New Moon Time & Why It's Not As "Woo-woo" As It Sounds

I was on a job interview recently, and the lovely woman conducting it, who was holding my resume with much of the information that's listed on my training page, said, "now I just have to ask, what is this Wild Woman thing?"

After explaining that it's a group of women who I gather with every month to center ourselves, journal, and set intentions for the month ahead, she visibly looked relieved that it was such a positive thing.

And I realized that talking about the new moon and wild women circles has some pre-conceived notions attached to it.  Dancing around a fire naked, chanting spells, and burning herbs comes to mind. While that sounds fun, that's not actually what I do in moon circles.  What happens in a circle is pretty normal. But it IS very powerful, in a good way. Since going to my first circle last summer, transformational change has happened in my life because I took time each month to sit still, listen in to what I truly want in my life, and set baby steps to focus on each month.

THAT'S what we do in circle. We take off the mask we might wear during our day to day. We sit together in unconditional support of exactly where we are and what we are feeling in that moment. We visualize the best and most beautiful versions of ourselves, living from a place that utilizes our full potential for good in the world. And we see and breathe for each other the goals and intentions and wishes and dreams we have for ourselves for the future.

And using the moon as our guide is perfectly natural. The moon shows us the passage of time. Going from new to waxing to full to waning to new again mirrors other life and death cycles in our natural and creative world. It also mirrors the emotional, physical, and hormonal changes women go through each month during our menstrual cycles. And the moon connects to the tides. Magnetically pulling things towards us, we can use this analogy in manifesting in our own lives by setting into motion our desires and attracting positive abundance to us.

Awesome news is that you don't need to be in circle to set new moon intentions! While it's more powerful to do it in communion with others, that shouldn't stop you from empowering yourself to make some great changes. If you are interested, here are some thoughts and prompts to get you started. Grab a journal if you like. Light a candle. Play some soft music. Take some deep breaths. Create a sacred, quiet moment for yourself. You are worth it. It doesn't have to be for long. Two minutes. Ten minutes. A half hour. Whatever feels right for you today.

The new moon is officially today, Monday (8/25), but you can do this any time in the next couple of days.

New Moon Points to Ponder: 
*What seeds do I want to consciously plant, with love and focused intention, for this next cycle?
*How can I more deeply rest, restore, and let go right now?
*What can I do in service to my body this month to give it sweet self-care?  What is it craving now?

And if you ARE interested in participating in a circle: look for one here. Happy New Moon!!

Sunflowers outside The Tipi Project, location of this month's moon circle.

The Tipi Project, Williamsburg, NY

My moon circle this month, lead by Meredith Edwards, was in The Tipi Project in Williamsburg.

Channeling my inner goddess at my moon circle!

Relationship Confession: Dating Gym

I've casually dated many Gyms over the years. Some were on again-off again relationships. Others were one or two dates and then never to see each other again. Freshman year of college, a Gym and I lived right across the street from each other and we only got friendly a HANDFUL of times the whole year! (Admittedly, Cafeteria and I were real tight.)

Knowing this past experience of being noncommittal and unavailable, I am proud to announce that I am in a very steady and serious relationship with Gym!

We started hanging out twice a week last October. It was nice. Flexible. We took it slow. I bought some new athletic shirts so I felt good about how I looked for our dates. We bonded while listening to up-tempo beats. Then in January, we upped the commitment to see each other for a couple hours three times a week. I got some valuable words of weights wisdom from my exercise-relationship coach, Daniel Buron (this guy is an expert on fostering a healthy Gym Relationship!  Follow him on Instagram: @daniel_buron). I even said the big L word..... I Love you, Gym!!

Like all relationships, we still have our ups and downs. Some nights, the LAST thing I want to do is hang out with Gym. Some days, I feel so exhausted and tired that all I want to do is be at home, by myself, put my comfys on, and lounge in bed. But on those days, I know Gym is waiting for me. Gym is counting on me. And at the end of the day, Gym ALWAYS makes me feel better. I may be totally NOT into Gym when I arrive, but by the time I'm stretching out on the mat, get into the zone, and we do our thang... I am glowing with gratitude for having made the commitment and follow through to go (okay, in all fairness, the glowing part is probably the sweat running down my body, but you get the gist that I'm taking creative liberties here...). Gym gives me strength, endorphins, grounded-ness, endurance, flexibility, many mirrors to check myself out in (ha!), and confidence. I hope we stay together for the long haul.

Point to Ponder: how's your relationship to exercise?  What areas are going really well and where might you like to see improvement?

Need some new ideas to reignite the spark?  Tips on how to go on a first date with the weights?  Or just want a little motivation for the day to day?  Hit me up!  I'm your gal!  helen.buron@gmail.com
 OR just keep an eye on the blog to get updates (subscribing link coming soon…)… I'm feeling the need for some fitness expert guest blogs up in here!

Shamelessly silly Friday Date Night selfie! 

The Choice Is Yours!

Wowza.  Doesn't this look a little overwhelming and intimidating? (And there's about four other shelves with diet and cooking books!)  Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, juicing, gluten-free, anti-inflammatory, ayurvedic, low carb, high protein, high fat, low fat...?

Where do we start and how do we wade through all of this information?

HINT: No diet is one size fits all.

Good news: your body knows. And I agree with part of that sign: "choose". Choose what works for you and what makes your body say "heck yes!"

HINT: it may be a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Instead of calling it a "diet", allow it to be a lifestyle.  What works for your body today might not work for you in ten years. Or even come winter time.

Second piece of good news: if you are still feeling overwhelmed, I'm your gal! Let me help you figure it out!  Hit me up: helen.buron@gmail.com

Peace Net: a tribute to Robin Williams & a vision for the world

Since learning of the passing of Robin Williams, I have been struggling to figure out how to express what I am feeling.  While I never knew him personally, I can barely look at social media without feeling great sadness for the loss of such a generous, creative being.

Evermore thanks for sharing your gifts and your life.  You have touched many and will be missed dearly.

The beauty in duality of being human is that with the inherent capacity to hold so much joy and light there is also the space to hold equal amounts of sorrow and shadow.  I know all too well how to put on a cheerful, light-hearted face when in reality there is much darkness underneath.  Robin Williams, thank you for reminding me, and reminding many, to reach out before your soul feels like it's too heavy or too hopeless to go on. 

The centering thought for my meditation this morning (I'm participating in Deepak and Oprah's 21-Day Meditation, which you can join here for free) was I am peace….Shanti hum.  I felt called to not only feel this for myself, but to dedicate my practice to Robin and all those who have been touched by the effects of depression.  And, while I meditated, I had a vision of peace.  All of us, everywhere in the world, being connected by our hearts with the strength and calm of peace.  I am peace.  You are peace.  We all are peace.  Connected.  Connected from the center of our peaceful hearts as if we were creating a peace net.  A net that could catch the ones who have lost their grip and just need to be bounced and supported and held in the peace net until they can again find their own light.  A net that is strong and supported by those who can feel that peace for others, knowing that when it's their turn to be caught, it will be there for them in their time of darkness.

So that is my prayer.  My hope.  My vision.  My deepest wish.  That we, the world, create a space of peace that cradles and honors the duality of being human.  Joy.  Light.  Sorrow.  Dark. Peace.