Today, I’m changing it up a little bit by pulling a tarot card to kick things off! In this episode, I cover a range of topics --from finding beauty to seeking our life’s purpose to meditation’s magic.

What we are seeking is ourselves - seeking our purpose, seeking who we really are. There's no such thing as failure. Failure is the only disappointment in our expectations not being met. What failure is actually information we can use to take the next step in inspired action.

As we gather information, we can peel away the layers that cover up our inner knowing. And meditation can help with that.

Want to learn more about healing your trauma? Visit ⁠https://hobayanhouse.com for more insight on healing, offerings to learn how to heal, and invitations to practice. And follow me on Instagram for some real talk about healing AND play: @leslieannhobayan

Today’s poems: “Needing a mirror” by Hafiz

“Ode to a Bar of Soap” by Pablo Neruda

You know the saying: where your attention goes, energy flows. So let me ask you this: in a time of empire collapse, where are you placing your attention? Are you focusing on the despair fed to us by mainstream media? Or can you direct some of your energy towards joy?

In this week's episode, I talk about how thriving is possible when the world feels too much. Restoration and connection are important to helping us keep going in the fight for liberation. Don't give in to despair and hopelessness! Listen in to learn how to not just survive, but thrive.

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3NmlshGX4ijHPXmFIgT1Nu⁠

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-grit/id1497436520⁠

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Knight of Cups (Reversed)

• Poem: “Elephant God” by Hafiz

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: ⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: ⁠leslieann@hobayanhouse.com

• Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRy⁠

• Kapwa bowls: https://hobayanhouse.com/kapwa-bowls

This episode's oracle card is The Great Severing. Feels forboding. How do we stay open to love when we are wounded? In a time when things start to feel hopeless or pointless, it's even more important to keep going. But how? How do we stay the course? What does self-worth have to do with it? How can ritual help us?

Tune in to find out!

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Today’s poems/ Books / Oracle / Tarot Cards mentioned:

• Tarot Card: The Great Severing

• Poem: "What do White Birds Say?” By Hafiz

  
  

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: ⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

How many of us lie about a friend's bad haircut? Or concede to a restaurant choice that you don't like? It's fine, you say.

In this week's episode, I'm talking about Don Miguel Ruiz's first agreement: be impeccable with your word. Too many of us throw away words. Too many of us just say things to say them. There's lots of word salad being tossed around (see what I did there? Haha) What might the world be like if all of us practice meaning what we said and said, as accurately as possible, what we mean?

In the age of fake intelligence and misinformation, it's more important now than ever to be impeccable with our words. To be honest and true about what we are trying to say. Listen in to hear an example of someone not being impeccable with their word and how we might practice saying what we really mean and truly meaning what we say.

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3NmlshGX4ijHPXmFIgT1Nu⁠

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-grit/id1497436520⁠

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Knight of Cups (Reversed)

• Poem: “Elephant God” by Hafiz

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: ⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: ⁠leslieann@hobayanhouse.com

• Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRy⁠

How many of us feel alone and isolated as the world continues to burn with so many fires? How many of us have forgotten how to connect with each other? Why does it matter? In this week's episode, I'm talking about how important it is for us to find or build community so that when push comes to shove, we will have people to turn to. And these communities don't have to be solely about liberation, it can be as simple as a book club or a knitting group. Tune in to learn more!

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3NmlshGX4ijHPXmFIgT1Nu⁠

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-grit/id1497436520⁠

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Two of Cups (Reversed)

• Poem: “The Fish and I will chat” by Hafiz

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: ⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: ⁠leslieann@hobayanhouse.com

• Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRy⁠

Inner work starts with thinking about how pain and sorrow is an opportunity for us to break down our barriers or any other walls. Allow yourself to feel the pain and sorrow.

What if the wound is the place where the light shines forth from you? There is a light within that connects all of us.

We are able to heal ourselves from the inside out.

The work we do on ourselves affects those around us. Everyone can see your light radiating out and they will be inspired.

Humans are communal beings. We are a species that thrives on supporting each other and helping each other.

When you do the work of healing, observe the pain and sorrow, notice it, feel its presence, let go, and acknowledge the lessons learned.

Thinking of starting a meditation practice for the new year? Grab my free resource, 5 Tips on Meditation, to get you started on a high note! Email: ⁠leslieann@suryagian.com⁠

Want to learn more about healing your trauma? Visit ⁠https://suryagian.com⁠ for more insight on healing, offerings to learn how to heal, and invitations to practice.

Follow me on Instagram for some real talk about healing AND play: @leslieannhobayan.

Also, subscribe to my Youtube Channel: Leslieann Hobayan.

Today’s poems:

• “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” by Rumi
• “Spiced Manna” by Hafiz

Books/ Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 6:25-30

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Last week was a little rough. I'm calling it Fury Week (kind of like shark week but without the sharks ha!). During that time, I found myself noticing patterns and asking: what is the universe trying to show me?

In this week's episode, I'm inviting you to consider what your reactions (as opposed to intentional responses) might be trying to tell you. As empire and its oppressive systems continue to crumble, the familiar ways of doing things no longer work. Can you get insight on what direction to take next from your reactions? How can you get guidance from rage? Tune in to learn more!

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3NmlshGX4ijHPXmFIgT1Nu⁠

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-grit/id1497436520⁠

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Sun

• Poem: “In the City, A New Congregation Find Her” by Barbara Jane Reyes

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: ⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: ⁠leslieann@hobayanhouse.com

• Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRy⁠

We've got the new moon in Pisces, the Spring Equinox, and Mercury turns direct! Hooray! What have you learned during this time of reflection and review? Now is the time to move forward towards the light. Plant the seeds of your dreams (Pisces energy!) and nurture them for their full bloom later this season.

In this week's episode, I am talking about how our frequency and who we are being already contribute to the fight for liberation. Of course, it is still crucial for us to take the necessary actions to dismantle empire and build this new world (boycotts, communicating to your elected officials, etc), but it's also important to honor our individual Divine calling as well as build meaningful connections in our communities. Tune to hear more!

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3NmlshGX4ijHPXmFIgT1Nu⁠

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-grit/id1497436520⁠

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: Seven of Pentacles

• Poem: “Easter Sunday” by Shin Yu Pai

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: ⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: ⁠leslieann@hobayanhouse.com

  Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRy⁠