What Would You Need to Release to Move Toward What's Next?

 

September 8, 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!

What Would You Need to Release to Move Toward What's Next? Photo from a bike ride over the summer. We biked along the shores of Lake Superior. Dear Empowered Reader, Our summer travel officially ended this week. Chuck and I got back, and the last stretch of any trip always has the same ritual: unpacking the car and sorting everything into two piles. What comes back into regular rotation. What goes into storage until next summer. It sounds simple. It never is. There's a camp chair with a broken zipper pocket I kept meaning to fix over the summer. A cooler we don't strictly need, we've got a better one at home, that I still couldn't quite talk myself into replacing, because it's the one that's always come along on our summer trips. That's the part that gets me every year, trip after trip. It's not that the chair is particularly special or that the cooler is better than others. It's that we've already grown attached to them. And somehow that alone makes them harder to let go of than their actual worth would justify. There's a famous set of studies behind that feeling, and it has nothing to do with camp chairs. Economists Daniel Kahneman, Jack Knetsch, and Richard Thaler ran an experiment in the late 1980s where they handed half a room a coffee mug and asked what they'd sell it for. The other half, empty-handed, were asked what they'd pay for the same mug. Classical economics says those two numbers should land close together; a mug is a mug. They didn't. The people holding the mug wanted roughly twice as much to give it up as the people without one were willing to pay to get it. They called it the endowment effect: the moment something becomes ours a possession, a role, a way of doing things, a version of ourselves- we attach a value to it that has almost nothing to do with what it's actually worth to us going forward. It sits on top of an older finding from Kahneman's work with Amos Tversky: losses simply weigh more than equivalent gains. Giving something up feels like more than the thing is worth, purely because giving it up is what's on the table. I think about this constantly in my work with leaders moving through change. A title, a way a team has always operated, a program someone built from scratch five years ago- none of it gets evaluated on its current usefulness. It gets defended because it's theirs. Not because it's still serving them. What the endowment effect doesn't fully explain, though: why does releasing something we chose to release still feel like a loss? Family therapist Pauline Boss spent her career studying what she called ambiguous loss (thanks to a friend for introducing me to her): grief with no clear ending, the kind that shows up when someone is physically present but psychologically gone, or physically gone with no resolution. She developed the concept working with families of the missing and families living with dementia. But the framework has become one of the most useful lenses for something much more common: the grief embedded in ordinary transitions we actually wanted. When you leave a role, a version of yourself doesn't die cleanly. It doesn't get a funeral. It just becomes unreachable, still vivid in memory, no longer available to you. That's ambiguous loss. There's no ritual for grieving a job you were glad to leave, an identity you outgrew on purpose, a relationship that changed shape instead of ending outright. So the grief goes unnamed, and unnamed grief tends to show up sideways, as second-guessing, as nostalgia you can't explain, as a strange heaviness on a day that should feel like relief. Our trusty red cooler has traveled many miles..... Chosen change is still change. And change, even the kind you're proud of, involves mourning something real. This is exactly the terrain of "letting go", the second stage in the Mountain 10 process. It's also the stage almost every team I work with tries to skip. Leaders want to move straight from awareness to vision, straight from "we need to change" to "here's the new structure," without ever naming what's actually being given up. But the endowment effect doesn't disappear because you didn't name it. It just makes the new structure harder to fully occupy, because part of the team is still quietly holding the old one. Naming what's being released, out loud, specifically, is often what makes room for the next thing to actually take hold. Not skipping past the loss. Moving through it on purpose. Just like a sunset bridges day into night, so do the September days bridge summer into fall. Affirmation "I can grieve what I'm releasing and still be certain I'm releasing it for good reason. Both things are true at once." A Seasonal Practice Take inventory before you release. Before letting go of a role, belief, or way of operating, name specifically what it gave you, not just what's wrong with it. You can't release something honestly until you've named its real value, endowment effect and all. Separate the object from the ownership. Ask: is this still useful to me, or am I only holding onto it because it's already mine? The camp chair test works on roles and routines too. Let the grief be small and real. You don't need a full ritual for every loss. A sentence is enough: "I'm letting go of X, and part of me will miss it." Naming it costs you less than carrying it unnamed. Notice what's asking to loosen. Not everything needs to go. Some things just need a looser grip, a belief you can hold more lightly, a role you can occupy differently instead of abandoning. Reflection Questions What are you holding onto right now mostly because it's already yours, not because it's still serving you? Where have you skipped the grief in a change you know was right? If you let yourself mourn it for one sentence, what would that sentence say? Until next time, release what's ready, grieve what's real, and let fall find you a little lighter than summer did. Julie Sources: Kahneman, D., Knetsch, J.L., & Thaler, R.H., "Experimental Tests of the Endowment Effect and the Coase Theorem," Journal of Political Economy, 1990; Kahneman, D. & Tversky, A., "Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk," Econometrica, 1979; Boss, P., Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief (1999) and Loss, Trauma, and Resilience (2006). Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. The Quiet Kind of Brave We do not roar, we do not shout When grief becomes our guest. We simply wake and take a breath With sorrow in our chest. The quiet kind of brave it is— To smile with trembling lips, To hold the coffee, feed the cat, With hands that shake and slip. And yet we do it, day by day,..... Read the rest at, https://trustedmemorialplanners.com/post/inspirational-poems-about-grief

In the Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? In addition to posting on my own social media, I collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  Thank you, Voyager Minnesota, for your article, https://voyageminnesota.com/interview/story-lesson-highlights-with-julie-zaruba-fountaine-of-metro-area-highlight/ Upcoming Events Leading Change When Nobody is Looking When: September 17, 2026  Where: St. Paul, MN What: Panelists will share real stories about leading through uncertainty, influencing without formal authority, working with limited resources, and helping people move forward when conditions are far from perfect. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for building momentum before buy-in exists, creating progress amid constraints, and sustaining change when the path forward is still taking shape. Discover more by clicking here. Luminary Conference Presentation When: September 25, 2026 Where: Rochester, MN  What: I am thrilled to be taking the stage at the upcoming Luminary Conference! I will be sharing actionable frameworks on sustainable leadership, thriving through large-scale organizational transitions, and shifting workplace cultures from a state of survival and overwhelm into a space of abundance and clarity. To learn more, click here. Wisdom of Winter Retreat When: February 25 to 28 2027 Where: True North Resort, Nisswa, MN What: In partnership with Art of Presence and Taylor and Co., Empower Possible is hosting a winter retreat. Surrounded by peaceful lake views, snow-covered forests, and the quiet beauty of winter, this retreat is designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and restore. Come as you are. Leave feeling rested, grounded, and renewed. Learn more: https://taylorandcoapothecary.com/2027-nisswa-retreat/  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. For a Mountain 10 experience, join the Wisdom of Winter Retreat. Can't make it to the Wisdom of Winter Retreat? Join the waitlist. Click HERE 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.

Start Feeling Better Now

 

September 30, 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 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!

R.A.I.N. Dear Empowered Reader, A few weeks ago I was preparing for a presentation and that familiar wave of anxiety started to creep in. Those nagging voices – "Is this enough," the "should'ves," and "would'ves" were hard to tune out. Time was ticking, and doubt was playing its part too, drowning out my inner strength. Just when I thought there was nothing I could do, something interesting happened. Raindrops started pattering against my window.  The soothing sound of rain invited me to pause and listen to a quieter inner voice saying, "Slow down, take it easy, be present." And then, I remembered a different kind of "RAIN" – a practice crafted by mindfulness teacher Michele McDonald over two decades ago. It's designed to help us face life's challenges and emotions in a more constructive way. McDonald coined the acronym R.A.I.N., which stands for "Recognition" of what's happening, "Acceptance" of the experience, "Interest" in understanding it, and "Non-Identification" to detach from it. Tara Brach, another mindfulness expert, has added her touch by changing the "N" to include "Nurture," emphasizing compassion in the process. Here's a detailed breakdown of the mindful R.A.I.N. practice I used that rainy day. It helped me tackle my tough thoughts and emotions and showed me a more authentic and resourceful way to deal with them.  Note that you can use this R.A.I.N. practice during formal meditation or whenever you're faced with intense emotions or overwhelming thoughts. R.A.I.N.: A Mindfulness Practice for Navigating Life’s Challenges Whether you're practicing R.A.I.N. formally or informally, start by easing into your body. Feel your feet on the ground, connect with the earth, and let go of tension. Take a few deep breaths and tune into your body's natural rhythm. R – Recognize:  Acknowledge what's happening without judgment. Shine a light on your suffering instead of pushing it away or reacting impulsively. Simply note what's on your mind. Example: "I'm feeling anxious right now." A – Accept or Allow:  Let the emotion and experience be as they are. Allowing isn't passivity but a brave willingness to embrace what's there. Pause amid strong emotions and create room for care. Example: "It's okay to feel this way." I – Investigate:  Explore how the emotion manifests in your body, mind, and heart. Without overthinking, observe how emotions change and flow. Emotions often carry wisdom. Example: "Where do I feel this anxiety in my body?" N – Nurture and Non-Identification:  Start the process of letting go. By holding emotions in mindful awareness, you realize you aren't defined by them. Humility helps us acknowledge our vulnerability and resilience. Example: Offer yourself kindness, like comforting words or placing a hand on your heart. Then, extend that compassion to others. After R.A.I.N., take a moment to appreciate your presence and rest in the space of awareness. You can journal your experience or share it with a trusted friend. When dealing with challenging emotions, remember, you're not alone. Seek support from friends, family, or professionals. We all need each other for guidance and growth. So, next time life's challenges pour down like rain, try a little R.A.I.N. You might find it helps you weather the storm a bit more gracefully. How can you apply the R.A.I.N. mindfulness practice in your own life? Reflect on specific situations where recognizing, accepting, investigating, nurturing, and non-identifying your emotions could make a positive difference in how you respond to challenges. What are some common triggers for your challenging emotions, and how might you use the R.A.I.N. practice to navigate them effectively? Take a moment to identify recurring situations or thoughts that often lead to strong emotions. Consider how practicing R.A.I.N. could help you handle these triggers in a more mindful way. Have you reached out for support during challenging times, or do you tend to handle things on your own? Reflect on your own support network and how comfortable you are seeking help when facing difficult emotions or situations. Are there steps you can take to lean on others for support and guidance? Additional resources: In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10) I would like to revisit a conversation I had on the You Need a Counselor Podcast. To listen to the episode click HERE. Take care, dear reader, Julie Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. To Persist Author Unknown one teaspoon at a time, the rain turns mountains into valleys

In the Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  I was recently on, Not Just A Daydream with Kristi WinfreeIn this episode we covered a lot of topics including: * Recognizing and honoring the multidimensional aspects of your identity outside your job. * Seeing the impact of living in alignment with your core values. * Harnessing your personal power to shape the path to your future. To listen click here. 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    1) October: Better Together Series. Integrative Health and Well-being for Practitioners Series hosted in partnership with the University of Minnesota. 2) October 10, 6-7 pm CST, Turn the Tide: How to Thrive as a Business Owner,  Discover how to establish work-life harmony, set boundaries, and implement self-care practices that enhance your overall health and fulfillment. Get ready to turn the tide in your entrepreneurial journey. Learn and practice the tools you need to maximize your potential, thrive amidst challenges, and create a sustainable, successful business that aligns with your values and aspirations. Free Webinar To register go to https://www.successfulbusiness.org/event/501430034/turn-the-tide-how-to-thrive-as-a-business-owner  3) October Coffee Chat: Freedom From the Clock   4) Winter 2024 New Course, Career Crossroads Launch Stay Tuned for Details!

Why Yoga Can't Cure Burnout

 

September 11, 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 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!

Recap: Why Yoga Can't Cure Burnout Dear Empowered Reader, As we transition into Fall, it's a great time to consider turning over a new leaf and developing a fresh perspective on well-being.  Are you struggling to overcome burnout despite focusing on your well-being?  In this special edition of the Empower Possible newsletter, we explore the  article titled "Why Yoga Won't Cure Burnout“ by Kathleen Schulz. I practice yoga on a daily basis and believe individual well-being practices are an essential part of life (I am more than a little biased) AND individual well-being practices are not enough to overcome systemic issues. This newsletter looks to explore this topic utilizing yoga to represent individual responses to burnout recognizing yoga for one person might be meditation for another or spending time in nature. While these are all part of well-being  these practices along ”can’t cure burnout”. Let's review the article's key takeaways. Understanding Burnout: Looking Beyond the Surface The article begins by addressing the common misconception that yoga is a cure-all for burnout. While yoga undoubtedly offers several physical and mental benefits, burnout is a complex issue that requires more than one practice to address. Burnout is not just about exhaustion; it involves emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a sense of inefficacy. The Limitations of a Single Solution Yoga has gained immense popularity as a mind-body practice that can alleviate stress and promote relaxation. However, this article highlights that relying solely on yoga to address burnout oversimplifies the complexity of the condition. Burnout stems from various factors, including workplace culture, societal pressures, and personal expectations. Therefore, a holistic approach to well-being involves a combination of strategies, including self-care, therapy, organizational changes, and more. The Role of Mindfulness and Intentionality Mindfulness, often integrated with yoga, can indeed contribute to well-being. The article emphasizes that practicing mindfulness and intentionality can empower individuals to navigate burnout more effectively. Being present, cultivating self-awareness, and making conscious choices about one's priorities can all play a significant role in preventing and managing burnout. It's not just about practicing yoga; it's about incorporating mindfulness into every aspect of life. Building a Resilient Foundation Resilience is a crucial component of addressing burnout. The article suggests that focusing on building resilience is more effective than seeking a single solution like yoga. Resilience involves developing the ability to adapt to stressors, maintain a sense of purpose, and bounce back from challenges. This can be achieved through a combination of practices, including mindfulness, cognitive reframing, seeking support, and maintaining healthy boundaries. Creating Lasting Change The article concludes by emphasizing that addressing burnout requires systemic change. While individual practices like yoga and mindfulness are valuable tools, they are most effective when accompanied by changes in workplace culture, societal expectations, and personal boundaries. It's a collective effort that involves individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. For more about lasting change check out a previous newsletter about reclaiming your power. Click HERE. Moving Forward Together As we reflect on the insights from "Why Yoga Won't Cure Burnout“,  let's remember that well-being requires a multifaceted approach. Yoga and mindfulness certainly have their place in promoting wellness, but they are just one aspect of the puzzle. By embracing mindfulness, building resilience, and advocating for broader changes, we can create an environment where burnout is less likely to occur. This is not to say you are to discontinue your well-being practices please DO NOT do this but instead if your well-being practices are not improving your well-being it might be time to think about the systems in place that may be impacting your well-being. Reflection Questions 1. How might our expectations about yoga's (or other well-being practices) effectiveness in curing burnout influence our overall approach to managing our well-being? 2. What are some potential limitations of relying solely on a single solution to address burnout, and how might a more holistic approach better address the complex factors contributing to burnout? 3.  What is one step you can take today to nurture your own well-being? ( It may be practicing yoga for 30 minutes) To read the full article, please visit https://on24static.akamaized.net/event/38/77/70/8/rt/1/documents/resourceList1662480977755/yogawontcureburnout1662480976622.pdf.  What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts about the article, well-being, or anything else on your mind! Please email me, info@empowerpossible.com Thank you for your readership and for being a part of the EMPOWER Possible community. Let's continue to learn, grow, and support each other on our holistic well-being journey.  Together we can regenerate our world, Julie Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Today, let's take a moment to remember the tragic events of that day.  On this day of reflection, we honor the lives lost and the heroes who emerged amidst adversity.  Let us stand united in fostering a world where compassion and understanding prevail, ensuring that such acts of violence never define us. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. You Need Help But Not From Us': A Poem on Burnout by Rita Agarwal, MD  Teacher of the year, again Research publications, galore. Honors, accolades, committees Leadership positions, ad nauseum Excellence in clinical care Best Lecture, best lecturer, best doctor, best teacher. “Hey, I know you’re not on call, but can you…? ”“Hey, I know you’re off but could you ……?” “Hey, I know you’re in clinic but …..? ”Can you? Will you? Could you, help me? Three marathons lead to a bad hip. Successful surgery complicated by a fall. More surgery, then pus from the wound MRSA (of course)Aseptic meningitis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, superior venous thrombosis, Surgery again, again, and again “Hey, I know you’re sick but can you….?” “I know you don’t feel good but will you….?” “I know you’re recovering, but I need…….” Can you? Will you? Could you, help me? 80 hours a week for residents, Faculty just have to work harder. “Step up to plate, man. What is wrong with you?” “Hey, we’re short, everyone is working hard” “Try harder, work harder, what is wrong with you?" "100, 120, 140 hours a week….“ We paged you for hours, where were you?” “You were falling asleep writing notes” “Your EBL was way off” “One more mistake and you’re out”. “You need help…but not from us”. Depressed, defeated, desperate, humiliated, disgusted, drinking, “Do something. See someone." “Get help” “You were late, you left early, you’re not trying” “You were rude, your documentation is terrible, why aren’t you trying?” “You’re OUT” You Are OUT BURNED OUT

In the Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs. This week I am going to throw back to the Empowered Heart to Heart Podcast as it is relevant to this topic I hTh I chatted with Rhonda Simmons about personal mission statements, listening to your true voice, and claiming your power. To listen HERE  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    1) September 27th, Midwest Health Promotion Conference: Weaving a Web of Wellness  Presenting on the topic of Care Champions. To Register go to Health Source Solutions 2) September 30th, Mindfulness Moment. Dream Up! Conference. 3) September/October: Better Together Series. Integrative Health and Well-being for Practitioners Series hosted in partnership with the University of Minnesota. 3) October, New Course, Career Crossroads Launch Stay Tuned for Details! 4) October, MNSOPHE Conference, more details to come!

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible 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