Familia para la Aventura: Wellness in Community

March 2, 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!

Familia para la Aventura: Wellness in Community Our National Geographic Journeys travel group. At the salt mines in Peru. Dear Empowered Reader,   In my last newsletter, I shared how my time in Peru invited me to “engage my true self”. To really notice what my body needed at altitude, to slow down, and to listen to what my mind and body needed. As I focused on being present, something interesting happened: it naturally created space for a different kind of connection with the people around me. From the moment our small tour group gathered in Lima at 6 p.m. that first evening, it was clear that we each arrived with our own stories, hopes, and worries. Over shared meals and long bus rides through the Sacred Valley, a sense of community began to form, one conversation and experience at a time. Our local guide welcomed us with a phrase that stayed with me: “We are 'familia para la aventura', a 'family for the adventure'. It felt like both an invitation and a reminder. Within days, this group of strangers became a circle of support. We shared snacks and sunscreen, checked in on each other’s energy at high altitude, and passed around extra gear when something broke.  Offering what we had and asking for what we needed. It showed me that empowerment isn't always about total independence; sometimes it's about opening up to ask for what you need, receiving care from others, and finding real strength in those connections. One of the most powerful moments came when we visited Parque de la Papa and later the Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo. Community members welcomed us not as spectators, but as participants in a living story of preservation, resilience, and reciprocity. As they shared how their work sustains both the land and their livelihoods, I felt how essential shared purpose is to genuine connection. Hearing their stories showed me how we are all interconnected, how we can all help carry forward these traditions by sharing what we learn, supporting sustainable efforts, and bringing that spirit of reciprocity back to our own communities. As we traveled through Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Urubamba, those lessons were reinforced. On the long bus rides between mountain villages, it was the small gestures that built a sense of belonging among our group: a supportive word before a hike, a reminder to hydrate, a shared handful of coca leaves. These moments were an example of what it means to catalyze our social networks, small, intentional acts of presence that help others feel seen, supported, and safe.  In many of my past travels, my reflection has happened mostly in solitude. This trip felt different. It invited me to widen the circle, to remember that meaningful change often emerges in relationships. Whether we’re on a mountain trail or in the middle of a typical workday, connection rarely happens by accident; it’s something we practice. Reflect on and practice.  As you think about your own well-being and relationships, you might explore: Which communities or relationships are currently sustaining and energizing you? Where might you need to ask for support instead of trying to carry everything by yourself? How could you be a “weaver” in your circles, someone who thoughtfully connects people, ideas, and resources for the good of the whole? Try this weekly connection check-in:  Pick one person in your life or work and send them a genuine note of gratitude, encouragement, or curiosity. No strings attached, don't expect anything in return. Affirmation Together, we are capable of meaningful, connected change. If you’d like to go deeper with this reflection. The poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, Kindness. It’s a beautiful reminder that true kindness and true community often grow out of our willingness to acknowledge both our own pain and the pain of others. When we honor our stories and make room for others to share theirs, we help weave a larger tapestry of transformation. Read the poem below.  In the next newsletter, we’ll step into the third empowerment: Activate Systems Awareness, drawing inspiration from the Incan terraces and the design of Machu Picchu and exploring how they can help us imagine more life-giving systems in our own lives and organizations. Take care, Dear Reader, Julie Founder, Empower Possible Spending the day hiking to Machu Picchu across challenging terrain was made easier with the group. We cheered each other on and supported one another throughout the hike. Hiking the Inca Trail is one of my favorite travel experiences ever.  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. Kindness Naomi Shihab Nye Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth. What you held in your hand, what you counted and carefully saved, all this must go so you know how desolate the landscape can be between the regions of kindness. How you ride and ride thinking the bus will never stop, the passengers eating maize and chicken will stare out the window forever. Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness you must travel where the Indian in a white poncholies dead by the side of the road. You must see how this could be you, how he too was someone who journeyed through the night with plans and the simple breath that kept him alive. Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. You must wake up with sorrow. You must speak to it till your voicecatches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth. Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore, only kindness that ties your shoes and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread, only kindness that raises its headfrom the crowd of the world to say It is I you have been looking for,and then goes with you everywhere like a shadow or a friend. From Words Under the Words: Selected Poems. Copyright © 1995 by Naomi Shihab Nye.

Upcoming Events LPHA Virtual Training March 6th Title: Your Next Best Step: Leadership Reflective Practice Session description: Reflective practice is the intentional process of examining our actions, experiences, and decisions to gain insights and foster growth. In noticing how we are “united in passion and purpose”, we walk alongside others through their most vulnerable moments, and reflection becomes a vital tool for processing our emotions and understanding the true impact of our work. This workshop invites participants to engage in structured reflective practices. Together, we will explore how ongoing reflection not only helps us notice the ripple effects of our actions on others but also reveals how our work and those we serve shape us in return. Registration Link Coming Soon! 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.

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. Upcoming Events March 6, 2026 LPHA Virtual Training  Title: Your Next Best Step: Leadership Reflective Practice Session description: Reflective practice is the intentional process of examining our actions, experiences, and decisions to gain insights and foster growth. In noticing how we are “united in passion and purpose”, we walk alongside others through their most vulnerable moments, and reflection becomes a vital tool for processing our emotions and understanding the true impact of our work. This workshop invites participants to engage in structured reflective practices. Together, we will explore how ongoing reflection not only helps us notice the ripple effects of our actions on others but also reveals how our work and those we serve shape us in return. Registration Link Coming Soon!

Bridging self social and systems empowerment

December 22, 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!

Bridging self, social, and systems empowerment This photo captures a moment from a WINGS grant celebration, where donations from generous individuals empower organizations within our community. Through these collective contributions, strong community bonds are built, and supportive systems grow to uplift women, youth, and families, embodying the very spirit of empowerment in action. Dear Empowered Reader, Over the past several newsletters, we've taken a journey together through the three core empowerments that form the heart of Empower Possible.  We began with self-empowerment, getting to know ourselves deeply, building resilience, and embracing the courage required to lead authentically from within. Then, we reached outward into social empowerment, discovering the incredible power of connection, trust, and shared growth. And last time, we explored systems empowerment, the bigger environment where our individual and collective efforts take root and flourish. Now, having walked through each empowerment individually, it’s time to bring them all together. How do we actually live these three empowerments as a unified whole? How do self, social, and systems empowerment blend into our daily lives and decision-making? This is where the magic of holistic practice begins, the place where personal insight, meaningful relationships, and systems awareness come together to create lasting impact. The Power of Bridging Each Empowerment Think about your day.  When do you check in with yourself?  How often do you connect with others in ways that feel authentic and supportive?  And do you pause to consider the larger systems or environments that influence your choices and relationships? When we consciously weave these three threads together, our decisions become richer, wiser, and more regenerative. Starting with yourself, a simple morning ritual of reflection can center your energy and build your resilience to face whatever comes your way. From there, when you reach out, whether it’s to a colleague, friend, or team member, with openness and genuine curiosity, you strengthen your social web of support. Finally, by holding space in your awareness for the bigger picture, how your role fits within your organization, community, or even society, you begin to align your actions with greater purpose. One example I love comes from a nonprofit I recently worked with. Their leadership team adopted a daily morning huddle, but it’s not your typical status update. Each person shares a personal intention for the day, a moment of self-empowerment. Then, they check what support they need or can offer within the team; that’s social empowerment in action. Finally, they reflect on any external or systemic factors affecting their work, from funding shifts to community needs. This is the system empowerment that keeps their decisions grounded and future-focused. This simple, short ritual transformed how they worked together, more aligned, agile, and aware. On a more personal level, a friend of mine developed a journaling practice that bridges all three empowerments. Every evening, she journals one insight or feeling she experienced that day. She notes a meaningful interaction or connection that nourished her. And then she reflects on how something larger, maybe organizational culture or societal trends, is playing a role in her leadership journey. Over weeks and months, this practice deepened her clarity and helped her lead from a place of grounded empathy and strategic awareness. Another example is from a recent WINGS grant celebration, I witnessed firsthand how self, social, and systems empowerment come to life through community support (the photo at the beginning of this newsletter is from the event). Individual donors, each bringing their own values and intentions, contribute to a shared vision of empowering women and families in Northfield. This collective giving strengthens social bonds among donors, grantees, and community members, a true example of social empowerment. Beyond the gathering, the grants fund programs that address systemic challenges such as economic barriers, education gaps, and wellness disparities, demonstrating systems empowerment that nurtures long-term change. Seeing this cycle of individual commitment, community collaboration, and systemic impact reminds us how intertwined these empowerments are and how powerful their combined force can be when we choose to bridge them. Take a few moments to watch a short uplifting video about WINGS and the positive impact each of us can have on our communities.  https://youtu.be/ftGt50wAdjg?si=_H2gS5xOT28FnZou An Affirmation to Carry You Forward Try saying this to yourself as you move through your day:  "I am a conscious bridge between my inner wisdom, my relationships, and the world around me. Each day, I act with clarity, connection, and care." Let this affirmation remind you that you don’t have to choose between self, others, or the bigger system; they are all part of the vibrant, living web that you bring to life. Reflections Before you close this newsletter, take a moment with these questions: How do I currently find harmony among my own needs and insights with those of my community and the broader systems I’m part of? What daily habits or rituals help me stay connected to my authentic self while also fostering meaningful relationships and awareness of larger impacts? When difficult decisions arise, how often do I pause to consider the ripple effects beyond my immediate circle? These questions aren’t meant for quick answers. Instead, let them be invitations to explore how you might live your empowerments more fully and intentionally. Bridging these three empowerments isn’t always straightforward; it’s a daily practice, an ongoing conversation with yourself and the world. But as you weave together self, social, and systems awareness, you open up new possibilities to lead, influence, and create change that regenerates not just your world but the worlds of those around you. Take Care, Dear Reader, Julie Founder,  Empower Possible Taking time to reflect, especially through the Mountain 10 process, deepens my connection to all three empowerments, strengthening my self-awareness, enriching my relationships, and expanding my understanding of the larger systems we navigate. 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?                                                                                                                                                       Unlock your inner wisdom and guide the changes you truly desire in your life with our upcoming three-hour workshop. Using the Mountain 10 process, a proven technology for deep, mindful reflection, you’ll journey through four transformative terrains, each crafted to help you reconnect with your sense of purpose and possibility. Throughout this journey, you’ll pause to consider essential questions on awareness, letting go, vision, and realization. By tuning into your thoughts, feelings, and inner imagery, you’ll discover what no longer serves you and what you truly want to invite into your life. Together, we’ll create space for fresh vision and explore practical steps for making those insights a reality. Journaling, guided reflection, and intentional sharing circles will deepen your experience, helping you grow trust and understanding as you connect with others on this path. Join us for this regenerative experience and open the door to meaningful change, within yourself, and in the world we create together. When Life Gets Tough Poet: Catherine Pulsifer When life gets tough and skies turn gray, Keep moving forward, don’t lose your way. With every step, you’re growing strong, Be encouraged as you go along. Though challenges rise and doubts appear, Remember, brighter days are near. So face the storm, don’t be dismayed, Don't let your enthusiasm ever fade!

Kind Words from a Client A special thanks to one of my clients for sharing a few kind words about her experience.

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.