Finding Authenticity: Two Names, One Person

Recently, I discovered that I could publish under a pen name: Free Ocean Spirit. What surprised me was not the name itself, but the freedom it gave me to create—and the realization that the professional, creative, analytical and reflective parts of me were never separate people to begin with.

Arguing With the Day – Impatience and Acceptance

Nothing went smoothly all day — disappeared files, a wrong turn, keys in the recycling bin — and then I sat in Friday traffic on a drive I had chosen, arguing with its conditions. A reflection on impatience, acceptance, and patience as a capacity that expands and contracts rather than a trait we either have or lack.

How We Drift From Ourselves Under Pressure

We don't leave ourselves all at once. We drift — one pressured decision at a time — until a feeling quietly becomes the whole story of who we are. This week on Reflections, a quiet drive through Vermont and what it reminded me about coming home to myself. The question I came back with: who is the version of yourself you've stopped visiting?

Before You Walk Into the Room

She had prepared for this conversation. She knew the numbers. She knew the counterarguments. She had rehearsed her position the night before and felt clear about it. By the time she walked into that boardroom, she had already been in three meetings. She had also fielded a client escalation and skipped lunch. The room was… Continue reading Before You Walk Into the Room

You are not bad at handling pressure. Your nervous system just never got the memo.

It was a great session. Insightful. One of those conversations where you can feel the shift happening in real time. I felt good — like I had genuinely helped guide my client to something insightful. I teach people how to pause before reacting. I help people identify their inner bugaboos (we could call them deeply… Continue reading You are not bad at handling pressure. Your nervous system just never got the memo.

Calm Isn’t a Personality Trait, It’s a Nervous System Skill

I discuss how our nervous systems react to stress and the misconception that calmness is an innate trait. It emphasizes that calmness is a skill that can be learned through practices like deep breathing and meditation. By regulating the nervous system, individuals can create a safe space for calmness and clarity.

The Power of Monthly Themes for Personal Growth

Explore a gentler approach to personal growth—one intentional theme each month instead of multiple resolutions at once. Rooted in rest, reflection, and mindfulness, this piece introduces a 12-Month Intentions Journal that supports meaningful, sustainable change through presence, self-awareness, and focused attention.