Empower Possible Gift Guide

 

November 7, 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!

An Empower Possible Gift Guide A thoughtful thank-you gift sent to me from Sweet Land Farms by a friend. Dear Empowered Reader, As the holiday season approaches, I find joy in discovering curated gift lists. They help me focus on quality products thoughtfully recommended by trusted sources. This year, I’m excited to share gifts that embody care, quality, and transformative experiences. I’ve compiled a selection of items and experiences I genuinely love. These are heartfelt recommendations with no affiliate links, just sincere suggestions to inspire your gift giving, whether for friends, family, or even yourself. Art of Presence Journal: Aligned Enchantment: 100-day Self-Reflection Journal: This beautifully made journal, created by Rachel Gilbertson, is a wonderful tool to cultivate presence and reflection with its artful prompts and design. I use this journal every Monday during Rachel’s Mindful Mondays online sessions, which helps me center and set an intention for the week. It’s a gift that encourages mindfulness and aligned enchantment. Discover it here: artofpresence.org/alignedenchantment. Taylor & Co Boutique: A few years ago, a friend introduced me to Taylor & Co, a thoughtfully curated boutique founded by a mother-daughter nurse duo. They specialize in handcrafted, all-natural self-care products and services with a focus on health, wellness, and holistic healing. Their products are made in Minnesota using natural ingredients. I have tried their face bar soap, which is great for my sensitive skin, the hydrating body oil, and the menthol pain and migraine relief balm. A friend of mine loves their candles, and we both enjoy going to their in-person fitness classes. Check them out at   https://taylorandco.boutique/shop/. Content Bookstore: Support local bookstores by gifting books from independent bookstores. These stores often carry carefully curated selections that spark imagination, curiosity, and a love for reading. Supporting independent bookstores sustains small businesses and preserves unique, community-focused spaces for discovering new authors and unique titles, making your gifts thoughtful and meaningful. I recently bought my nephew a unique calendar from Content, and he loved it, a win, especially since shopping for a teenager can be tricky! Explore their collection at https://www.contentbookstore.com/. Sweet Land Farms: I have personally purchased and love giving their soap, lotion, and chapstick as gifts. These high-quality, nourishing products are handmade with organic ingredients by a small, family-run business. If you’re near or visiting Minnesota’s North Shore, you can also stop by the farm to pick fresh organic blueberries. They are absolutely delicious! Supporting Sweet Land Farms is a meaningful way to share thoughtful gifts while backing a sustainable brand and a former colleague of mine, sweetlandmn.com/online-store Gifts of Experience  I believe in the power of experiences as gifts. They create lasting memories and personal growth that transcend material items. My husband and I have decided to focus on the gift of experience instead of material things, from traveling together to sharing meals at restaurants we’d normally skip. This practice keeps the spirit of giving alive in our relationship. Here are a few ideas: One of the most meaningful gifts you can give is time and connection. Consider taking a loved one out for a special tea or coffee date, an opportunity to slow down, share conversations, and create lasting memories.  You might also organize a small gathering of friends or family, whether for a cozy winter potluck, a walking meetup, or a mindful group activity. Personally, I host an annual Winter Solstice party, which has been a wonderful way to welcome the new season of light with warmth, community, and celebration. These shared experiences have been a fun way for me to make sure I spend time connecting with my friends during a busy time of family commitments. Empower Possible Online Course: Give someone the chance for personal and professional transformation by gifting my signature online course, crafted specifically for change-makers (Career Crossroads, Empower Possible).   Host a Mt 10 Retreat: Provide the gift of rejuvenation and connection by organizing a Mountain 10 retreat for friends. These retreats seamlessly merge nature, reflection, and empowerment, perfect for deeper bonds and renewal (https://empowerpossible.com). An Affirmation: My thoughtful offerings create ripples of joy, extending far beyond the moment of unveiling. Reflection Questions: Personal Values What values do you hold most dear?  How do these values influence your gift choices? Relationships What is the significance of the person you are gifting?  How has your relationship evolved? Memorable Gifts What is the most meaningful gift you have received, and why? How did that gift impact your relationship with the giver? Future Aspirations What do you hope to achieve in your relationships in the coming year? How can your gifts support these aspirations? Whether you select a tangible gift or an enriching experience, the essence of gifting can build meaningful connections and purposeful intention. I hope these favorites inspire your holiday giving with heart and intention. Take care, dear reader,  Julie Founder, Empower Possible  One experience my husband and I gifted each other was a "Make Your Own Chocolate Bar Class"; it was a fun way to learn more about chocolate, spend some time together, and create something tasty! 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 Art of Giving In hands held out, love is found, A gift given, without a bound. Silent words spoken in a gesture so sweet, In giving, two souls often meet.   A thought, a whisper, a silent song, In every gift, a bond so strong. A dance of hearts, a ballet so neat, Where hopes and dreams often greet.   Offered with grace, received with glee, Gifts are bridges across the sea. Uniting souls, making spirits light and free, Such is the art of giving, as pure as can be. https://engdic.org/poems-about-gifts-and-presents/

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 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.

You don’t have to know everything

 

September 29, 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!

You don’t have to know everything My husband and I are in the mountains of Colorado. During this trip we embraced the uncertainty of the weather, the terrain, the wildlife and altitude.  Dear Empowered Reader, How about a moment of mindful reflection to begin your day? Take a few moments to breathe and ponder the following questions,  Do you feel uncertain?  What if your uncertainty is a quiet calling from your inner wisdom?  What if being a little lost, feeling restless, or sensing “something more” is the best sign you’ve got? In our loud world overflowing with hot takes, hacks, and “just three steps to transformation”, sometimes what we need isn’t another answer, but space for deeper questions. Most people are thirsty for wisdom, not just information. We scroll, accumulate courses, ask AI experts… and yet, the essential insight feels missing. Pause with me.  What if not knowing and living in the uncertainty is exactly where you need to be? Standing at the Crossroads You care. You’re changing. You’re seeking something different, something more. Whether you’re at a crossroads in your career, contemplating a leap, feeling “lost,” or dreaming of a “second mountain,” that foggy, fidgety not-knowing might be your next best step. What I have seen time and again in the Mountain 10 retreats: People don’t arrive with all the answers. They arrive with a willingness, a longing, a readiness. That sense of “this can’t be all there is”, it’s the spark. The Mountain 10 Journey Mountain 10 is not your average workshop. It’s a guided retreat designed to help you access your inner wisdom through presence, reflection, and gentle inquiry. It’s a transformative process for individuals, teams, and organizations, whether you crave renewed direction after your children leave home, wish to rejuvenate your career, or simply reconnect with yourself. In each Mountain 10 experience, you’ll:  Welcome and ground yourself, setting a clear intention for your journey. Be guided through four terrains: Awareness, Letting Go, Vision, and Realization. Reflect quietly, journal, and share insights in small, supportive circles. Explore what needs release, what’s possible, and tangible steps to bring new visions to life. Leave with a practical action plan and the supportive company of others walking their own path. What Makes This Different Mountain 10 focuses on accessing your innate wisdom through structured reflection. You leave with concrete actions, not just insight. Many participants say it’s unlike anything else, opening a space for profound change and clarity — even when you start out not knowing what you want. “Anyone with the urge to unlock your potential — go for it.” — Participant feedback Here’s what you walk away with:  Clarity around a decision or direction Renewed sense of purpose A practical action plan Supportive community Tools for ongoing growthMountain-10-Proposal-3-2.pdf You Don’t Have to Know Everything to Begin.  If you’re ready to move “sometime later” to “now”… That’s what Mountain 10 is for. You’re invited to show up just as you are, with your curiosity, your longing, your ambiguity.  You’ll find community, rhythm, and resources to break bold ideas into doable steps, supported every way along the journey.  You do not have to do it alone. What’s the best that could happen if you step into not knowing? Ready to Begin? You don’t have to know everything to start. You just have to begin. Take your next courageous step.  Curious? Intrigued? Longing for something more? Reach out today and let Mountain 10 meet you exactly where you are.  Email me info@empowerpossible.com, noting you are interested in learning more about Mountain 10, or scan the QR code below. Want to hear from a Mountain 10 participant? Check out the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/7pxFMcmRFBcJqUGH1bruOc Take care, dear reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine Founder, Empower Possible  Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription.

Empower Possible 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    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.

Kind Words from a  Client A special thanks to one of my clients for sharing a few kind words about her experience. In The Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media, I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  Thank you to Katy Murray from the GingerBiz podcast for the insightful conversation! Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of redefining your career goals? Take a listen to the podcast as we dive deep into strategies for setting clear objectives, staying focused, and pivoting effectively during times of transition. During the conversation, Katy and I share strategies for navigating transitions with confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset. From redefining goals to honing skills and networking effectively, this episode offers a direction for transforming challenges into triumphs when navigating career changes.  Listen to the full episode, https://lnkd.in/gvigadgA 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/

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.