The Power of Our Words - Words Matter

The Power of Our Words – Words Matter

The Power of Our Words – Words Matter

Happy Spring! The weather here in the District is warming up and the first tulips have made their appearance. And ooh, la, la…the famous Cherry Blossoms are only days away from blooming!

Can you believe we’re already heading into Q 2 of 2025? It’s a great time to check in on your yearly goals—what’s working, what needs adjusting, and where you can refocus.

Small shifts now can make a big difference by the end of the year!

One area that’s been on my mind lately is the power of our words– how they shape our relationships, influence our mindset, and even define our paths.

That’s exactly what I explore in this week’s podcast episode, Your Words Matter: Do They Lift or Limit?, where I dive into why the way we speak -to ourselves and others- matters more than we realize.

If you’re looking for a little encouragement or a mindset shift, give it a listen.

And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And here’s something else to consider…

Sometimes, the reason a dream feels stuck isn’t because it’s the wrong dream—but because we’re waiting for the perfect opportunity to move forward.

Yesterday’s episode: Are You Missing Your Lucky Break? Because what if the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for is actually already in front of you?

Listen now:

Whatever season you’re in, just know this:

Moving on doesn’t mean failure.

And holding on doesn’t always mean success.

The key is knowing the difference.

DC-WWII-dream

Still waiting on that dream to happen?

Still waiting on that dream to happen?

You started with so much excitement. The dream, the goal, the project—it felt right. But somewhere along the way, things started dragging on. The momentum stalled, and now you’re wondering…

Is this still worth pursuing? Or is it time to let go?

The truth is, not every unfinished dream is meant to be finished. Sometimes, holding on is what’s keeping you stuck. Other times, you’re just one shift away from breaking through.

But how do you know?

That’s exactly what I’m unpacking in this week’s episode of Catching Sunshine: Unfinished Dreams—Is It Quitting or Just a Pivot?

Listen here:

And here’s something else to consider…

Sometimes, the reason a dream feels stuck isn’t because it’s the wrong dream—but because we’re waiting for the perfect opportunity to move forward.

Yesterday’s episode: Are You Missing Your Lucky Break? Because what if the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for is actually already in front of you?

Listen now:

Whatever season you’re in, just know this:

Moving on doesn’t mean failure.

And holding on doesn’t always mean success.

The key is knowing the difference.

Woo-woo energy healing

How Woo-Woo is too Woo for YOU?

How Woo-Woo is too Woo for YOU?

Energy Healing tends to spark curiosity… or raise eyebrows.

Some people hear about it and think it sounds fascinating. Others assume it’s a little too out there.

But here’s what I’ve learned after years of doing this work: Once people experience it, they get it.

Because energy healing isn’t about waving your hands and hoping for magic—it’s about clearing out the emotional, mental, and energetic clutter that weighs us down. It’s like untangling a necklace—the knots release in the right order, making everything flow more smoothly.

And whether we realize it or not, we’re all working with energy all the time. Our thoughts, emotions, stress levels—they all carry energy that affects how we feel and function.

I talk about all this in my latest Catching Sunshine podcast episode, “How Woo-Woo is Too Woo For You?”

In it, I break down:

  • What energy healing actually is (and what it isn’t)
  • Why it’s not as “out there” as people assume
  • The science and simplicity behind it
  • How energy healing can support you—even if you’re skeptical

You can listen below.

And after you listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know what resonated with you.

Saying No Without The Guilt

Saying No Without the Guilt (And Why It’s a Game-Changer)

Saying No Without the Guilt (And Why It’s a Game-Changer)

You know that feeling when you say yes to something… and immediately regret it? Maybe it’s an event, a commitment, or even just responding to a text when you really wanted to unplug.

Why is it so hard to say no?

For most of us, it’s because we don’t want to disappoint, miss out, or seem rude. But here’s the thing—every time we say yes to something that doesn’t align, we’re also saying no to something that might matter more.

No to rest.
No to creativity.
No to that quiet space where we actually hear our own thoughts.

What if we flipped it? Instead of seeing no as shutting a door, what if we saw it as opening the right one?

This week on Catching Sunshine, I’m diving into this idea—how to say no with confidence (and zero guilt), why it actually makes life better, and a few simple ways to make decisions easier.

So if you’ve ever struggled with overcommitting, feeling stuck in the “I should do this” cycle, or just want to reclaim your time and energy—this episode is for you.

​Give it a listen: Moving from FOMO to JOMO, and feel free to reply and let me know: what’s something you’re saying no to this week so you can say a bigger YES to something better?

Goal-setting Advice

The best goal-setting advice I ever received (and still use)

The best goal-setting advice I ever received (and still use)

Mid-January already—that was fast. This new year has brought its share of challenges, especially with the fires in California. My heart goes out to everyone whose lives have been impacted by this devastation.

My son Sinjin and his young family live near the fire zones, and while they’re safe, my daughter-in-law still needs to make regular trips toward those areas for her check-ins at the City of Hope. Thank you to those who’ve asked about her—I’m happy to share that she’s doing very well, and we’re incredibly grateful for that!

As I think about the year ahead, I’m reminded of some of the best, yet simple advice I’ve ever received: put YOUR time off on the blank calendar first. Whether it’s vacations, weekend getaways, or even a simple day to yourself, if you don’t plan it, it’s too easy to let life fill every available space. Which is what happened to me for many years, and why I love this “no duh” advice so much!

Here are two additional ideas you might not have considered for your goals list this year:

1. Get curious about something new.

Pick one new thing to try—not because you need to be good at it, but because it sparks your interest.

Whether it’s learning to make sourdough bread, painting, photography, learning a new language, or even stargazing, curiosity keeps life vibrant and exciting.

This past year I’ve been taking an AI art class that I’m loving!

Way outside my usual wheelhouse? Yes!

Enjoying the learning curve? Absolutely!

What’s something you’ve always wanted to try, just for the joy of it?

Give yourself permission to dive in and learn as you go.

2. Energy alignment as a habit.

Make space for regular check-ins with your mind, body, and spirit.

This could mean practicing mindfulness, journaling, or even booking a session with me to start the year with clarity and purpose.

I still have a few session spots available in January for personal SimplyAlign energy sessions via phone or Zoom.

​Click here to schedule your SimplyAlign session

Catching Sunshine Podcast

On the Catching Sunshine Podcast this week: Myth Busting~That quote about doing everything the same, let’s get real!

Ever had that famous quote “how you do anything is how you do everything” thrown at you? This week’s episode might just flip everything you thought you knew about it on its head – in the most freeing way possible.

​Join me for a fun, fresh take on this overused phrase!

Daily Affirmations

Daily Affirmations for a Meaningful Year

Daily Affirmations for a Meaningful Year

While many are rushing to transform their lives overnight, I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind:

January isn’t just about dramatic changes – it’s about thoughtful beginnings.

Think of this month as your chance to quietly observe what truly matters to you, rather than getting swept up in the “new year, new you” whirlwind.

What if we approached this year not as a sprint to change everything, but as an invitation to build on what’s already working?

After all, you may not need to reinvent the wheel – just give it a little extra spin in the right direction.

This week, I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve already come.

Here’s something simple to start with:
​Jot down three things you’re proud of from 2024 – big or small – before thinking about what’s next.

If you’re ready to take those strengths and align your energy with your 2025 intentions, I’d love to support you. Schedule a SimplyAlign energy healing session here.

Daily Affirmations for a Meaningful 2025:

1. I move forward with purpose, knowing that small steps create lasting change.

2. I trust my own pace and celebrate progress in all its forms.

3. My experience and wisdom from past years guide me into this new chapter.

4. I choose to focus on what energizes me, letting go of what depletes me.

5. I am building habits that serve my wellbeing, one choice at a time.

6. I embrace both my achievements and my lessons with equal gratitude.

7. My journey is uniquely mine – I define success on my own terms.

8. I approach each day as a fresh opportunity to align my actions with my values.

Finding light in tough times

Finding Light in Tough Times

Finding Light in Tough Times

I don’t know about you but I’ve been watching oh so many videos of the damage by Hurricane Helene these past few days. Its impact on our southeastern states here in the US is so devastating and my heart goes out to all those who have lost so much.

Though it’s hard to watch, it’s also heartening to witness the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in action. I’ve been seeing incredible stories of courageous people stepping up to help their neighbors—some by huge means, offering their own money, helicopters, trucks and tractors. Many others providing food, water, and comfort when it’s needed most. These acts of kindness, whether big or small, show us the goodness that exists when people serve together, and the light we can share even in such difficult times.

I remember many years ago a client of mine from New Orleans who had lived through hurricane Katrina (2005), told me that one of those difficult days in the aftermath of the hurricane, some people from my church had come to the door of her mud-filled home and brought her a pillow. A pillow! A small act of kindness that she says she’ll never forget. She was so thrilled to have a new pillow after losing nearly everything. I’ve thought about that so many times through the years and how one small, thoughtful act can make a huge difference for someone else. I’ve especially thought of that every night this week as I feel so fortunate to get to sleep with my head on a soft pillow.

My client’s story and her gratitude are powerful reminders that we can always make a difference big or small. If you’re able to help – whether through donations or offering prayers – every act of generosity has a meaningful impact.

Increase Self Worth

8 Practical Things You Can Do Now To Increase Self Worth

8 Practical Things You Can Do Now To Increase Self Worth

This week, I’m excited to share a special guest post from Miriam Bross, an inspiring coach from Portugal who teaches about emotional intelligence. Miriam’s post resonated with me, and I think you’ll love what she has to say.

She’s sharing 8 simple, yet powerful, ways to cultivate a stronger sense of self-worth—practices she’s been using herself over the past few months. Enjoy!

I wanted to share a few practices I’ve been doing these past few months to increase my sense of self-worth.

1. Decide that you are worthy. If you don’t believe it yet, that’s ok. Beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking and we can change that any time. Decide that you will change this belief.

2. Every time you have a good idea, say “I’m so smart!”, “This is brilliant! I always have such great ideas!”, and/or “I’m a genius!” Even if it feels a bit strange or over the top at first keep going. After a while the thoughts become automatic.

3. When you remember something you forgot, focus on the remembering. Instead of “How could I forget?!” Say or think “It’s so great I remembered!!”

4. Praise yourself every time you do something well. If you already keep a list of things that go well in your life and business every day, add one or several points to it of things that YOU did well that day!

5. Tell yourself that you love yourself at least once a day. If possible in front of a mirror, but if not at first, just in general.

6. Every time you see something amazingly beautiful or when nature puts on a show (like swallows flying in a formation worthy of a top gun movie) say or think: “This is for me. It’s all for me.” Take a few breaths and let it sink in.

7. If you notice that these sentences trigger worry or fear, that’s ok. This response is just a bad habit. Nothing more or less. No biggie. Distract yourself as quickly as possible by focusing on something completely different.

8. And most importantly, repeat, repeat, repeat because beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking and we all deserve to belief in our worth.

Thanks goes to Miriam at: https://ei-forlife.com/ for letting me share her insights.

Positive Vibes Playbook

Master the art of affirmations!

Master the art of affirmations!

I’ve got a little surprise for you today that I think you’re going to love. It’s called the “Positive Vibes Playbook: Your ultimate guide to crafting affirmations that work!”

I’m often asked questions about affirmations. Like, “How do I come up them?” or “What’s the best way to use them?” Well, I listened and thought, “Why not create a resource that answers all these questions in one place?” And that’s exactly what this playbook is.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know about creating and using affirmations that truly resonate with you. I’ve poured my best tips, tricks, and strategies into this guide to help you harness the power of positive self-talk.

Sign up to my email list below and I’ll send it to you as a free bonus.

Download it, open it up, and start crafting some life-changing affirmations!

Shine On my friend,
Carolyn

How to be miserable

Need a Fun Summer Read?

Need a Fun Summer Read?

Are you on the hunt for a fun and insightful book to dive into this summer? Something with a great message but not too heavy? I’ve got just the pick for you, it’s one of my favorite books: How to Be Miserable by psychologist Randy Paterson. This tongue-in-cheek book takes a refreshingly unique approach by showcasing 40 specific behaviors and habits that are guaranteed to lead to unhappiness. But, – when you flip these habits on their head, you might just find yourself among the happiest peeps around!

Now, we all know the drill with self-help books (I love them!), they can often promise love, happiness, and the ideal life. But How to Be Miserable flips the script.

It’s all about identifying those pesky actions and mindsets that can drag us down. You know the ones – when we’re feeling blue, and our instincts push us to focus on the negative, dwell on things we can’t change, isolate ourselves, munch on junk food, or stay up way too late. Ring a bell?

This clever and humorous guide helps you spot those behaviors that are making you unhappy and shines a light on how you might be holding yourself back from living your best life. You’ll learn to recognize the classic traps that ramp up dissatisfaction, zap your motivation, and lower your quality of life – and, more importantly, how to dodge them.

It will definitely guide you toward the life you truly want and help you steer clear of the one you don’t! And give you some chuckles along the way.

Happy reading, friend ~ let me know how you like it!

How to be miserable