Happy 2026 to all who find this note.  As I have been reflecting on the year we just closed, I can definitely say that it held a lot of intense energy and for me; it held some incredible growth.

Following on my January theme of choosing words for the year, my words for 2025 were Reimagining, Renewal and Rhythm. I can say without hesitation that all these themes were very active in my life.

I began my year with a solo retreat to Costa Rica.  I have been curious to explore this country for some time as I have numerous friends and acquaintances who have enjoyed it immensely. There was a very tempting retreat happening that I carefully considered and then had a complete 360 turn and decided to do a solo retreat instead.

For those who know me, this was a huge leap to justify for myself however as part of reimagining my life, I chose to jump all in.  It was absolutely perfect in more ways than I expected. I was:

• Deeply nourished by all the personal interactions and services
• I was held and guided by a trusted friend and leader
• I experienced doing yoga and breathwork outside surrounded by the chant of birds and monkeys and wind blowing in the trees. Such a symphony.
• I walked the beach and sat in rushing mountain streams and swimming ponds.
• I ate the most delicious fresh fruits that seriously ruined my enjoyment of them at home.
• I came home more refreshed and centered in my being ready to move forward with new projects.

In that light I enlisted the support of a social media specialist to help me market my upcoming Enneagram Relationship day scheduled for April and signed up with a business coach to embark on a 3 month Transformation Package for my business. That was a profound journey that resulted in reformatting my website, creating a new reiki package offering, launching a new pilot Reiki Voice Activiation workshop as well as planning regular Personal Exploration days for me through the summer and fall to make sure I enjoyed the seasons.

Through the relationship with my business coach, another opportunity came up to apply as a co-author of an upcoming book on Redefining Success. I did and I am part of that collaboration that is unfolding as I write this.  It is stretching me in so many ways yet it feels exhilarating at the same time.  Watch for more information on this to come up as the book nears it’s launch in the spring.

In June we welcomed our Usui Reiki lineage bearer Johannes Reindl and Master Joyce Winnough who led a week long reiki masters retreat. It was held at the beautiful Loretto Maryholme Retreat Centre on the lake.  It was Johannes who planted the seed for my reiki voice activation program and the pilot was held in August.  It was a wonderful day and with the feedback I received, there will be more offered next year.

On a personal note, my husband and I installed an above ground pool that fulfilled a lifelong desire for me on our beautiful rural property.  It was the perfect heatwave summer in Ontario to have the pool to cool down in.

I completed 2 rounds of an online health program called The Vitality Collective led by Dr. Kevin Preston. Many beautiful insights were discovered through this contemplative series and my body became stronger.

I also stepped into another lifelong dream in my singing hobby by forming a quartet.  We have had the best time together and are learning a lot too.  We are excited to create new ways of enjoying our love of music together in 2026.

With all my activity, I have not yet completed my process of determining my actual 2026 Words. I do know they will include:

Live Free and Be Me.

Looking back, 2025 was a year of letting go of old thought patterns that held me back from reimagining what could be possible. As a Nine year in numerology, it fit right in with completion.  As we step into this One year of new beginnings, I am in a better position to continue to let go what no longer fits and put my energy into all the new projects that have started and welcome those that are waiting to be explored.

I have signed up for the first section of Richard Rudd’s 3 month Golden Path online retreat to support me with the changes ahead.

As I close, I wish to acknowledge and thank those who have been part of this past extraordinary year:

• Dr. Laura Foster @drlaurafoster – Retreat and Breathwork Leader
• Amanda Wilson-Ciocci @themonarchandco – Business Coach, Publishing House
• Brittany Miller @brittanymillersocials – Social Media Genius
• Lora Groves  @hummingbirdmedia.ca – My Web Magician
• Shirlee Williams  @shirleewilliamsliving – Online Yoga Studio
• Johannes Reindl @johannesreindlusuishikiryoho – Usui Reiki Lineage Bearer
• Dr. Kevin Preston @drkevinpreston – Doctor of TCM and visionary for The New Human events.

I wish for each of you reading this and beyond, everything you need to make beautiful shifts in the year ahead. May we all remember to bring loving kindness and patience to ourselves and others. Cheers to a magical year of the Fire Horse.