Where does your energy come from?

 

April 13, 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!

Where Does Your Energy Come From? A cup of homemade espresso is an energizing way to start my morning. Dear Empowered Reader, Lately, I have been thinking about a powerful question: Where does my energy come from? In times of transition, whether personally or professionally, we can learn a lot when we pay attention to our energy. It reveals what matters most, where alignment exists, and what might be calling for renewal. In this newsletter, we’re revisiting the three empowerments, Self, Social, and Systems, through the lens of energy: how to nourish it, protect it, and design spaces where it can thrive. This past December, my husband and I decided to buy something we had been eyeing for a while, an espresso maker! It wasn’t the most expensive or extravagant model, but it felt like a gift to ourselves: a small way to brighten our mornings. A few days a week, the morning starts with the soft hum of the machine, the aroma of espresso filling our kitchen, and that first sip that slows time for just a moment. A strong espresso is not something I can gulp; I have to pause and sip. That quiet pause has become an invitation not just to wake up, but to tune in. As I’ve stood there, espresso cup in hand, I’ve found myself reflecting: Where does my energy really come from? Of course, caffeine plays its part (let’s be honest!), but the kind of energy that truly sustains life, the kind that fuels compassion, resilience, and helps us navigate change, that energy is different. It’s cultivated from connection, clarity, and care. This year has reminded me that energy is not a constant resource; it’s dynamic. It ebbs and flows with our boundaries, relationships, routines, and environments. When I feel most energized, it’s never because my calendar is packed or my to-do list is complete. It’s when I feel aligned, when I have time to breathe, to move, to laugh, to create. That’s the heart of Empower Possible’s framework in action, understanding energy and empowerment through three interconnected lenses: Self, Social, and Systems. Energy begins with awareness. How do we nourish the internal engine that drives our focus and compassion? For me, it’s often the simplest moments that restore the most: the warmth of the espresso cup in my hands, practicing gratitude, stepping outside between meetings to catch natural light. Self-empowerment means giving ourselves permission to slow down, to set gentle boundaries, to choose rest without guilt. Our energy expands when we are in sync with our values, our breath, and our purpose. Try starting your day with this reflection: “What kind of energy do I want to create, not just consume (I’m looking at you, social media…) today?” We underestimate how deeply relationships shape our energy. Some interactions leave us feeling heavier; others inspire calm confidence and curiosity. This season, I’ve had meaningful conversations with my sisters, colleagues, and friends, and I have started to notice how energy flows between people, in meetings, in community work, and in families. When we show up authentically and listen fully, we co-create energy that multiplies. Ask yourself: Who in your life fuels joy, encouragement, or possibility? How can you intentionally offer that same spark to others this week? Social empowerment invites us to belong and to lift. When we share energy consciously, we start building communities that sustain themselves rather than burn out. Finally, our energy doesn’t just depend on personal habits or relationships; it’s also shaped by the systems we work and live within. Do the environments, policies, and expectations around you invite rest, balance, and creativity? Or do they reward only output and constant performance? As a change management and well-being practitioner, I see this intersection  clearly: when a workplace values well-being, energy becomes a shared resource, not a personal burden. Leaders who pause to ask, “How are people really doing?” create ripple effects of engagement, trust, and renewal. Systems empowerment asks each of us to be architects, to advocate for conditions that allow energy to flow, not just survive. After paddling on the water, I always feel more energized, especially if I bring someone along! Reflection Questions When you feel most energized, what do you notice about your surroundings, your mindset, and your relationships? What’s one small daily ritual that helps you reconnect to your natural rhythm? How might you design or redesign a system in your life or workplace to better honor energy renewal and rest? Take time with these. Maybe bring them into a journal entry, a team discussion, or your next planning session. An Affirmation  “I create energy through alignment, intention, and compassion.  I honor what fuels me — self, connection, and the systems I shape.” Take a deep breath with those words.  Let them guide your next meeting, your next walk, your next sip of coffee. Tools for Renewal Here are a few practices to help you sustain and shape your energy this month: The Morning Grounding: Before checking your phone or email, take three deep breaths and name one thing you’re grateful for. Then decide: What kind of energy do I want to bring into this day? Energy Mapping: Spend a week noticing what activities or interactions give you energy and which ones drain it. Use what you find to set boundaries or make adjustments. Connection Pause: Schedule a brief conversation with someone who leaves you feeling inspired or lighter after you talk. Share a story, a laugh, or a question about what’s giving them energy lately. System Review: Reflect on your environment — your workspace, routines, or team culture. What small change could make energy flow more freely? Rest-as-Reset: Treat rest not as a break from productivity, but as a form of presence. Rest is how energy returns to clarity. These small choices, practiced with intention, ripple outward to shape how we show up in our work, relationships, and systems of care. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. A good breakfast keeps me energized for hours.  Here I am enjoying my favorite meal while on vacation in Iceland. It was a great way to start a day full of adventures! As we step into a new year, may you notice what replenishes you. May you protect your energy as both sacred and shared, a resource that grows when tended well. At Empower Possible, I believe the future of change work begins not in urgency, but in awareness. When we align our energy with our purpose, across self, social, and systems, we don’t just manage change. We embody it. So here’s to new beginnings, to well-tended energy, and to living from the inside out. Take care, Dear Reader,  Julie Zaruba Fountaine  Founder, Empower Possible Geysers can be a valuable source of geothermal energy. This geyser is located in Yellowstone National Park. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Spring Energy by Angelica Tao That kind of spring energy, kind of jolting glass, kind of jumping jack, jumping bean… Then the bursts.  Ears on my thoughts.  And kinds of irises in my eyes, sprouting.  Just jolts out like a new pack of socks.  Torn with energy and sparkling water.  Tie dye in my brain.  Gesturing to the kitchen fence.  And nothing I left over there got left over there, there… Read the rest at https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/spring_energy_1807857

Upcoming Events Mountain 10 Workshops 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. Click HERE to sign up to be on the waitlist for the next workshop. I will reach out once a workshop is scheduled that meets your availability. Please reach out if you have any questions, info@empowerpossible.com

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.

Empowerment Grows: Celebrating Connection & Social Strength Together

 

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!

Empowerment Grows: Celebrating Connection & Social Strength Together Celebrating together with friends is one way I empower my social connections. Dear Empowered Reader, As we embark on this journey together, I want to continue to introduce you to the heart of Empower Possible, what I call the three empowerments.  These are the pillars that guide how we grow personally, connect meaningfully, and create lasting change not just in our lives but in our communities and organizations. First, a quick recap: the empowerment of the self is our foundation. It’s about building resilience, gaining clarity, and nurturing the confidence to lead authentically, even when stepping into the unknown.  When I reflect on this, I see self-empowerment as the starting place for everything, because when we know and trust ourselves, we create the space to show up fully in our work, relationships, and communities. It’s the grounding from which all other growth flows. Next, we extend this foundation outward to our relationships and networks, which brings us to our second empowerment: social. This is where we celebrate the power of connection, strengthening collaboration, deepening trust, and amplifying our collective impact. Because real transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we come together, share our unique strengths, and lift each other up. In the next newsletter, we’ll explore the third empowerment: systems, the ways we align structures and strategies to sustain meaningful success. This is about the big picture, redesigning the environments we influence so they support long-term growth and well-being. Together, these three empowerments tell a story of how transformation grows, from the inside out, and from the individual to the community to the system. Let’s dive deeper into where we are now, social empowerment, and the gifts it brings. Today, I want to take that growth a step further and celebrate social empowerment,  the power we find in connection, collaboration, and community. Recently, I had the privilege of facilitating a weekend retreat for students from diverse backgrounds. When we first gathered, I could sense a deep hesitancy; several students avoided eye contact, sat with their arms crossed, and spoke quietly, hesitant to show vulnerability or challenge existing group dynamics. Instead of jumping into activities right away, I started with an icebreaker where each student shared a "rose and thorn" from their week, naming both a recent joy and a personal challenge. I modeled openness by sharing my own uncertainties about leading the retreat, which helped ease tensions and brought out a few smiles. To deepen the connection, I introduced an element of deep listening: after one student shared, their partner was asked to reflect back on what they heard without judgment or interruption. This practice helped students feel truly heard and understood, fostering trust and opening the door for more authentic sharing. Gradually, the atmosphere softened. During small breakout groups, I invited students to talk about “unfinished stories” from their lives, moments they found difficult or confusing, where they hadn’t yet found all the answers. This led to laughter over shared experiences and empathy as students realized they weren’t alone in facing struggles like balancing schoolwork and family expectations or dealing with self-doubt. A turning point came when a usually quiet student spoke up about feeling scared to fail in her goals. The group responded with encouragement and practical advice, creating a supportive environment. By the retreat’s end, many students had formed new friendships and partnerships, and we ended with group reflections, where everyone added words or drew images symbolizing trust, hope, and connection. Witnessing these students open up and connect reinforced how much more we can achieve together. Social empowerment means creating safe spaces where everyone feels seen and heard, expanding our circles of strength so that when challenges arise, we stand resilient as one. Reflection Questions to Consider: Who in your network lifts you up and helps you see new possibilities? Who in your life drains your energy or limits your potential, and how can you set healthier boundaries with them?  When was the last time you felt truly heard and supported in a team or community? How can you create more space for authentic connection and collaboration in your work or life? Our networks, friends, teams, and communities are the soil in which our strength grows.  Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. In our next (and final) installment, I’ll share how we can take these connections and insights to influence and transform the larger systems around us. Take care, dear reader,  Julie Founder Empower Possible Playing games is also a way I connect with friends. Poem "New roots find purchase side by side,Holding ground when storms arise—Linked by kindness, vision wide,We lift each other, higher tides."Positive Affirmation:"I am open to collaboration and trust that meaningful connections will enrich my journey."

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 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.

Empowerment of Self: Leading from Within

 

October 27, 2025 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!

Empowerment of Self: Leading from Within The Three Empowerments: Self, Social, and Systems Dear Empowered Reader, Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here. I want to sit with you, just for a few minutes, and start a conversation about what it really means to empower ourselves, especially when life asks us to step into something new and unfamiliar. This newsletter is the beginning of a three-part series exploring the heart of Empower Possible: the three empowerments. The Three Empowerments are self, social, and systems. Together, the three empowerments help us build a foundation that supports well-being, change, and transformation. Today, we begin with the most personal and foundational, the empowerment of self About a year ago, I found myself at a crossroads, one of those big career transitions that change everything. I said “yes” to a new role in a completely different industry. Exciting, right? Sure. But also with change, there is uncertainty. It meant saying goodbye to a truly wonderful team; people who I cared about and who cared about me, who laughed with me, and who made even the hardest days brighter. There was comfort there, and I left it behind for growth and a leap into the unknown. Can you relate? Maybe you’re in the middle of a big change too, or you’re about to make a decision that means letting go of something good in hopes of something great (or at least different). I remember those first few mornings in my new role, feeling awkward, a little lost, and missing my old routines and relationships. I wondered: how long will I feel like this? That’s when the idea of self-empowerment became more than a workshop topic; it became a lifeline. Honestly, I needed practical ways to ground myself. So, I journaled. I made a habit of stepping outside for a walk, even when it was cold. I learned to celebrate the tiniest wins: mastering one new process, connecting meaningfully with a new colleague, or just making it through a tough meeting. Slowly, resilience started to take root. If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s that empowerment isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about tending to your own well-being, giving yourself permission to be uncomfortable, and believing that confidence grows one small step at a time. Reflection Questions to Consider: What small daily practices have helped you build resilience during times of change? How do you define success for yourself when stepping into something unfamiliar? What strengths or skills do you feel confident leaning into right now? Positive Affirmation: "Today, I honor my inner resilience and trust that clarity comes with each step forward." Let’s keep this conversation going. Next time, I’ll share how strengthening ourselves opens the door to building stronger, more meaningful connections with others, the seeds of social empowerment. I’m listening, and I’d love to hear if this resonates with you. What’s your story of leaning into the unknown? With gratitude and hope, Julie Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. While working remotely, I often work from various locations across Northfield, MN. This flexibility is more than a logistical convenience; it's a form of self-empowerment. By allowing myself to choose an environment that matches my energy and focus, I incorporate regular movement, invite novelty, and create moments to pause and reflect throughout my day. These conscious changes not only support my productivity but also remind me to care for my well-being, one workspace at a time. Poem "Within the quiet, courage grows A steady whisper, ‘You can rise.’ Light returns behind closed eyes; Strength emerges, Quiet wise." Upcoming Events

Embark on an extraordinary journey of growth and possibility by joining the upcoming EMPOWER Possible events!  Should you have any questions or want more details, don't hesitate to drop me an email at info@EmpowerPossible.com  Active Bodies, Motivational Interviewing Seminar, Northfield, MN, November 8 Sharing the techniques and structures for creating effective engagement and support for a diversity of individuals involved in active body pursuits.  Using culturally and physically sensitive language, and physically embodying activities designed for diverse groups. Mountain 10 WorkshopTo sign up for the waitlist, please click HERE to complete the form 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.