Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts

Monday, February 17, 2025

Celebrating A Milestone Birthday: A Journey of Growth, Regeneration, and Joy

 

 

February 17, 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!

Celebrating A Milestone Birthday: A Journey of Growth, Regeneration, and Joy

The sunset and the Pacific Ocean during a trip to Hawaii

Dear Empowered Reader,


This month, as I celebrate this milestone birthday, I’m reminded that life’s most meaningful moments are woven from both triumphs and challenges. This newsletter isn’t just about marking another year—it’s about honoring how small, intentional acts of celebration can fuel our regeneration of well-being and deepen our connection to ourselves and others. 


Let’s explore how to infuse joy into everyday life while reflecting on lessons learned through adversity.  


Mini Celebrations: A Blueprint for Daily Joy  


Daily: Start with a 5-minute morning ritual—light a candle( I use a heated lamp/ candle warmer instead of lighting a candle), sip tea mindfully, or write down one thing you’re grateful for. These moments can set a positive tone for the day ahead. 


When I was experiencing burnout, these micro-moments anchored me. Even on hectic days, pausing to savor my coffee, morning movement, and meditating became non-negotiable. By taking just a few minutes each morning to center yourself, you can cultivate a sense of peace that carries throughout your day.


Weekly: Designate a “joy hour” for something purely fun—a dance break, nature walk, or creative project. This time is yours to recharge and reconnect with what brings you happiness. I prioritize my weekly sunrise/sunset walks. My walks are my weekly reset—a reminder that productivity isn’t my worth. 

Setting aside this time each week allows you to reflect on your accomplishments and recharge for the days ahead.


Monthly: Host a themed “mini party”—a book club, potluck, or vision-board session. These gatherings foster community and allow you to celebrate shared interests and achievements with friends. I love a themed party. I enjoy gathering friends to celebrate the Winter and Summer Solstice. It’s healing to celebrate growth, not just achievements. These events encourage vulnerability and connection among women who share similar journeys.


Yearly: Create an annual “growth jar”—jot down milestones, lessons learned, or joyful moments throughout the year to revisit on your birthday. Reading past notes showed me how much strength emerged from struggles I once feared would break me. This practice not only highlights your growth but also reinforces the idea that every experience contributes to who you are today.


Why This Matters: Neuroscience shows that regular positive rituals rewire our brains for resilience. These practices transformed my recovery from burnout into daily acts of rebellion against societal pressures to “always do more". By intentionally celebrating small victories and joyful moments, we can shift our focus from what we lack to what we have achieved.

The journey hasn’t always been easy, but each challenge has imparted invaluable lessons that I want to share with you:


1. Embracing Imperfection:

I used to equate leadership with having all the answers. Now I lead by saying, ‘Let’s figure this out together.’ Vulnerability became my superpower. Accepting imperfection allows us to connect more deeply with others and fosters an environment where everyone feels safe to share their ideas and struggles.


2. Boundaries as Love:

Saying ‘no’ to overcommitment let me say ‘yes’ to my most fulfilling work. Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining our well-being and ensuring we have the energy to support others effectively.


3. Celebration as Resistance: 

Honoring small wins—like surviving a tough week—quieted my inner critic. Joy became my protest against hustle culture. In a world that often glorifies busyness, taking time to celebrate ourselves is an act of defiance that reinforces our self-worth.


4. Community as Strength: 

During times of struggle, I leaned heavily on my community. Their encouragement reminded me that I am not alone in this journey. Building a supportive network of women can provide the strength needed to weather life’s storms.


5. Authenticity in Action: 

Being true to myself sometimes meant facing criticism or misunderstanding. BrenΓ© Brown's insight, ‘Authenticity is a collection of choices we have to make every day,’ became a guiding principle in both personal and professional spheres.” Choosing authenticity allows us to live fully in alignment with our values.


As I step into this new chapter filled with gratitude and excitement, I acknowledge the apprehensions that come with change. Empower Possible continues to evolve alongside me, bringing new challenges and opportunities for growth. Each birthday serves as a reminder that life is about embracing transitions—whether they are personal, professional, or spiritual—as they often lead to profound transformation.


In this spirit of growth and exploration, I encourage each of you to reflect on your own journeys.


What changes are you navigating? 


How can you honor these transitions through celebration? 


Remember that every step forward is worthy of recognition.
---
Affirmation:
“I am worthy of celebration exactly as I am—flaws, growth, and all.”


Reflection Questions:  


1. What small victory from this week deserves a silent (or loud!) cheer?  


2. How might prioritizing mini-celebrations shift your relationship with stress?  


3. What societal “rule” about productivity can you rebel against through joy today?  
---
“When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision—then it becomes less important whether I am afraid.” Audre Lorde


Let this milestone remind us: Our greatest power lies not in avoiding storms but in learning to dance in the rain—and inviting others to join us in celebration.


Take Care, Dear Reader,  


Julie Zaruba Fountaine  Founder, Empower Possible LLC  


P.S. What mini-celebration will you gift yourself this week? Hit reply—your stories fuel our collective fire!  

 

Sunrise walk along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

 
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Home Is Where the Heart Is

By: Mrs. Mary Lambert1933 (Cleveland)

Home is where the heart is, that's where we should be.Home is where the heart is, for all the world to see.
Families together, friends are welcome too.
Home is where the heart is, for me and yes for you.
They'll be times there will be laughter, and times there will be tears.  But when we're altogether, we'll conquer all our fears.
Home is where the heart is, that's where we should be.Home is where the heart is, for you and yes for me.
Let us stand together, let's all get along.We can make it happen, we'll show them we are strong.  We'll show them we belong.
Home is where the heart is!

 

Upcoming Events

Empathy Workshop


Saturday, March 22 

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST


Who:
People interested in fostering connection, creativity, and kindness.


What:
A free, 90-minute virtual experience designed to address the need for more empathy in the modern world.


Why:

  • Shift from Indifference to Kindness

  • Connect with Like-Minded Leaders

Join us for an interactive, thought-provoking workshop filled with experiential learning, breakout discussions, and exercises to help you lead with more empathy and impact.


To Register click on the link,SIGN ME UP!

Julie Zaruba Fountaine and Linda Brandt appreciate Late Nite Art’s People Leader Series for teaching us this format.


 

Kind Words 

A special thanks to one of my clients for sharing a few kind words about their experience.

Where can you find EMPOWER Possible?

Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs. 

Where can you find EMPOWER Possible?

Besides posting on my social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs. 

One of my recent collaborations is with Bold Journey. Check out my interview with Bold Journey by clicking the link below.


https://boldjourney.com/meet-julie-zaruba-fountaine


Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being.

https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/ 

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Connect with me on social media!

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Copyright © Empower Possible

Northfield, MN, 55057


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.

Friday, February 24, 2023

Another trip around the sun: Birthday Reflections

 

 

February 27, 2023

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 half-full, instead of 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!

Birthday Reflections

Team Alicia Celebration Dinner
 

Reflecting on Birthdays: A Journey Through Life


A birthday is a special occasion that comes once a year, and it's an opportunity to reflect on our lives, the journey so far, and where we want to go in the future. I celebrated my birthday earlier this month. For me, birthdays bring a mix of emotions, from joy and excitement to sadness and nostalgia. I have found reflecting on my birthday is a powerful tool that has to lead to growth and self-discovery.


Looking back on the past year can help us to see how far we've come and what we've accomplished. We can reflect on our successes, challenges, and areas for growth. This introspective look can also help us to identify patterns and habits that we may want to continue or change. For example, I have the tendency to overthink things and get caught up in the details. Knowing this pattern, I made it a goal of mine last year to try to stay in the present moment, not get caught up in every detail, and be at peace with the pace of life.


In addition to reflecting on our personal lives, birthdays can also be an opportunity to reflect on our relationships with others. I like to think about the people who have been an important part of my life over the past year and consider how I can deepen those connections in the future.

This is where you come in, you all have been part of my journey this year and I am so grateful for your continued readership! πŸ’›


As I continue to reflect on my birthday I consider my life goals. What do I want to achieve in the next year? What steps can I take to make those goals a reality? I consider what legacy I want to leave behind, and how I can make a positive impact in the world. It might sound strange but it is helpful for me to think about what I want my tombstone to read and then I ask myself my I living up to the inscription.


Finally, speaking of tombstones, birthdays are a reminder of my own mortality. It's a reminder that life is short and can spend my life unhappy, worrying about things that are out of my control or I can cherish the moment. I work on practicing gratitude in order to recognize the good things in my life this helps me live life to the fullest, take chances (like starting a business during a pandemic!), and think about the things that bring value to my life. πŸŒπŸ™


Reflecting on my birthday is a valuable experience. It has helped me grow personally. It provides an opportunity to look back on the past, consider the present, and plan for the future. Birthdays are a reminder that life is a journey, and we should take advantage of every opportunity to make the most of it.


You don't have to wait until it is your birthday to reflect. What is something you are proud of? What is something you might want to do differently? What activities bring value to your life?


Now after all of this reflection, it is time for cake!


 
 

The photo above is me with one of my sisters, Jill, celebrating at my parent's house. She made a village of gnomes with strawberry hats, a chocolate cake, and a swiss roll! She is an excellent baker. Celebrating with my friends, family, and the cake are a few of the many things I was grateful for on my birthday!

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Previous Birthday Reflections

Every year I think of a quote or words to live by that will represent the upcoming year. This year my quote is, "Lean Into Your Power". It is inspired by the Alice Walker quote “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”.

If you are wondering last year my words to live by were, "Don't ask for permission.". What inspired this phrase was thinking about how many opportunities I lost because I was waiting for permission. So many dreams go unfulfilled, and so much talent goes untapped because people are waiting to be given permission to do what they really want to do.

 

In the Media

Where can you find EMPOWER Possible?

Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.

Most recently I was a guest on the MRS Podcast (Multiple Revenue Streams).

Check out the episode linked HERE . We discuss the pursuit of happiness and we bust some happiness common myths!

EMPOWER Possible Free Resources

What are three things you can do to improve your mental well-being? Click the link below to watch the video.

Three things you need to know about mental health

Take a few minutes to relax and envision an empowered future. The act of visualization helps you to practice and imagine the future you would like to have. It directs your mind to focus on your goals for the future. Click the link below to get started.

Empowerment visualization

Connect with me on social media!

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Copyright © EMPOWER Possible

4912 Idlewild St., Duluth, United States, 55804


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

A Recap of My Costa Rican Adventure

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