want. We will open a space for a new vision and consider the practical steps to actualize that vision. We will deepen our insights in small circles of trust. Journaling and guided reflection will be used throughout the journey. Becoming Whole There comes a season when growth feels less like climbing and more like rooting, spreading quiet strength where you stand. The pace slows. You learn to listen for what your body, your spirit, your story already know. This is not a beginning, but a blooming, one nurtured by the lessons that once felt heavy and friendships that still hold steady. Ease finds its way in, not from doing less, but from being more present to what matters. The path ahead no longer rushes; it invites. And here, in the calm between milestones, you remember, growth was never the goal. Wholeness was. Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT. Edit preferences or Unsubscribe