Use the Good Soap

 

September 14, 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!

Use the Good Soap My "Good Soap" from a Minnesota Maker, Sweet Land Farm. Dear Empowered Reader, There’s a lesson in something as simple as the statement, "use the good soap," that relates to how we live our lives and embrace possibility. In our busy, sometimes overwhelming world, how often do we "save something for special occasions" only to find that the moment never quite arrives? Or when it does, what we saved is no longer fresh or usable? Today, I invite you to "use the good soap" to embrace your gifts, moments, and resources fully, right now. What Does It Mean to Use the Good Soap? Using the "good soap" is a metaphor for living in abundance and appreciation. It’s about valuing what we have and not delaying joy or care for a better time, which might never come or come too late. When you use the good soap, you are choosing to honor yourself with the best, the kindest self-care, and the fullest expression of your potential. A Colleague’s Story A few years ago, a colleague shared that she had made a batch of homemade soap. She said, “You actually have to use it, or it will dry out. Don't save the good soap! ” It struck me how often we save things, good soap, resources, time, emotions for some elusive 'someday special'. But if the soap dries out, it loses its purpose and power. Imagine all the times we hold back our kindness, talents, or dreams, thinking “not now” or “I’ll save it for later.” We risk everything drying out, losing its luster, or worse, being wasted. At Empower Possible, I believe in fostering empowerment and building communities to live fully, recognizing the importance of using everything we have to grow and change the world today. The focus is on championing the courage to act, to embrace opportunity, and to regenerate possibilities for ourselves and others. Like using the good soap, the mission is about not waiting for permission or perfect timing; it’s about making now the moment for action and transformation. An Affirmation for You "I choose to live boldly in the present. I welcome abundance and allow myself to use what is good and true now." Reflection Questions 1. What are you holding onto, waiting for the “right” moment to use?   2. How can you bring your full gifts into today’s world without delay?   3. What small act of ‘using the good soap’ can regenerate your spirit right now? A Personal Moment I remember a time when I received a beautiful journal, something I thought was too precious to write in casually. I kept it safe, waiting for the “right” inspiration. Months later, the cover had faded, and the pages were yellowed from waiting. It taught me that the preciousness wasn’t in the journal itself but in the moments and thoughts I poured into it. In the same way, our good soap, our cherished moments, our potential, they come alive when used, not saved. I invite you to join me in reclaiming your “good soap”, your gifts, your moments, and your power and to use them fully now. In doing so, you regenerate not only yourself but the world around you. Take care, Dear reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine   Founder, Empower Possible One of the ways I "use the good soap" is by traveling. I took a photo of this bar of soap in a shop in Fort Collins, Colorado, during a recent trip. Idlewild is the name of a street I used to live on! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. The Summer Day by  Mary Oliver Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do With your one wild and precious life?

In The Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  In this empowering episode of Whole Mom, I sat down with Liz Adams and Rachel Gilbertson to explore Mountain 10 — a transformative process that weaves together intention-setting, labyrinth walking, and deep reflection to guide us through life’s challenges. We talk about how they discovered this work, the power of intentional spaces to grow and connect, and the ways Mountain 10 helps us navigate fear, find clarity, and reconnect with our truth and desires. Liz also shares what a recent retreat with Rachel sparked in her, and how these moments of stillness and intention can ripple into our everyday lives. If you’re feeling ready for a change or transition or in the middle of one right now, this conversation will inspire you to pause, breathe, and take your next step with courage and heart. Click HERE to check out the podcast 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/

Upcoming Events Embark on an extraordinary journey of growth and possibility by joining the upcoming EMPOWER Possible events!  Should you have any burning questions or want more details, don't hesitate to drop me an email at info@EmpowerPossible.com  Mountain 10 Workshop sign up for the waitlist, please click HERE to complete the form    She Leads Conference, Rochester, MN, September 26 Join us for a transformative day where women from all walks of life come together to empower, inspire, and grow in a supportive community. For more information, go to: https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/do/she-leads-conference St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference, Duluth, MN, October 8 and 9 The St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference is celebrating 43 years! Their theme for 2025 is Courageous Connections: The Human in Humanity. What does the “Human in Humanity” mean to you? How do you see people? The people you serve, people you work with or maybe the person at the check-out counter? How do you bring Humanity into these spaces? We work in a tough industry that has great purpose. Strengthening ourselves and our community sometimes requires reflection, understanding the human condition, and embracing ourselves. For more information, go to: https://minnesotachildrensalliance.org/training/43rd-annual-st-louis-county-health-human-services-conference/ Active Bodies, Motivational Interviewing Seminar, Northfield, MN, November 1 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.

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.