Alexandria, VA: Heal Thrive Dream Holistic Care Inc. will host the Finding Your Purpose After Trauma Summit, a free virtual event to help trauma survivors move beyond survival and reconnect with meaning, hope, and direction. The summit will be held online on January 15-16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and is open to participants worldwide. It is designed for adults affected by trauma. It brings together trauma-competent professionals, thought leaders, and speakers with lived experience to offer education, encouragement, and practical tools for rebuilding life after adversity. Registration and event details can be found here . “Trauma can interrupt our sense of purpose, but it does not erase it,” said Karen Robinson, founder of Heal Thrive Dream Holistic Care Inc. “This summit exists to remind survivors that healing is possible, personal meaning can be reclaimed, and survivors can create a hopeful future, one compassionate step at a time.” Over two days, participants will explore how trauma affects identity, purpose, and confidence. They will learn practical strategies to heal, grow, and imagine a meaningful future. Sessions will cover nervous system regulation, self-compassion, clarifying values, and taking empowered steps toward purpose.   Keynote speakers The summit will feature two keynote speakers who are also event sponsors, showing their strong commitment to survivor healing and transformation. Stacy Pellettieri, a trauma-competent therapist, will speak about resilience, emotional healing, and reclaiming purpose after trauma. Tracie Root, a community leader and advocate for personal growth, will focus on hope, empowerment, and moving forward with intention after adversity.   Sponsors supporting healing and access The summit is possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors who are dedicated to healing and community well-being. Kat Mitchell, founder of Path to Discovery, helps survivors reconnect with purpose through coaching, hypnosis, and energy healing. Michelle Parker, a trauma-competent therapist, offers clinical wisdom based on safety, compassion, and evidence-based care. Tina Andrews, owner of ADORE Family Services, supports resilience and stability for children and families affected by trauma. Tonya Tyus, an experienced event organizer and advocate for trauma survivors, works to make the summit accessible, welcoming, and supportive for everyone. Carolyn Pistone, a motivational speaker, encourages survivors to take confident steps toward meaningful change. Caterina Rando, a business and speaker coach, supports purpose-driven leadership and growth after adversity. Together, these sponsors help provide high-quality healing resources to survivors everywhere. Participants will also have opportunities to connect, access downloadable resources, and experience a supportive environment that respects each person’s healing journey. Registration is now open To reserve a free spot and learn more, visit here .   Media contact Heal Thrive Dream Holistic Care Inc. Karen Robinson, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCTP-II; Trauma Recovery Expert HealThriveDream@gmail.com 571-409-0998

Written by Tammy Payne, Business Mindset and Performance Coach Tammy Payne is an executive coach and founder of INTREPiDLI, supporting high-performing leaders to enhance clarity, resilience, and sustainable performance through neuroscience-informed coaching and leadership development. As another year closes, many high performers find themselves doing what they’ve always done – reviewing goals, setting new targets, and planning for the next level of success. And yet, despite clarity on what they want, many enter the new year feeling depleted, distracted, or strangely stuck. The issue is rarely ambition, capability, or a lack of goals. The real constraint for high performers today is not direction, it’s regulation. The hidden cost of always pushing forward High achievers are often rewarded for overriding internal signals. We push through fatigue, normalize pressure, and override intuition in favor of speed. Over time, this creates leaders who are: Highly capable but chronically tired Clear on vision but slow to execute Productive, yet increasingly disconnected from purpose When the nervous system is under constant load, clarity erodes, decision-making narrows, and even simple tasks feel heavier than they should. This is not a motivation issue. It is a self-regulation issue. Why more goals don’t fix the problem Traditional goal setting assumes that performance improves when direction is sharpened. In reality, performance improves when the system making the decisions is regulated. Under stress: The brain defaults to urgency over importance Creativity drops Perspective collapses Reaction replaces intention In this state, setting more goals can actually increase friction, adding pressure without restoring capacity. Many high performers don’t need new goals. They need fewer priorities, cleaner decision filters, and a regulated internal state from which to act. Clarity is a state, not a strategy Clarity is often treated as a cognitive exercise, another thinking problem to solve. In practice, clarity is a physiological and emotional state. When regulated: Leaders see patterns more easily Decisions feel simpler Execution accelerates When dysregulated: Everything feels equally important Progress slows Self-trust erodes Trade-offs become obvious This is why so many capable leaders report, “I know what I need to do, I just can’t seem to move it forward.” The capacity to act is compromised, not the plan. The shift high performers must make The next evolution of leadership is not about doing more. It’s about regulating pressure before it accumulates, making fewer, higher-quality decisions, aligning ambition with sustainability, and building performance that enhances life, rather than consuming it. This requires a different focus, one that integrates neuroscience, psychology, and lived leadership experience, rather than relying solely on motivation or willpower. A different way to approach the year ahead Instead of asking, “What do I want to achieve next year?” high performers may benefit more from asking: What conditions allow me to perform at my best? Where am I leaking energy through overcommitment? What decisions am I avoiding because my system is overloaded? What would success look like if it were sustainable? From this place, goals become cleaner, execution becomes lighter, and progress accelerates naturally. Final thought High performance does not require constant pressure. It requires: Self-awareness Regulation Clarity under load And the discipline to build success that lasts As leaders, founders, and high performers, the most valuable investment we can make is not in another strategy, but in the system that executes it. Today, we’re just talking about the personal systems and frameworks, but the same is true organizationally. Strategy is worth nothing if the systems to implement and scale are not created first. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tammy Payne Tammy Payne, Business Mindset and Performance Coach Tammy Payne is an executive coach, speaker, and founder of INTREPiDLI, working with high-achieving leaders who look successful on the outside but feel flat, restless, or quietly burned out beneath it. With over 20 years of experience across corporate leadership and business ownership, she understands the pressure and responsibility of high performance because she has lived it. Tammy helps logic-driven leaders regulate their nervous systems, loosen over-control, and reconnect with intuition, creativity, and clarity. A certified breathwork facilitator, she integrates neuroscience, psychology, and embodied leadership into her work. Her mission is to help capable people stop running on empty and start leading lives they actually want to live.

Written by AnneMarie Smellie, Neurodevelopmental Practitioner, Kinesiologist, and Hypnotherapist AnneMarie Smellie is a UK-based neurodevelopmental practitioner, kinesiologist, and hypnotherapist with over 20 years’ experience helping children and adults build resilience, regulate anxiety, and strengthen brain–body foundations for learning and life. Parents often describe it the same way, "It was like my child disappeared." A child who was once emotionally steady suddenly becomes anxious, rigid, aggressive, withdrawn, or obsessive. Meltdowns escalate. Sleep deteriorates. Separation anxiety appears out of nowhere. School refusal follows. And no one can quite explain why. When behavior shifts rapidly and dramatically, it is not a parenting failure, and it is rarely "just a phase." For some children, these changes are driven by a little-known but profoundly impactful condition: PANS/PANDAS. What are PANS and PANDAS? PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) describe a sudden inflammatory response in the brain following infection or immune activation. In simple terms, the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking areas of the brain involved in: Emotional regulation Behavior Motor control Executive functioning This is not psychological in origin, it is neurological and immunological. The key feature that distinguishes PANS/PANDAS from other developmental or emotional difficulties is acute onset. Parents often pinpoint a specific moment in time when everything changed. How PANS/PANDAS can shape behavior Because inflammation affects the brain, behavior becomes the outward expression of an internal biological storm. Children may show: Sudden, intense anxiety or panic Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors Rage episodes that feel "out of character" Extreme emotional volatility Regression in speech, learning, or independence Sensory sensitivities to sound, light, or touch Tics or changes in movement Sleep disruption and fatigue Importantly, these behaviors are not willful. The child is not being defiant or manipulative. Their nervous system is overwhelmed, and their brain is struggling to process information safely. From the child’s perspective, the world has become unpredictable and threatening. Why PANS/PANDAS is so often missed Many children with PANS/PANDAS are initially labeled with: Anxiety disorders OCD ADHD Behavioral difficulties Autism-like traits While these labels may describe what is seen, they do not explain why the behavior appeared so suddenly. If we only address behavior through rewards, consequences, or talking therapies, without addressing inflammation and nervous system dysregulation, children often worsen rather than improve. Behavior is communication. In PANS/PANDAS, the message is clear, "My brain is under attack, and I don’t feel safe." The nervous system connection One of the most overlooked aspects of PANS/PANDAS is the state of the nervous system. Children in this condition are often stuck in: Fight (rage, aggression) Flight (avoidance, panic) Freeze (withdrawal, shutdown) Expecting emotional regulation from a nervous system locked in survival mode is unrealistic. Until the body feels safer, behavior will remain dysregulated, no matter how much logic or reassurance is offered. Why a whole-child approach matters Supporting a child with suspected PANS/PANDAS requires looking beyond symptoms. Key areas to consider include: Immune triggers (including recurrent infections) Inflammation and detoxification pathways Nutritional deficiencies that affect brain function Sensory processing and auditory overload Retained primitive reflexes that keep the nervous system on high alert Emotional stressors that may amplify immune responses No two children present in exactly the same way, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. Progress comes from reducing the load on the system, not demanding more from the child. What parents need to hear Perhaps the most important message is this: Your child is not broken. Your parenting has not failed. Their behavior is a signal, not a character flaw. When inflammation is addressed, the nervous system is supported, and the child’s foundations are strengthened, many families begin to see glimpses of the child they remember, sometimes quite quickly, sometimes gradually. Hope does not come from forcing change. It comes from understanding what the body is asking for. A final thought Children do well when they can. When they cannot, we must ask better questions. PANS/PANDAS invites us to move away from blaming the child, the parent, or even ourselves, and towards curiosity, compassion, and informed support. And sometimes, that shift alone changes everything. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from AnneMarie Smellie AnneMarie Smellie, Neurodevelopmental Practitioner, Kinesiologist, and Hypnotherapist AnneMarie Smellie is a UK-based neurodevelopmental practitioner, kinesiologist, and hypnotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She specialises in anxiety, neurodiversity and learning differences, working at the intersection of brain development, nervous-system regulation and emotional resilience. Through her work at Quester Therapies, AnneMarie helps children and adults uncover and address the root causes behind behavioural, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Her writing focuses on practical, compassionate insights that make complex brain-body concepts accessible and empowering.

Written by Ebi Sheila Diete-Spiff, Lifestyle Strategist Ebi Sheila Diete-Spiff is a leading self-love and transition coach, speaker, and mentor. She is the founder of Ebi’s Powerhouse, where she equips women worldwide with the tools to break free from self-doubt, reclaim their worth, and step into their power with confidence. Imposter syndrome is often framed as a confidence issue, this is a misconception. Imposter syndrome may be a mindset glitch that can be corrected with positive thinking, visibility practices, or another reminder of your achievements. There is a nagging sense of self-doubt that can be quieted with reassurance, visibility practice, or a reminder of past achievements. This explanation, however, has never quite fit. The question is, how is it that so many of the women who experience imposter syndrome most acutely are already confident, capable, and accomplished? They are articulate, capable, and trusted. They lead teams, meet milestones, manage businesses, and are trusted by others. From the outside, they look grounded and assured, yet they may still, privately, believe that they are one step away from being “found out.” This paradox reveals an uncomfortable truth. Through my own experience and the work I do with women, I have found that imposter syndrome is rarely about confidence. Imposter syndrome is all about self-worth and, more specifically, about what we learned we had to do to be allowed to be. The confidence myth around imposter syndrome Fact: Confidence is situational. A woman can feel confident giving a presentation and still doubt her right to be in the room. She can also perform well and still feel undeserving of recognition. Thoughts about this. Confidence answers the question, “Can I do this?” Self-worth answers a deeper one, “Am I allowed to be here without proving myself?” Most advice aimed at imposter syndrome tries to build confidence. But confidence alone cannot resolve a worth deficit. For example, speak up more, collect evidence for success, challenge your thoughts, act “as if.” While these strategies are great in the short term, they rarely address the underlying issue. When self-worth is fragile, confidence becomes performative. It is important that self-worth is maintained and embodied, not inhabited. The woman is acceptable and not just capable. Why success doesn’t silence self-doubt For many high-achieving women, success actually intensifies imposter syndrome. Why is this? Because achievement often becomes the condition for belonging. When worth is unconsciously tied to performance, every new level brings a new risk: “What if I can’t sustain this?” “What if this was luck?” “What if I disappoint people?” Success raises the stakes rather than settling the nervous system. The woman feels watched by others, but also by herself. Every achievement must be maintained. Every mistake feels like proof that she never truly belonged. This is why imposter syndrome in successful women often appears after promotions, visibility, or recognition, not before. Imposter syndrome in successful women is not irrational. It is a logical response to a system in which worth has been made conditional. Self-worth vs. self-esteem: An overlooked distinction So, what does self-worth really mean? What is the distinction between self-esteem and self-worth? Are they the same? In much of our thinking, we use these concepts interchangeably. The difference may seem subtle, but it has a profound effect on our nervous system. Self-esteem is how you evaluate yourself, your skills, competence, and performance, while self-worth is more fundamental. Self-worth is the belief that we are inherently enough, not because of what we do, but because we exist. Check out this article: From self-doubt to self-assurance: Saying goodbye to imposter syndrome Many women have strong self-esteem and fragile self-worth. They know they are competent, but they do not feel secure. This explains why praise, credentials, or reassurance provide temporary relief. This is an external affirmation that may soothe self-esteem, but it does not address the question, "Who am I when I am not achieving?" As long as worth remains something to be earned, imposter syndrome has fertile ground in which to grow. How over-responsibility trains women to doubt themselves What happens to us and how we perceive things that happen to us in the first seven years of our lives impacts our self-worth in adulthood. From an early age, many women are praised for being: Reliable Capable Emotionally steady Low maintenance Over time, worth becomes linked to holding everything together. This creates a quiet internal contract, "I am valuable when I am useful, composed, and needed." Imposter syndrome often emerges when a woman begins to outgrow this contract, when she wants ease, rest, or visibility without self-sacrifice. The doubt isn’t weakness. It’s a signal that an outdated worth structure is collapsing. The role of the nervous system Imposter syndrome is not purely cognitive. It is also physiological. For women who learned that safety came from being competent, agreeable, or invisible, visibility can activate the nervous system as a threat. Praise may feel destabilizing rather than affirming. Success may bring vigilance rather than relief. In this context, imposter syndrome is not a failure of mindset. It is a body-based response shaped by years of adaptation, which is buried in the nervous system. This is why telling women to “just be confident” often backfires. The body does not respond to logic alone. It responds to safety. True change occurs when worth is felt somatically, when the body learns that it is safe to rest, to be seen, and to belong without performance. What actually helps imposter syndrome dissolve Who are we as women? What is our true identity as women? Imposter syndrome does not dissolve through more doing, it dissolves through remembering the authentic self. Here are a few things that help: Separating identity from output Allowing rest without guilt Setting boundaries that protect energy Reconnecting with the body’s sense of safety Choosing honesty instead of perfection Most importantly, it requires a shift from earning worth to embodying worth. When self-worth becomes internal rather than conditional, confidence stops feeling fragile. Visibility no longer feels dangerous. And success no longer carries the weight of self-surveillance. This is not about becoming more self-assured. It is about becoming more rooted. Reclaiming worth as an act of leadership When a woman reclaims her worth, her leadership changes. If you feel like a fraud despite your achievements, it does not mean you are lacking. It means you have reached the edge of an old way of measuring your value. Imposter syndrome is not asking you to try harder. It is inviting you to come home to yourself. This shift does not make the woman less effective, it makes her sustainable. In a world that still equates value with output, choosing a worth-led approach is quietly radical. It challenges systems that benefit from women’s self-doubt and exhaustion. It models a different way of being, one that does not require self-abandonment. When worth is reclaimed, confidence becomes calm rather than performative, and leadership becomes sustainable rather than exhausting. She no longer leads from over-functioning or fear of failure. She leads from presence. Decisions become clearer. Boundaries become kinder and firmer. Relationships become more authentic. Closing call to action If this reflection resonates, it may be time to explore success from a worth-led foundation rather than performance alone. My work focuses on supporting women to reconnect with self-worth, reclaim inner authority, and lead without self-abandonment through writing, reflective practice, and community spaces designed for depth rather than hustle. You can find me. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ebi Sheila Diete-Spiff Ebi Sheila Diete-Spiff, Lifestyle Strategist Ebi Sheila Diete-Spiff is a self-love and mental fitness strategist who empowers women to reclaim their worth and embrace their potential with confidence. Born in Hertfordshire, England, she transformed personal struggles with toxic relationships, divorce, chronic illness, and single motherhood into a journey of resilience and growth. A pivotal awakening in 2014 inspired her to embrace self-love, fueling her mission to guide women worldwide past self-doubt. Through her signature blueprint, The WORTHY Woman Framework, Ebi offers tools for healing and empowerment. Today, she stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring women to live boldly and authentically. Source: https://bit.ly/3Yl1Yi3

Written by Ash Miner, MS, MM, Shamanic Practitioner & Teacher Ash Miner's passions for music and animals resulted in 2 bachelor's degrees and 3 master's degrees before she applied that knowledge to shamanic healing and teaching. A self-published author of the book The Answer to Everything: Earth Wisdom & Beauty, Ash hopes to one day found a healing sanctuary for people and animals who have survived trauma. Welcome, dear readers, to my seventh article, part six of my series on the ancient spiritual practice called shamanism. If you haven’t read my first article , I encourage you to do so, and preferably start from the beginning of my published writings. Each of my 11 articles for Brainz Magazine builds upon the others as teaching stories. This is the old way of sharing wisdom that my helping spirits have instructed me to follow. I will continue the story, then share its universal teachings afterward for clarity. Where we left off, Raven had just returned after grounding herself in the forest. Raven was sitting in shamanic practitioner and teacher Mel’s cabin, writing notes about the journey she had just experienced to meet her new power animal and returned soul part. This was a few days after Mel had performed a soul retrieval for Raven. Teaching stories, part 6 Raven sat and fully wrote out her journey in her journal. It read: I began in my favorite place in nature, which presented me with a cave to descend into so I could reach the Lower World of the Spirit World. The cave led me to a dark tunnel, but then I emerged into a beautiful forest beside a river, a lake, and an ocean not too far away. Every manner of animal was present, but Squirrel was the one who came to meet me. I was excited to meet my power animal, and he danced around my feet, climbed up my pants, darted playfully through my hair, then leapt onto a tree branch so we could speak eye-to-eye. I say speak, but it was telepathic. I heard his words, but his little rodent mouth did not move. He said, “Welcome, Raven! Finally, I get to meet you now. It is truly a pleasure to see you whole again. I have looked after your soul essence for quite a while. I understand you would like to meet her and speak with her yourself, is that right?” I nodded, dumbfounded by Squirrel’s energy and immediate helpfulness. “Go and sit on that fallen tree over there. I will take care of the rest,” Squirrel told me. I went and sat on the fallen tree. Within just a few seconds, younger me emerged from around the bend on the trail and sat next to me. I’ll say “she,” even though she is me – this is a bit challenging to write about. She waved hello, happily, and I returned her wave, wanting to be friendly. I asked, “How can we live well together now that you’re back?” She said, “Oh, I have been dying to dance! Let’s dance with everything and everyone, the wind, the trees, the bushes, even other animals! Let’s get another dog someday, promise?” I nodded my agreement with a smile at the dancing, though I think she could sense my hesitation about the dog part. “Do you like humming?” I asked her. “Perhaps we could dance even to our own songs?” She nodded up and down faster than seemed humanly possible, and said, “Yes! I miss humming! Why did we ever stop? We could dance to infinite songs with infinite dances.” I answered, “Great, sounds like a plan to me!” She agreed, then asked, “And when can we get another dog?” My smile faded, I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but I wasn’t ready for another dog yet. So, I looked down at my feet, kicking them gently off the giant tree trunk a few times to stall. Finally, I worked up the courage and said, “I’m not ready for another dog, but as soon as I am, we can get one then. Okay?” She seemed perfectly content with this answer, nodded in agreement with a smile, pushed herself off the tree trunk, and began dancing in the little clearing before us. She waved me over to dance with her. I pushed myself off as well, though I didn’t have as far to slide down to the ground, and rushed over to her. As soon as we clasped hands, we both turned into sparkly, golden light. Our bodies disappeared, and any separation we could have discerned between us before vanished. Suddenly, I was back, listening to Mel’s drumming. She could tell, because the callback drumbeat began, but I was already here. Mel had asked Raven to let her know when she had finished, so Raven announced the completion of her write-up. “Now,” instructed Mel, “I want you to take this yellow highlighter. Underline anywhere that felt particularly powerful; we call these the power points. Highlight anything your power animal or other spirit, including your soul, said to you. When you’ve done that, I want you to extract those into two separate poems at the bottom. The power points, then the quotes. Go ahead.” So the write-up got transformed into this, I began in my favorite place in nature, which presented me with a cave to descend into so I could reach the Lower World of the Spirit World. The cave led me to a dark tunnel, but then I emerged into a beautiful forest beside a river, a lake, and an ocean not too far away. Every manner of animal was here, but Squirrel was the one who came to meet me. I was excited to meet my power animal, and he danced around my feet, climbed up my pants, darted playfully through my hair, then leapt off onto a tree branch so we could speak eye-to-eye. I say "speak," but it was telepathic. I heard his words, but his little rodent mouth did not move. He said, “Welcome, Raven! Finally, I get to meet you now. It is truly a pleasure to see you whole again. I have looked after your soul essence for quite a while. I understand you would like to meet her, speak with her yourself, is that right?” I nodded, dumbfounded by Squirrel’s energy and immediate helpfulness. “Go and sit on that fallen tree over there. I will take care of the rest,” Squirrel told me. I went and sat on the fallen tree. Within just a few seconds, younger me emerged from around the bend on the trail and sat next to me. I’m going to say “she,” even though she is me – this is a bit challenging to write about. She waved hello happily, and I returned her wave, wanting to be friendly. I asked, “How can we live well together… now that you’re back?” She said, “Oh, I have been dying to dance! Let’s dance with everything and everyone – the wind, the trees, the bushes, even other animals! Let’s get another dog someday, promise?” I nodded my agreement with a smile at the dancing, though I think she could sense my trepidation about the dog part. “Do you like humming?” I asked her. “Perhaps we could dance even to our own songs?” She nodded up and down faster than seemed humanly possible, and said, “Yes! I miss humming! Why did we ever stop? We could dance to infinite songs with infinite dances.” I answered, “Great, sounds like a plan to me!” She agreed, then asked, “And when can we get another dog?” My smile faded; I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but I wasn’t ready for another dog yet. So, I looked down at my feet, kicking them gently off the giant tree trunk a few times to stall. Finally, I worked up the courage and said, “I’m not ready for another dog, but as soon as I am, we can get one then. Okay?” She seemed perfectly content with this answer, nodded in agreement with a smile, pushed herself off the tree trunk, and began dancing and humming in the little clearing before us. She waved me over to dance with her. I pushed myself off as well, though I didn’t have as far to slide down to the ground, and rushed over to her. As soon as we clasped hands, we both turned into sparkly, golden light. Our bodies disappeared, and any separation we could have discerned between us before vanished. Suddenly, I was back, listening to Mel’s drumming. She could tell because the callback drumbeat began, but I was already here. The poems, then, were: Points of power The cave brought me to a dark tunnel, but then I emerged in a beautiful forest. Squirrel is the one who came to meet me. Speak eye-to-eye; it was telepathic. Dumbfounded by Squirrel’s energy and immediate helpfulness, she waved hello happily, and I returned her wave, wanting to be friendly. I think she could sense my trepidation about the dog. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but I wasn’t ready for another dog yet. I looked down at my feet, kicking them off the giant tree trunk gently a few times to stall. Finally, I worked up the courage and said, “I’m not ready for another dog, but as soon as I am, we can get one then.” She seemed perfectly content with this answer, began dancing and humming in the little clearing. As soon as we clasped hands, we both turned into sparkly, golden light. Our bodies disappeared, and any separation we could have discerned between us before vanished. Quotes Squirrel: “Welcome, Raven! Finally, I get to meet you. It is truly a pleasure to see you whole again. I have looked after your soul essence for quite a while. I understand you would like to meet her and speak with her yourself, is that right?” “Go and sit on that fallen tree over there; I will take care of the rest.” Soul part: “Oh, I have been dying to dance! Let’s dance with everything and everyone, the wind, the trees, the bushes, even other animals! Let’s get another dog someday, promise?” “Yes! I miss humming! Why did we ever stop? We could dance to infinite songs with infinite dances.” “And when can we get another dog?” Mel asked Raven to read her poems aloud, and then they reflected on what Raven saw with each poem individually, as well as both poems together. Mel then asked Raven to write her answer in one sentence to the question, How can we, my soul and I, live well together? Raven’s answer was written, My soul and I can live well together by dancing, voicing our own songs, and bringing new love in when we’re ready. Story teachings In this article, we can see the power of the journeys themselves, the deepening practice that writing them out and making a poem of the power points and quotes brings, as well as the clarity this whole process provides. Done properly, it’s best to allow about two hours for one journey, and then to work with what comes up for about a week before doing another journey, at a minimum. It is recommended to journey for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and to stay in the journey for an entire track. You can choose from these options on YouTube: 15 minutes with drums & rattles 25 minutes with three drums 30 minutes of single drumming Now, if you had experienced Raven’s journey, what would you have underlined? What poems would you have made? We can all learn from each other’s spirits, and we can even learn from past journeys. The help is always there, evolving and growing alongside us. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more info! Read more from Ash Miner Ash Miner, MS, MM, Shamanic Practitioner & Teacher Ash Miner's personal journey of healing PTSD led her to shamanism. Despite being a total skeptic, she knew in 1 session this was her path, and had been since she was a very little girl. Ash has spent years studying extensively, completing US training by Sandra Ingerman, as well as with Jonathan Horwitz and Zara Waldebäck in Sweden. She has found her true calling in teaching and offering shamanic healing to human beings, animals, and the Earth. Her extensive background in music education and performance, as well as animal behavior, provides a scientific framework for her soul work. She specializes in healing song and healing story. Her mission is to demystify shamanism to make it an approachable healing modality for all of humanity.

Written by Alex Mellor-Brook , Co-Founder of Select Personal Introductions Alex Mellor-Brook is an Accredited Matchmaker, Relationship Coach, and leading media expert on modern relationships, featured across international TV, radio, podcasts, and press. With 28+ years’ experience, he is Co-founder of Select Personal Introductions and Vice Chair of the UK’s dating industry governing body. Why do you keep dating the same person in different bodies? You know the pattern, different name, different job, different face, but somehow, three months in, you’re having exactly the same arguments, feeling exactly the same frustrations, and watching exactly the same relationship unravel. The answer is your attachment style, the invisible blueprint that shapes how you connect, communicate, and behave in romantic relationships. Understanding it isn’t just psychological theory, it’s the key to transforming your love life in 2026 and beyond. What is attachment style and why does it matter? Your attachment style is your brain’s learned response to closeness and connection. Formed during your earliest experiences with caregivers, it creates a mental template for relationships that influences everything, from whom you’re attracted to, to how you handle conflict and intimacy. Think of it as your relationship operating system. These patterns determine whether you lean in when things get serious, pull away when emotions run high, or find balance between connection and independence. Research shows that early caregiving experiences, whether your needs were met consistently, inconsistently, or rarely, directly shape expectations in adult relationships. When caregivers respond reliably, the brain learns that people are trustworthy. When care is unpredictable, the brain develops protective strategies that persist into adulthood. But here’s the crucial part, attachment styles aren’t destiny. Early experiences create the blueprint, but they don't define your relationship story forever. Which attachment style are you? A quick self-assessment Don’t think too long, just give your first intuitive answer to these questions: When your partner needs space, do you: a. Feel comfortable giving them time alone, b. Immediately worry they’re pulling away, c. Feel relieved and welcome independence, d. Feel simultaneously relieved and panicked? When conflict arises, do you: a. Address it directly but calmly, b. Become emotional and need immediate reassurance, c. Withdraw and need time alone, d. Oscillate between wanting to talk and wanting to escape? How do you view love generally? a. As enduring and stable when built on trust, b. As intense but requiring constant effort, c. As rare and often temporary, d. As desirable but ultimately dangerous? Mostly A’s suggest secure attachment. Mostly B’s indicate anxious attachment. Mostly C’s point to avoidant attachment. Mostly D’s mean fearful-avoidant attachment. And if you got a blend, relax, mixed answers are completely normal. We all have different attachment styles in different situations. The four attachment styles: How they show up in modern dating Secure attachment: The gold standard Secure individuals are comfortable with both intimacy and independence. They trust partners, communicate needs clearly, and don’t panic when their partner needs space. What this looks like: Your partner texts saying they need a quiet night alone. You respond, “No worries, hope you get some rest! Fancy brunch tomorrow?” You feel momentarily disappointed but not threatened. In the talking stage: You match, have good conversation, and arrange another meeting without overanalyzing response times. After a great first date, you express interest clearly without being desperate. Approximately 50-60% of adults fall into this category, which means nearly half the dating pool is working with insecure patterns. Anxious attachment: The reassurance seeker Anxious individuals crave closeness and reassurance, often fearing their partner will leave or stop loving them. What this looks like: Your partner texts needing a night alone. Your stomach drops. You re-read the message five times, analyzing the tone. You send a supportive reply but spend the evening spiraling: “Are they losing interest? Should I check in?” In the talking stage: You meet and feel intense chemistry. When they take three hours to respond, you’ve already drafted and deleted six messages. You might come on strong, which can overwhelm potential partners. This style develops when caregiving was inconsistent, sometimes responsive, sometimes absent. Avoidant attachment: The independence advocate Avoidant individuals value independence above all else, uncomfortable with emotional intimacy and viewing partners as ‘needy’ when expressing emotional needs. What this looks like: Your partner texts saying they miss you and suggests coming over. You feel irritation because you’d mentally prepared for alone time. You reply, “I'm pretty tired tonight, let’s catch up next week?” In the talking stage: You enjoy early dating but feel trapped once someone wants commitment. You might ghost when things get serious or find sudden ‘deal-breakers.’ Beneath the cool exterior often lies deep longing for connection, it’s just terrifying to admit it. Fearful-avoidant: The push-pull dynamic Fearful-avoidant attachment involves simultaneously craving and fearing intimacy. You want closeness but panic when you get it. What this looks like: Your partner texts saying they miss you. You feel excited! An hour later, as they’re on their way, you feel inexplicably anxious. When they arrive, you’re withdrawn. Later, after they’ve left, obviously feeling confused, you text saying you love them. In the talking stage: You experience intense chemistry followed by sudden withdrawal. You might send a vulnerable late-night text, then not respond for three days. This style develops when caregivers were both a source of comfort and fear. How attachment styles play out across relationship contexts Your attachment style isn’t fixed across all relationships. You might be secure with friends but anxious with romantic partners. Many people are anxious in early dating but become more secure once commitment is established. This fluidity is encouraging, patterns are adaptive responses to situations, not unchangeable traits. What happens when different attachment styles date each other? Secure + Secure: Both communicate openly, handle conflict constructively, and balance intimacy with independence. These relationships are resilient. Secure + Anxious: The secure partner’s consistency can help the anxious partner feel safe, though the anxious partner’s reassurance needs can occasionally overwhelm. Secure + Avoidant: The secure partner can create space for the avoidant partner to open up gradually, but success depends on the avoidant partner’s willingness to work on vulnerability. Anxious + Avoidant: The classic trap. The anxious partner pursues, the avoidant withdraws, confirming each person’s worst fears. This requires significant effort to work. Anxious + Anxious: Initially intense but can become volatile. Both seek constant reassurance, and when one is unavailable, the other spirals. Avoidant + Avoidant: Emotionally distant relationships that might work if both prefer minimal intimacy, though often one eventually wants more closeness. Why your attachment style isn't fixed Attachment patterns are relational habits, not personality traits carved in stone. Your brain’s neuroplasticity means you can develop more secure patterns at any age through therapy, supportive friendships, or healthy romantic relationships. How to develop more secure attachment patterns Increase your self-awareness Notice your patterns without judgment. When you feel activated, anxious, angry, or emotionally flooded, pause and name it, “This is my anxious brain worrying about rejection.” This simple act creates space between stimulus and response. That space is where change happens. Communicate your needs clearly Express needs directly: “I feel more connected when we check in during the day” or “I need alone time after work to recharge.” If you’re anxious: Instead of “Why didn’t you text me back?!” try “I felt worried when I didn’t hear from you. A quick message helps me feel connected.” If you’re avoidant: Instead of withdrawing silently, try “I’m feeling overwhelmed and need processing time. Can we talk tomorrow?” Challenge your limiting beliefs When your partner doesn’t text back immediately, generate three alternative explanations, they’re in a meeting, their phone died, they’re focused on something else. This isn’t toxic positivity, it’s training your brain to look beyond catastrophic narratives. Practice opposite actions If you’re anxious: Resist seeking constant reassurance. Practice self-soothing, take a walk, use deep breathing, journal. If you’re avoidant: Practice small moments of vulnerability. Share one feeling. Trust builds gradually through accumulated experiences of safety. Choose emotionally consistent relationships Seek people who respond with steadiness rather than volatility. If you’re anxiously attached, resist people who are hot and cold. If you’re avoidant, challenge yourself to stay present when someone gets close. Creating your most secure love life in 2026 As we move through 2026’s dating landscape, where online experiences dominate and “ breadcrumbing ” is recognized as dating behavior, understanding attachment styles becomes crucial. The modern dating environment amplifies attachment anxieties, read receipts trigger anxious spirals, endless options enable avoidant commitment-phobia, and screens can leave everyone feeling isolated. But here’s the opportunity, awareness gives you agency. If you’re anxious, practice tolerating uncertainty. If you’re avoidant, practice staying present during emotional moments. If you’re fearful-avoidant, work on building trust gradually. Keep some dating grounded in real-life meet-ups and voice-to-voice calls. Remember, your partner has their own attachment patterns. When conflicts arise, see the protective strategy beneath the behavior. The partner pulling away might be managing overwhelm. The partner seeking reassurance is expressing a genuine need for connection. Your attachment style shapes your love life, but it doesn’t have to limit it. With awareness, compassion, and consistent practice, you can build the secure, genuine connections you deserve. The operating system built in childhood doesn’t have to be the one you use forever. That’s the promise of 2026, not finding the perfect partner who magically fixes everything, but becoming secure enough within yourself to build something real with someone equally committed to growth. Discover Select Personal Introductions , where lasting relationships begin with understanding. Our bespoke matchmaking and relationship coaching are designed to help you create the connection you’ve been waiting for, genuine, thoughtful, and built to last. Follow me on Facebook ,   Instagram , and visit my LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Alex Mellor-Brook Alex Mellor-Brook , Co-Founder of Select Personal Introductions Alex Mellor-Brook is one of the UK’s leading voices on love and modern relationships. He is the Co-founder of Select Personal Introductions, a multi-award-winning dating and matchmaking agency supporting elite singles across the UK and worldwide. With over 28 years of experience, Alex is an Accredited International Matchmaker and Science-based Relationship Coach, known for blending empathy, strategy, and science to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and public figures build lasting relationships. His expertise is regularly featured across international TV, radio, and press. As Vice Chair of the UK’s dating industry governing body, he also champions higher standards, ethics, and professionalism.

Written by Justin Edgar, Coach Justin Edgar is a life and breathwork coach and creator of The Art of Creative Flow, blending entrepreneurship, education, and mindful somatic practice to help individuals, leaders, and teams move beyond struggle and burnout to reconnect with clarity, vitality, and purpose. Most of us have been taught to believe that ideas are produced somewhere inside us. In the brain, perhaps. In the firing of neurons, the folding of cortex, the chemistry of thought. We speak of “having” ideas as though they are possessions, generated by effort, assembled through intelligence, earned through work. We locate them in the body, in the mind as machine, in the intricate tissues of neuroanatomy that modern science has mapped with extraordinary precision. And yet, quietly and persistently, our lived experience tells a different story. The brightest ideas do not arrive through force. They appear unexpectedly. Often uninvited. Fully formed, or nearly so. They come while walking, showering, resting, staring out a window. They arrive when the body is relaxed, when attention softens, when the will loosens its grip. They are less the result of doing than of allowing. This raises an uncomfortable question, and one we rarely pause long enough to ask, "If ideas are made by the brain, why do they so often appear when the brain is no longer trying to make them?" To begin answering this, it helps to start with something familiar. Consider a car. The car, in this analogy, is representative of the human body, our biology, our physical form. It is beautifully engineered, meticulously assembled, capable of remarkable performance. We can admire its shape, study its design, catalogue its components. But on its own, it is motionless. A mannequin bereft of movement. Potential without animation. Beneath the surface lies chemistry. Fuel. Combustion. Reaction. In the body, molecules, hormones, neurotransmitters, the astonishing biochemical ballet that sustains life. Necessary, essential, endlessly fascinating. And yet, just like a full tank of petrol, chemistry alone does not move the car. Fuel does nothing without ignition. And ignition does not belong to chemistry. The spark comes from elsewhere. It comes from the scientific realm of physics, from charge, from timing, from invisible forces that do not announce themselves as objects, but as events. Physics is not concerned with what things are, but with how they behave. It studies motion, interaction, relationship. And when physics descends into its most subtle expressions, into the quantum realm, it begins to describe phenomena that are barely perceptible at all. Probabilities. Tendencies. Fields of potential waiting to be observed. We recognise this pattern in ordinary life more often than we realise: the pause before a decision crystallises, the moment before the right words arrive, the sense that something is about to take shape without yet knowing what it is. In each case, there is potential without form, movement without direction, readiness without instruction. At this level, the story of life quietly changes. We are no longer looking at parts assembling into wholes. We are witnessing wholes selecting their moment to appear. And it is here, at the threshold between potential and expression, that the question of ideas becomes interesting again. What if ideas do not originate in the body at all? What if the brain, the pineal and pituitary glands, the reticular activating system, the neural networks we so diligently map are not the source of insight, but the instrument through which insight arrives? What if consciousness is not produced by these structures, but moves through them, the way music moves through a radio, or electricity through a circuit? In that case, the body is not the author of ideas. It is the receiver. The translator. The means by which something more subtle takes form. And if that is true, then a bright idea is not something we manufacture. It is something we learn to listen for. If this is so, if the body is receiver rather than origin, then much of how we speak about intelligence needs gentle re-examination. We have grown accustomed to locating thought in tissue, insight in circuitry, genius in grey matter. We point to regions of the brain lighting up and say, there is the idea. But correlation is not causation. A dashboard lighting up does not mean the car is inventing the journey. It means something has begun to move. The brain responds to ideas the way an instrument responds to vibration. It resonates. It amplifies. It gives shape and coherence to something that has already arrived at its threshold. This would explain why original ideas feel less like constructions and more like encounters. We don’t build them so much as recognise them. We don’t force them so much as make ourselves available. And availability, it turns out, has very little to do with effort. Anyone who has wrestled earnestly with a difficult problem knows this experience intimately. The mind strains, circles, pushes. Hours pass. Nothing resolves. Then, often at the moment of surrender, while making tea, stepping outside, lying down, the answer appears. Clean. Obvious. Almost amused that we hadn’t seen it sooner. Where was it hiding? Not in the muscles of concentration. Not in the chemistry of strain. But in the quiet that followed. This pattern repeats so reliably that it begins to suggest a law of cognition rather than an exception: insight favours spaciousness. It arrives when attention softens, when the nervous system relaxes enough to sense more subtle signals. Which invites another question, quieter still, "What is it that senses first?" At the subtlest levels of experience, before language forms and before logic assembles, there is often a feeling, a tug, a resonance, a sense of rightness. A knowing without words. This is not emotion in the usual sense, nor is it thought. It is closer to orientation. A directional awareness that says this way long before it can say why. We call this intuition, though the word has been diluted by overuse and misunderstanding. Intuition is not guessing. It is not magical thinking. It is not opposed to reason. It is pre-rational, not irrational. It is intelligence arriving before the decoration of explanation. And those who have learned to trust this arrival, to wait with it, to listen rather than rush, have shaped the world in ways that logic alone never could. Albert Einstein understood this deeply. Contrary to the popular image of Einstein as a purely cerebral genius, his own accounts of thinking tell a different story. He spoke not of equations first, but of images. Not of deduction, but of feeling. Ideas came to him as intuitions, vague, visual, relational, long before they crystallised into the mathematics of quantum and atomic structure. What distinguished him was not speed of thought, but patience with not knowing. He once remarked that if given an hour to solve a problem, he would spend fifty-five minutes determining the right question, and only five minutes finding the answer. This was not rhetorical flourish. It was a precise description of how insight actually works. The question is the call. The answer is the response. And the space between them, the long, attentive, curious dwelling with uncertainty, is where intuition is invited to speak. Curiosity, in this light, is not a hunger for answers. It is a willingness to remain in relationship with mystery, in a state of sustained wonder. It is the posture of openness that says, I am listening. I wonder what I might discover. When curiosity is genuine, when it is free of urgency and the need to perform, something subtle but important happens. Attention changes quality. Instead of narrowing toward an outcome, it opens toward possibility. Instead of grasping for an answer, it begins to listen. Anyone who has experienced this knows the shift instinctively. The body softens. The breath deepens. The problem feels less like an opponent to be wrestled with and more like a companion that invites a deeper intelligence to emerge. It is in this state that ideas begin to behave differently. Rather than arriving as conclusions, they surface as impressions. A hunch. An image. A feeling of direction without explanation. The mind senses movement before it sees the path. This is not unusual. It is simply under-acknowledged. Consider a familiar example: a conversation in which you suddenly know what someone is about to say. Or the moment a musician anticipates the next note without thinking. Or the way a seasoned craftsperson senses when something is “off” long before they can explain why. Or knowing where you left your keys the moment you stop trying to remember where you left them. In each case, intelligence is operating relationally, not mechanically. Information is being registered from a wider context than conscious thought alone. It is experiences like these that led thinkers such as Albert Einstein to speak so carefully, and so reverently, about intuition. Einstein once wrote: “Intuition is a sacred gift and reason is its faithful servant. We have created a society that has forgotten the gift and honours the servant.” This was not mysticism. It was observation. Einstein noticed that his most important insights did not arise from calculation, but preceded it. They came as felt images, relational understandings, sudden coherences, long before the logic of his mathematical reasoning was able to catch up. Reason, in his experience, was not the source of discovery. It was the means of translation. Seen this way, intuition is not something private and isolated, sealed inside the individual mind. It is an interface, a point of contact between the individual and something larger than the individual. It is the very means by which we derive intelligence from a source beyond ourselves. And that aligns with our standard definition of creativity, to derive an original idea that has value. We experience this kind of contact all the time. Think of the moment you sense tension in a room without anyone saying a word. Or the way you know someone is upset before they explain why. Or how a problem you’ve been carrying suddenly feels lighter after a quiet walk, even though nothing has “changed” on the surface. In moments like these, information is not being reasoned out step by step. It is being picked up, registered, felt. Something beyond deliberate thought is already in conversation with us. A point of contact between the individual and a broader field of information, one we already participate in constantly, whether we are aware of it or not. We do not speak language alone. We do not generate meaning alone. We do not think in isolation from context. Why, then, should insight be any different? Curiosity opens the inquiry, but it is empathy that opens the channel through which intuition can arise. This distinction matters. Curiosity is the posture of wonder. It is the question turned gently toward the unknown. Empathy is the condition that allows the unknown to respond. It is the cognitive capacity by which we may know what another knows and feel what another feels. It is the felt openness that dissolves the boundary between self and other, between thinker and the field of awareness in which the thinker resides. Empathy is not merely sentiment. It is relational awareness. It is the cognitive capacity to be with, with another person, with a problem, with an idea that has not yet taken form, without collapsing that relationship into control or certainty. This makes empathy a precondition for the arising of understanding, and explains why intuition depends upon it as the channel through which insight arrives. Curiosity poses the question. Empathy allows us to access the invisible field of awareness. And intuition responds. This triadic movement is already familiar to us, though we rarely name it. It is present in deep conversation, where genuine listening allows insight to surface unexpectedly. It is present in creative collaboration, where ideas arise between people rather than inside them. It is present in moments of love, grief, and beauty, when we know something is true before we know how to say it. This is why Albert Einstein could say, without exaggeration, “I possess no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Einstein understood that curiosity was not the source of his insights, but the means by which he accessed insight. His genius lay not in force of intellect, but in the willingness to remain open long enough, empathically and relationally, for intuition to answer. Reason then does what reason does best. It translates. It refines. It gives form and relational context to a fresh idea. But it does not originate ideas. From within the mathematics of quantum physics itself, Erwin Schrödinger arrived at the same conclusion from another direction, “The sum total of minds in the universe is one.” This was not poetry. It was inference. At the quantum level, separation is not fundamental. Relationship is. Correlation persists across distance. Observation participates in outcome. Information is not confined to locality in the way classical thinking assumes. If matter is not ultimately separate, then consciousness, which perceives matter, cannot be fully separate either. We don’t need physics to recognise this. We encounter it most clearly through empathy. We feel when someone close to us is struggling, even before they speak. We pick up joy, anxiety, or ease simply by being near another person. In moments of deep connection, we don’t experience ourselves as observers standing apart. We feel involved, affected, included. Empathy doesn’t travel from one person to another like a message sent through space. It arises because, at some level, we are already participating in the same field of experience. Empathy is not an emotional add-on to intelligence. It is the means by which intelligence, in its fullest sense, is shared. And intuition is how that shared intelligence is received. Even the language we use points us here. The roots of curiosity, care, empathy, and concern all trace back to the Latin cura, attentive regard, tending, relationship. To be curious is to care enough to inquire. To be empathic is to care enough to feel. To be intuitive is to care enough to listen beneath the obvious. Original ideas are born where all three are present. Together, they seed imagination and the blooming of ideas recognised by the intellect. Curiosity turns us toward what we do not yet understand. Empathy becomes the channel through which shared knowing may be exchanged. And intuition is what arrives when that openness to receive is sustained. This is not a special talent. It is a natural capacity, one we all recognise in moments when thinking gives way to listening, when attention softens, and something quietly clicks into place. Seen this way, a bright idea is not an act of mental force or solitary genius. It is an act of participation available to us all. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Justin Edgar Justin Edgar, Coach Justin Edgar is a life and breathwork coach, speaker, and creator of The Art of Creative Flow, a transformational program helping individuals, leaders, and teams move beyond burnout and reconnect with purpose, creativity, and resilience. With a unique background spanning financial markets, Montessori education, wellness entrepreneurship, and somatic practice, Justin brings rare depth and insight to his coaching. His work empowers clients to harness clarity, intuition, and creative flow as tools for personal and professional breakthroughs.

Written by Sajdah Wendy Muhammad, Business Advisor Wendy is a multi-million-dollar business and real estate developer, global thought leader, crisis manager, emotional intelligence coach, and award-winning urban historic preservationist. An international entrepreneur, she has pioneered innovative healthcare business models and founded the Mind of an Entrepreneur® brand to empower marginalized communities through wealth-building, business ownership, and sustainable community development. In this thought-provoking conversation, business strategist and author Sajdah Wendy Muhammad unpacks why intellectual property is often the most undervalued form of wealth in Black communities. Using the Uncle Remus controversy as a case study, she explores how brand protection, cultural authorship, and strategic enforcement play a critical role in preserving legacy and building generational economic power. Why intellectual property is often overlooked wealth Black Chicago Eats In light of the Uncle Remus and “Uncle Remy’s” controversy, why is intellectual property often the most overlooked form of wealth in Black communities, even though it may be the most valuable? Sajdah Wendy Muhammad Intellectual property is often overlooked because it’s intangible and historically was built without early access to legal infrastructure. Many legacy Black businesses were founded during eras when access to attorneys, capital, and formal protections was limited or intentionally denied. Value was placed in names, recipes, reputation, and community trust, without those assets being fully documented or protected. Yet intellectual property is often the most valuable asset a business owns. A name can carry decades of goodwill. A brand can embody memory, identity, and loyalty. In cases like Uncle Remus, the value isn’t just food sales, it’s cultural recognition earned over generations. When that is diluted or confused, the loss is economic, historical, and communal. Intellectual property is also portable and scalable wealth. Buildings can be taken. Markets can shift. But a protected name can generate value across locations, generations, and platforms, if it’s guarded with intention. What happens when a trusted name is reused Black Chicago Eats What happens economically and culturally when a trusted Black-owned brand name is reused or mimicked without consent, especially in food? Muhammad The damage happens on two inseparable levels. Economically, brand names are reputational capital. In food, customers rely on memory and trust. Confusion diverts revenue and weakens loyalty built over decades, often in spite of limited access to capital or marketing budgets. The business is then forced to defend its identity instead of growing it. Culturally, the harm is deeper. Black-owned food institutions are anchors of memory and place. Their names carry stories of migration, survival, and entrepreneurship. When those names are reused without consent, it erodes cultural authorship and accelerates a quiet form of erasure. Over time, it teaches a damaging lesson, that Black-created value is consumable but unprotected. That discourages long-term investment and weakens intergenerational wealth transfer. Why “coexistence” isn’t neutral Black Chicago Eats Some people ask why two businesses can’t just coexist. From an IP standpoint, why does name proximity matter? Muhammad Coexistence only works when there is clear distinction. When names are too close in sound or appearance, especially in the same market, confusion becomes corrosive. Confusion diverts revenue built on goodwill. It dilutes reputation. It forces the original business into defensive spending just to preserve what it already earned. And over time, it weakens the enforceability of the brand itself. This isn’t about two doors being open. It’s about whether the marketplace can clearly distinguish who is who. When clarity disappears, the original business pays the price economically and historically. The lesson from The Art and Science of Business Black Chicago Eats In The Art and Science of Business, you write about balancing creativity and structure. How does this moment illustrate that? Muhammad This moment can also be understood through an Art of War lens, protecting territory, assets, and strategic advantage. A legacy brand like Uncle Remus is a strategic asset. Its name represents market position and earned trust. Protecting it isn’t about blame, it’s about vigilance. Valuable assets attract encroachment. Strategy is not reactive emotion, it’s proactive defense. Even well-established brands must continuously assess how their name is being used and perceived. Legacy survives not just because it was built well, but because it is continually defended with discipline. Practical steps for Black entrepreneurs Black Chicago Eats For entrepreneurs watching this unfold, what are the first steps to protect and monetize intellectual property? Muhammad First, recognize intellectual property as a core asset. Treat it like real estate or equipment. Second, formalize ownership early, register names, secure trademarks where appropriate, and document usage. Third, separate emotion from enforcement. Protecting IP is maintenance, not hostility. Fourth, monetize intentionally. A protected brand can be licensed, franchised, or extended. Monetization turns recognition into leverage. Finally, build advisory capacity. Power is built when creation and protection move together. The goal is to build from strength before anyone tests it. This is how we protect our culture and begin monetizing our cultural capital. The takeaway What ultimately shifted the Uncle Remus situation was not outrage alone. It was proof, clarity, and enforcement. When the trademarks were presented and the brand spoke with confidence, the competing business backed down. That outcome underscores a larger truth: legacy without protection is vulnerable. But legacy paired with strategy becomes power. For those who want to explore these principles further, Sajdah Wendy Muhammad’s book, The Art and Science of Business, offers frameworks for building, protecting, and scaling what you create. More information is available at ArtandScienceofBusiness.com , and business advisory services can be found here . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sajdah Wendy Muhammad Sajdah Wendy Muhammad , Business Advisor Wendy Muhammad is a multi-million-dollar business developer, Author of the best-selling book, The Art and Science of Business, an Award-Winning Urban Historic Preservationist and Real Estate Developer, with more than $500 million in projects across healthcare, real estate, infrastructure, and community development. Muhammad is a leading voice in empowering entrepreneurs and building generational wealth. Her Mind of an Entrepreneur brand includes podcasts, workshops, and books that blend strategy, spirituality, and economic empowerment

Written by Andy Honda, MD, Medical Executive and Consultant Andy Honda, MD is a published clinical researcher, speaker, and medical consultant passionate about making science accessible and empowering healthier choices. She’s been honored with Women in Medicine, Marquis Who's Who in America, and featured in the Wall Street Journal and on CBS. Each year, approximately 92% of New Year's resolutions end in abandonment. This staggering failure rate is not attributable to lack of desire or character deficits. It reflects a fundamental misalignment between popular goal-setting approaches and the empirically validated mechanisms of human motivation. Over 35 years of rigorous scientific investigation has established precisely which strategies succeed and which predictably fail. The encouraging reality is that goal-setting represents one of the most extensively researched frameworks in behavioral science. Edwin Locke and Gary Latham's Goal-Setting Theory, replicated across countless organizational, educational, and personal contexts, has identified the specific conditions under which goals transform intention into achievement. Understanding these principles allows you to work with your brain's architecture rather than against it. The core principle: Specificity and challenge drive performance Goal-Setting Theory's central finding is elegantly powerful. Setting specific, challenging goals leads to significantly higher performance than vague goals or instructions to simply "do your best." This effect persists across domains because it addresses fundamental neurobiological realities. When you establish specific goals, the prefrontal cortex, your brain's executive control center responsible for planning and decision-making, becomes actively engaged. Vague aspirations like "get healthier" fail to activate these cognitive systems with sufficient intensity. In contrast, specific targets such as "exercise for 30 minutes at 6:30 AM on weekdays" provide the neurological clarity required to mobilize sustained effort. The challenge component is equally critical. Goals must stretch beyond current performance levels while remaining attainable through reasonable effort. This balance activates the mesolimbic dopamine system, which releases dopamine during goal pursuit. Dopamine functions not merely as a pleasure signal but as a learning and motivation catalyst, creating what researchers identify as a positive feedback loop. Progress triggers dopamine release, producing feelings that reinforce continued effort. Three essential elements amplify goal effectiveness. First, specificity requires defining the who, what, when, and where of intended outcomes. Second, adequate challenge creates the optimal arousal level that sustains attention and effort. Third, regular feedback provides continuous information about progress, enabling real-time adjustments that prevent derailment. The neurobiology of sustained motivation The brain responds powerfully to goal-setting through multiple interconnected systems. Beyond dopamine's motivational function, goal pursuit stimulates neuroplasticity, the capacity to reorganize and strengthen neural connections. Repeatedly engaging in goal-directed behaviors reinforces neural pathways associated with focus, planning, and self-regulation, progressively reducing the cognitive effort required for future goal attainment. Measurable and time-bound goals particularly engage reward pathways by providing concrete progress indicators. When you receive feedback showing advancement, the brain's reward system activates, strengthening associations between effort and achievement. This neurochemical cascade enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, and stress management, all crucial for sustained long-term success. However, this system contains a critical vulnerability, goal commitment. Without genuine determination to achieve the goal, even optimally designed objectives fail to activate motivational systems. Commitment functions as the essential catalyst that transforms abstract intention into neurobiological engagement. Additionally, adequate ability and effective feedback mechanisms serve as moderating factors. Lacking these elements systematically undermines goal success. Written goals and the 76% success rate Research by psychologist Gail Matthews demonstrates the substantial impact of externalizing goals. Writing down goals increased achievement rates to 76%, compared to only 43% for those who merely contemplated their objectives internally. This effect reflects multiple mechanisms. Written goals increase cognitive encoding, provide an external accountability artifact, and reduce reliance on working memory. The effectiveness magnifies further when combined with specific action commitments and structured accountability systems. In Matthews' research, participants who sent weekly progress reports to a friend maintained the 76% success rate, significantly outperforming all other conditions. This public commitment creates what psychologists term self-accountability, leveraging social pressures and reputation concerns to sustain motivation when internal drive inevitably fluctuates. Implementation intentions: The three-fold effectiveness multiplier Implementation intentions represent one of the most robust evidence-based techniques for goal achievement. Rather than setting only broad goal intentions, such as "I intend to exercise more," implementation planning specifies precise conditions. For example, "If it's 6:30 AM on a weekday, then I will run for 30 minutes at the park." Research demonstrates that individuals who formulate implementation intentions are approximately three times more likely to complete difficult goals than those with goal intentions alone. The mechanism underlying this dramatic effectiveness is that precise if-then plans reduce decision fatigue and shield goal pursuit from interruptions. By automating the behavioral response through prior specification, the if-then structure removes the need for continuous deliberation and willpower expenditure. This approach directly addresses the reality that self-control operates as a depletable resource. Your prefrontal cortex fatigues throughout the day, and relying on sustained willpower becomes neurologically unsustainable. Implementation planning also significantly reduces the planning fallacy, people's tendency to underestimate task-completion times. By forcing concrete consideration of when and where actions will occur, this technique decreases unrealistic optimism while increasing actual goal completion rates. Self-efficacy: The hidden multiplier of goal success Self-efficacy, belief in your capacity to accomplish specific tasks, forms a critical mediator of goal-setting effectiveness. Higher self-efficacy directly enables setting more ambitious goals while increasing commitment to their achievement. This relationship creates a virtuous cycle. Individuals with high self-efficacy set challenging goals, experience success through goal attainment, and develop even stronger efficacy beliefs that support progressively more ambitious objectives. The sources of self-efficacy can be systematically cultivated. Mastery experiences, direct success on challenging tasks, represent the most powerful source. Observing others' success, receiving credible encouragement, and maintaining positive emotional states also contribute. Notably, experiencing success on progressively more challenging tasks builds mastery experiences that strengthen efficacy beliefs, suggesting a strategic approach. Begin with goals slightly beyond current capacity, accumulate success experiences, then scale ambition accordingly. Approach versus avoidance: The motivational quality distinction Goals differ fundamentally in their motivational direction, and this distinction produces markedly different outcomes. Approach goals focus on attaining desirable outcomes, such as "I will achieve X," while avoidance goals focus on preventing undesirable outcomes, such as "I will avoid losing X." Though these appear functionally equivalent, they activate distinct neural systems. Research consistently demonstrates that approach goals increase task enjoyment, intrinsic motivation, and positive emotion, whereas avoidance goals increase anxiety and negative feelings. Even when facing identical tasks, subjective experience and performance differ substantially based on goal framing. This suggests that motivational quality matters as much as specificity. Goals framed around approach sustain engagement more effectively than those emphasizing avoidance. The science of progress tracking Self-monitoring represents one of the most robustly validated principles in behavioral science. A meta-analysis of over 19,000 participants found that monitoring goal progress significantly increased achievement rates. The mechanism is straightforward. Awareness breeds accountability, and accountability drives behavioral change. Recent research reveals important nuances in tracking methodology. For habit formation, simple binary tracking, yes or no, maintains behaviors 27% longer than detailed metrics, suggesting that excessive measurement complexity may undermine sustained engagement. Tracked habits are 2.5 times more likely to be maintained than untracked ones, demonstrating that measurement truly drives improvement. As habits mature, progressively more nuanced metrics can enhance motivation, indicating that tracking strategies benefit from evolving alongside the goal-pursuit process. Digital versus analog tracking show equivalent effectiveness, though individual preferences strongly predict adherence. People using their preferred method are 3.1 times more likely to maintain consistent tracking. Critical limitations: When goals produce harm Despite decades of supporting research, recent investigations have identified significant potential downsides that warrant careful consideration. Researchers from leading business schools have documented that goal-setting can produce systematic harmful effects, including narrowed focus that neglects non-goal areas, increased unethical behavior, distorted risk preferences, and erosion of organizational culture. The mechanism underlying these negative effects is concerning. Intense focus on specific goals can inadvertently reduce moral awareness and enable moral disengagement. When individuals concentrate exclusively on achieving targets, they become less likely to recognize ethical implications and more likely to rationalize problematic behaviors as necessary for goal achievement. Additionally, goal failure produces measurable negative psychological effects. While successful goal attainment increases positive affect and self-esteem, failure decreases these measures, potentially creating cycles of reduced motivation and lower subsequent goal-setting. For individuals with high perfectionism, particularly socially prescribed perfectionism, defined as anxiety about others' expectations, implementation planning can paradoxically backfire, arousing negative affect and reducing goal progress. Stretch goals, extremely challenging objectives exceeding what most could achieve, require particularly careful implementation. While they can enhance performance, overly ambitious goals increase risk-taking, narrow focus dangerously, and may reduce intrinsic motivation. The SMART framework: Strengths and boundaries The SMART framework, emphasizing Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound objectives, has become the standard across education, business, and coaching. Each component addresses distinct neurobiological needs. Specificity activates the prefrontal cortex, measurability engages the reward system through clear progress indicators, and time-bound parameters create urgency that enhances attention. However, a 2025 study comparing goal-setting conditions for creative tasks found that SMART goals were no more effective than exploratory "open goals" for tasks requiring innovation or complex skill learning. Participants given precise, measurable targets performed no better than those encouraged to explore freely, suggesting that rigid frameworks may constrain progress in creative domains. This distinction highlights an essential principle. Goal-setting strategies must align with task demands. Specific, challenging goals optimize performance on tasks with clear criteria and well-defined success paths, such as sales targets and athletic performance, but may impede thinking in domains requiring innovation or complex learning. For beginners especially, open-ended goals sometimes produce superior results by maintaining flexibility and preventing premature constraint of exploration. Your evidence-based implementation framework: Seven science-backed steps 1. Conduct honest diagnostic analysis Before establishing new goals, analyze previous failures with clinical objectivity. What specific obstacles caused derailment? At what point did momentum collapse? What environmental or psychological factors undermined consistency? This diagnostic provides critical intelligence for designing effective interventions that address actual failure modes rather than idealized scenarios. 2. Establish specific, challenging objectives with measurable criteria Transform vague aspirations into concrete targets. Rather than "improve fitness," specify "complete three 30-minute cardio sessions weekly, increasing intensity by 10% monthly." Ensure goals stretch current capacity while remaining attainable through reasonable effort. This balance activates dopaminergic motivation without triggering the discouragement that accompanies unrealistic targets. 3. Externalize through written documentation Write goals explicitly, creating the external accountability artifact that increases success rates to 76%. Include not only the objective but the underlying rationale, why this goal matters, how achievement aligns with core values, and what success will enable. This cognitive encoding strengthens commitment and provides motivational reserves during inevitable difficulty. 4. Design comprehensive implementation intentions For each goal, create three to five specific if-then plans covering various scenarios. "If it's 6:30 AM on a weekday, then I will complete my morning routine for 20 minutes." "If I wake feeling unmotivated, then I will commit to the minimum viable version, 10 minutes, rather than skipping entirely." "If unexpected schedule disruptions occur, then I will reschedule to the next available two-hour window that day." Specificity defeats resistance by automating behavioral responses and eliminating in-the-moment decision-making when willpower is depleted. 5. Establish systematic tracking and accountability mechanisms Install simple, sustainable tracking systems aligned with your preferences. This might be a physical calendar marking successful days, a journal documenting daily progress, or digital applications that automate monitoring. Select your preferred method. Research confirms that preference alignment predicts adherence 3.1 times more strongly than tracking methodology. Additionally, establish accountability partnerships. Share goals with trusted individuals and commit to regular progress reporting, weekly or biweekly. This public commitment leverages social dynamics to sustain motivation when internal drive fluctuates. 6. Frame goals through approach motivation Examine whether your goals emphasize approach, attaining positive outcomes, or avoidance, preventing negative outcomes. Research consistently demonstrates that approach goals increase enjoyment, intrinsic motivation, and positive emotion. Reframe avoidance goals accordingly. Rather than "stop being sedentary," frame the goal as "become someone who moves daily and feels energized." 7. Build self-efficacy through progressive challenge Design goal sequences that build mastery experiences systematically. Begin with objectives slightly beyond current capacity, challenging enough to require genuine effort but achievable through reasonable persistence. As you accumulate successful experiences, self-efficacy strengthens, enabling progressively more ambitious targets. This approach creates the virtuous cycle where success breeds confidence, which enables greater challenges, which produce further success. Monitoring for unintended consequences As you pursue goals, maintain awareness of potential negative effects documented in recent research. Periodically assess whether intense goal focus is causing: Neglect of important non-goal areas, such as relationships, health, or ethics Increased stress or anxiety disproportionate to goal importance Rationalization of questionable behaviors in service of achievement Narrowed thinking that prevents recognition of superior alternative approaches The brain evolved as a goal-seeking organism, but effective goal pursuit requires wisdom about when to persist, when to adjust, and when to abandon objectives that produce more harm than benefit. The path forward: Integration and sustained achievement The scientific evidence establishes goal-setting as a powerful tool for performance enhancement when implemented thoughtfully. Maximum effectiveness requires goals that are specific and measurable for well-defined tasks, challenging but attainable through reasonable effort, written and tracked systematically, supported by implementation intentions specifying when and where behaviors will occur, paired with accountability systems, aligned with approach motivation, and monitored for unintended consequences. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms and psychological principles underlying goal pursuit allows you to harness goals' motivational power while avoiding common pitfalls. Your prefrontal cortex excels at planning. Your dopaminergic system drives effort through progress feedback. Your capacity for neuroplasticity ensures that goal-directed behaviors become progressively easier through repetition. The research is unambiguous. The difference between the 8% who succeed and the 92% who abandon goals is not willpower or character. It is aligned with empirically validated principles of human motivation. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Andy Honda Andy Honda, MD, Medical Executive and Consultant Andy Honda, MD, is a published clinical researcher, medical executive, consultant, and coach with extensive experience in clinical research, medical communications, and pharmaceutical marketing. Honored with awards, including Women in Medicine and Marquis Who's Who in America, and featured in the Wall Street Journal and on CBS, she is passionate about making science accessible, empowering healthier choices, and fostering professional development through speaking engagements. References: Höpfner J, Keith N. Goal missed, self hit: goal-setting, goal-failure, and their affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences. Front Psychol. 2021;12:704790. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/achieving_your_goals_an_evidence_based_approach Koole S, Van’T Spijker M. Overcoming the planning fallacy through willpower: effects of implementation intentions on actual and predicted task-completion times. Eur J Soc Psychol. 2000;30(6):873-888. Aghera A, Emery M, Bounds R, et al. A randomized trial of smart goal enhanced debriefing after simulation to promote educational actions. WestJEM. Published online January 18, 2018:112-120. Saks K. The effect of self-efficacy and self-set grade goals on academic outcomes. Front Psychol. 2024;15:1324007. Williams DM, Rhodes RE. The confounded self-efficacy construct: conceptual analysis and recommendations for future research. Health Psychology Review. 2016;10(2):113-128. Spielberg JM, Heller W, Miller GA. Hierarchical brain networks active in approach and avoidance goal pursuit. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7. Sakaki M, Murayama K, Izuma K, et al. Motivated with joy or anxiety: does approach-avoidance goal framing elicit differential reward-network activation in the brain? Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2024;24(3):469-490. Ordóñez LD, Welsh DT. Immoral goals: how goal setting may lead to unethical behavior. Current Opinion in Psychology. 2015;6:93-96. Garner LD, Mohammed R, Robison MK. Setting specific goals improves cognitive effort, self-efficacy, and sustained attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 2025;51(7):895-910. Wimmer S, Lackner HK, Papousek I, Paechter M. Goal orientations and activation of approach versus avoidance motivation while awaiting an achievement situation in the laboratory. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1552.

Written by Dr. Janet Curcio Wilson, Ecopsychologist, Educational Advocate, and Registered Art Therapist Based upon recent quantum physics research by Italian physicist, Dr. Federico Faggin, Dr. Curcio Wilson's research in depth psychology suggests synchronicities are "spiritually causal." She is the founder of "the intuitive mindset method," a proven strategy that employs synchronicities as a personal GPS system to manifest intentions. There seems to be a silent movement creeping slowly into our awareness. Have you noticed? It appears as a shift in consciousness, where the message begins as a whisper and then gradually, and seemingly without our awareness, increases in intensity. Do you feel it? Do you sense something is changing beneath the surface? It may feel like a gentle nudge or a stirring that cannot be denied at first. Yet, as time passes, this nudge begins to feel more like a push, like something that can no longer be ignored, and this nudge seems to have stages. Initially, you may feel as if something or someone is trying to get a message to you, yet it is barely audible, quite vague, and out of reach, so you may ignore it. Then, without warning, this voice gets a bit more persistent, a bit louder, and a bit clearer. You begin to pay attention, and as you do, the message gradually comes into focus. You feel called by an unseen force, which starts by asking you to think about sharing this experience. You may convince yourself that your friends might think you are a bit crazy if you share it. After all, you can barely clarify these whispered concepts for yourself. Surprisingly, for those who push through the initial fear of sharing, they find many others are receiving a similar message. How is this possible? The answer appears to be building within the field of quantum physics, specifically through the research of Italian physicist Dr. Federico Faggin. He is the inventor of the microprocessor. He published his book Irreducible in 2024,[1] wherein he suggests consciousness does not reside in the human brain. Rather, he describes the human brain as a receiver, much like a radio transmitter or a computer. He suggests the universe itself is conscious. This has profound implications for human potential and may help explain this vague awakening many people seem to be experiencing. Let us look at these implications. Although no one can prove where thoughts come from, if Faggin is right and the universe itself is conscious, with the human brain acting as a receiver, it makes sense to consider the possibility that thoughts come through us as energy. Scientists have long known the brain has electrical energy, which is why an electroencephalogram, or EEG, works. It measures the electrical impulses in the human brain and translates these impulses into waves. Scientists have also known the human heart has magnetic properties which, together with the brain, create the electromagnetic energy of the heart and brain connection, as discussed in research conducted by the HeartMath organization.[2] In this way, thoughts and feelings may be transmitted outside the human body to what classical field theory referred to as the quantum field, as described by Faraday and Maxwell.[3] It is here that electromagnetic impulses generated by the coherence of our heart and brain, when resonating at the same frequency, have the capacity to be projected into the cosmos, for example, into the quantum field. It seems we may be sending messages out into the world through our thoughts, amplified by our feelings, whether through conscious intention or unwittingly. This is where the theory of entanglement may provide a bridge between what we send out and what we receive. Entanglement theory, when originally discovered in 1935, referred to the separation of photons and electrons. Einstein discovered that when systems such as spin were adjusted in one photon, the effect on the other photon instantaneously made the exact same adjustment.[4] Even though entanglement theory remains a theoretical experiment, it suggests that atomic particles with the same composition, separated by distance, appear to have an intimate connection which enables what happens to one to immediately happen to the other. Whether this can be extrapolated from the atomic level to the electromagnetic level has yet to be proven. Yet, if humans are made of stardust and have the same composition as animals, planets, plants, minerals, and the Earth, might a conscious universe play a role in concert with the electromagnetic energy we send out into its quantum field? What might that role be? Perhaps current New Age theorists may have something viable when they suggest the universe may be listening. Our intentions might be heard by a conscious universe, and it might be speaking back to us through our thoughts and through synchronicities. Maybe that slight nudge we are hearing is the universe itself attempting to get our attention. It does not appear likely that this idea can be “proven” by the scientific method, at least at this point in history. However, if we investigate the lived experience of many Indigenous tribes who have maintained a deeply personal relationship with the natural world, we find that some tribes, such as the Shipibo of northern Peru, do not believe in coincidences. For example, this tribe suggests that when an uncanny coincidence occurs, like the synchronicities we all experience from time to time, it is “the voice of the cosmos” confirming we are on the right path. When I visited and studied this tribe for my doctoral research, I found their deep reverence for the consciousness inherent within all living things blessed them with a primordial relationship extending back millennia. They appeared to be in conversation with the universe in a way that modern civilization has largely lost due to years of domestication. I would like to leave you with this final thought. Cultural historian Thomas Berry (1999) suggested humanity has disengaged from what he referred to as “the great conversation” when we established civilizations. He stated, “The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.”[5] He believed every being has agency, meaning, and voice as the story of our cosmos unfolded. So, if that slight voice within you is trying to get your attention, perhaps it is time to listen, not in a scant or incidental manner, but to engage in “exquisite listening,” a term that suggests listening with your whole being, open to greater potentialities. My research findings[6] suggest “the voice of the cosmos,” which Indigenous peoples experience regularly, may lead us to reconsider Carl Jung’s definition of synchronicity as acausal, meaning without a cause. My findings suggest synchronicity may be spiritually causal, and we, as humans, through our thinking and feeling, may be the cause. The reason a synchronicity may hold meaning for us could be because it originated within our thoughts first and was then sent out to the quantum field. Perhaps we are being asked to sharpen our intuition so that we have the ears to hear the “voice of the cosmos” arising within our hearts, allowing its message to be respected by our thinking brain and enabling us to resonate with the frequency that supports and sustains life. The next time you experience a synchronicity, an uncanny coincidence that appears nearly magical, ask yourself, “What have I been musing about and hoping for lately? How might this uncanny coincidence have a message for me? Is it here to validate that I am on the right path, or is there something I may be missing?” Then close your eyes, sit very still, and place one hand over your heart for at least five minutes. Listen to the sounds around you as you remain open to that whispering voice. Who knows? This may be the start of a “great conversation.” Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Janet Curcio Wilson Dr. Janet Curcio Wilson, Ecopsychologist, Educational Advocate, and Registered Art Therapist Dr. Curcio Wilson is an Ecopsychologist, Educational Advocate, and Registered Art Therapist. Her work combines art and nature therapy with quantum physics and psychology in a step-by-step individualized process designed to help clients direct their life’s purpose. This psychospiritual approach anchors quantum healing by weaving the best of science with practical tools for personal transformation. As a retired educator of 49 years, Janet’s embodied approach to building the human-nature relationship provides individuals from a path toward personal harmony.. She works with individuals ages 3 to 103. References: [1] Faggin, F. (2024). Irreducible: Consciousness, life, computers, and human nature. Essentia Books. [2] Balaji, S., Nachum P., Atkinson, M., Muthu,M., Ragulskis, M., Vainoras,A.., McCraty, R.,   (2025). Heart rate variability biofeedback in a global study of the most common coherence frequencies and the impact of emotional states Scientific Reports, (2025) 15:3241. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87729-7 . [3] Franklin, J.(2018). Classical field theory. Cambridge University Press.  [4] Einstein, A., Podotsky, B., & Rosen (1935). Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Physical Review, 47(10), 777-780. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.47.777 [5] Berry, T. (2006). Evening thoughts: Reflecting on Earth as sacred community (m>E. Tucker, Ed.). Sierra Book Club Books. [6] Curcio Wilson, J. (2025) The mandorla pathway: Synchronicity’s regenesis of the human–nature relationship (Doctoral dissertation). Pacifica Graduate Institute. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global

An advanced law degree that focuses on taxation provides specialized expertise for those who want more than is found in a basic legal degree. This credential qualifies professionals to work in various law, accounting, and policy positions. This is something quite a few people opt for to get ahead in tax careers. An LLM in Taxation  is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of complex tax systems and their practical application. The program blends legal theory with real-world problem-solving to prepare professionals for advanced tax roles. Through structured coursework and specialized study areas, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how tax law operates across individuals, businesses, and governments.  Core Principles of Tax Law Students first learn the basic principles that govern federal income tax. They discover how governments derive revenue to provide public programs. Analyzing statutes, regulations, and court decisions trains business students to think analytically. Participants learn how to read and understand complicated legal jargon through these courses. Corporate Taxation The deal with corporate taxes is a big part of the curriculum. In this lesson, learners discover how companies are taxed on profits and how distributions impact shareholders. This is a program that encompasses issues regarding mergers, acquisitions & reorganizations. This module prepares participants to advise corporate clients in managing risk. International Taxation Concepts The era of globalization has led to an increase in cross-border transactions. International tax rules are covered in-depth in the programs. Under this structure, students review treaties, foreign tax credits, and double taxation matters . This can make lessons for future advisors about how taxation influences multinational businesses. Estate and Gift Taxation A major focus of advanced tax classes is planning for wealth transfer. Courses explain ways to minimize taxes on the transfer of assets. Learners explore the gift tax, the estate tax, and how to keep the family fortune. Those who advise individuals and families on legacy planning have something to gain from this knowledge. Tax Procedure and Administration It is important to realize how tax laws are enforced. It includes audits, appeals, and litigation with the tax authorities. Students discover different taxpayer rights, and the agencies of the state and representation. That practical knowledge sets future practitioners up for practical disputes. Partnership Taxation Many businesses are structured as partnerships, making this area a key part of tax studies. Courses examine how partnerships and pass-through entities are taxed and how this treatment differs from that of traditional corporations. Students learn about partnership formation, income allocation, and distributions among partners. These skills are essential for advising professional firms, investment groups, and closely held businesses. Ethical Considerations in Tax Practice Tax practice sits at the intersection of law and ethics, making professional integrity essential. Courses address issues such as professional responsibility, conflicts of interest, and the obligation to provide honest and accurate representation. Students learn how ethical standards guide decision-making in complex tax matters, reinforcing the principle that with specialized knowledge comes significant responsibility. Tax Policy and Reform Tax systems are a reflection of the choices and priorities of society. Graduate study incorporates the investigation of the ways that law influences behavior and economic gains. Students assess change proposals and their likely impacts. Participants engage in these discussions to prepare themselves to play an active role in policy debates. Research and Writing Skills Tax professionals must be able to communicate well. Courses emphasize legal research, statutory interpretation, and technical writing. That may consist of writing client memos, briefs, and planning documents. Written analysis that can be developed undoubtedly for future advocacy and advisory roles. Specialized Electives Members select from among electives suited to their interests. Examples include state tax, employee benefit, or property tax. Focused research enables students to specialize in specific areas of the industry. Electives can guide your career path and broaden your knowledge. Networking and Practical Experience Most of the programs provide the students with experiential learning opportunities. Clinics, externships, or internships place students in actual practice contexts. They help the networking process and give a glimpse into the day-to-day legal work. Hands-on learning enhances classroom instruction. Career Paths After Graduation Graduates work in law firms, accounting organizations, and government agencies. Some give guidance to people or households, others to enterprises or nonprofit teams. The qualification leads to teaching as well as policy analysis jobs. This training is used by many to step ahead in existing careers, directly or indirectly, or to search for a different career altogether. Conclusion A graduate education in tax is more than just technical training. It promotes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and real-world application. Graduates of this program become trusted advisors and are the sources of truth that influence financial choices made for individuals and organizations. The knowledge gained benefits both their clients and society at large.

Written by Vibecke Garnaas, New Earth Strategist New Earth Strategist, certified spiritual coach, and published author with 17+ years guiding awakening souls through 1,500+ transformative channeling sessions and globally recognized Spiritual Quest Podcast. As a leader, you’ve always thrived on momentum, solving problems, moving fast, and holding space for others. But what happens when the drive fades, and clarity feels out of reach? These moments of stillness aren’t signs of failure, they’re invitations to evolve. You might find yourself asking: Am I still aligned with my mission? Why does my work feel so heavy? Is this burnout, or is something deeper unfolding? These questions are not signs of failure. They are signals of expansion. You are not stuck or lost. You are leveling up. Recognizing the signs of this transformation is the first step toward embracing your role as a New Earth Leader. New Earth Leadership Motivational culture often tells us that leveling up feels like a triumph. But sometimes, it feels like stillness. It feels like spaciousness. It feels like silence. These moments of stillness are not setbacks, they are the sacred pause that invites you to step into a new way of leading. This is where real transformation begins, an invitation into New Earth Leadership. New Earth Leadership is not about accelerating harder or pursuing endless upward motion. It’s about anchoring more deeply into presence, wisdom, and truth. Our world is ready for leaders who nurture sustainability, compassion, and genuine connection, not through force, but through the gentle, unwavering power of their being. When you feel called to slow down, to listen more deeply, and recalibrate your course, this is not a step back. This is the essence of New Earth Leadership, a sacred act of aligning with the next, more authentic phase of your evolution. You are moving, not away from purpose, but toward a more expansive, vibrant expression of your mission, co-creating a loving and awakened world. Related:  How to Channel Your Soul’s Wisdom for Global Impact in 5 Steps 6 signs you are leveling up 1. Feeling disconnected from old roles You no longer resonate with the identities you once wore. This isn’t apathy, it is your alignment shifting. You might think, "I used to know exactly who I was. Now, I’m not so sure." That’s growth in action, and it’s a reflection of the Law of Resonance, what you align with internally, you naturally attract. As your energy field expands, old patterns fall away, clearing space for new opportunities and relationships that match your evolving frequency. 2. Your purpose feels like an echo What once drove you now feels distant. This isn’t a loss, it’s your life making space for something new and more aligned with you. You might ask, "Why doesn’t this excite me anymore?" The answer lies in the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy is never lost, only transformed. The echo of your old purpose is your field releasing what no longer serves you, making room for a new, more meaningful direction. 3. You are drawn to stillness, not stimulation Instead of reaching for more, you seek less. This longing for quiet is your system recalibrating to receive clarity. When you say, "I just want quiet," know that your nervous system is yearning for coherence. It’s the Law of Rhythm at work, everything moves in cycles, and this phase is the pause between inhale and exhale, between what was and what’s to come. Embracing this rhythm helps you trust the process and surrender the urge to rush forward. 4. You are questioning everything Your breath slows, and your body softens as the energy shifts within you. Beliefs, goals, and values are placed under gentle review. Here, the Law of Polarity reveals itself – growth often mirrors contraction. Before we expand, we must first contract. Embracing both the emptiness and the fullness, the loss and the gain, opens the gateway to true expansion. 5. You feel spacious, not empty Emptiness can feel like absence, but spaciousness is pure presence awaiting form. You are becoming the container for what’s next. If you sense hollowness, reframe it as openness. This, too, is the Law of Rhythm – all of life moves in cycles. Spaciousness marks the pause between cycles, the womb of potential, not the void of loss. 6. You are experiencing synchronicities Meaningful coincidences and resonant patterns begin to guide your way. This is the Law of Correspondence in motion, as above, so below, as within, so without. Your internal shifts are reflected in your external world. As you recalibrate, your environment, relationships, and opportunities adjust and align to support your next phase. How to embrace the sacred pause Now that you recognize the signs of leveling up, you may be wondering how to move through this powerful, in-between space. The sacred pause is not a void to be filled, but a fertile ground for new growth. Here are heartfelt practices to help you honor this time, invite clarity, and support your next evolution. These steps will support you in finding clarity, cultivating deeper presence, and embracing your personal evolution as it unfolds. Anchor in breath. Clarity comes from breathing deeper, not thinking harder. Avoid labels. Don’t rush to define this phase as "stuck" or "lost." Create rituals of stillness. Try morning silence, evening reflection, or breathwork. Trust the reconfiguration. Your field is aligning with a higher harmonic. Remember, the law of free will is always at play during this sacred pause. While the universal laws may guide your process, you remain the ultimate creator. You choose how to respond as things unfold, whether to resist or flow, contract or expand, cling or release. Each choice carries the power to shape your journey and call in new levels of clarity and growth. Leveling up is not always loud. Sometimes, it is a whisper. A pause. A breath. In these moments of stillness, you are invited to listen deeply, to honor the unity that pulses within your own heart and the hearts that surround you. Let the silence be your teacher. Allow the breath to guide you to new levels of awareness and connection. You are not alone on this journey. We rise together, heart to heart, spirit to spirit, igniting a movement of healing and awakening across this earth. Trust the pause. Trust the calling within you. As you open to this new way of leadership, you step boldly into the role of torchbearer, one who shines light, inspires unity, and embraces transformation for the highest good of all. The world is waiting for your radiance. Breathe, pause, and lead the way. Related: Become the Peace – The Inner Work That Changes Everything Channeled transmission As a trans channeler, I serve as a conduit for messages from higher consciousness, spoken through me and recorded in real time. The following transmission was not authored in the traditional sense, it was received directly from the Chief of the Holy Land, a spiritual archetype embodying ancestral wisdom, unity, and the sacred fire of transformation. It is offered here not as doctrine, but as a living frequency, one that may resonate with your own inner knowing and ignite the torchbearer’s spirit within you. “You have chosen to walk in unity. Many of you have already felt the Oneness within your hearts and are now taking inspired action. Self-love is the light that will birth the new world. But it is only the beginning. Now, as you experience unconditional love between hearts, you ignite a force within the torchbearer’s spirit, a vibration that burns within the fire of each heart, within the heart of Mother Earth, and within the holy land itself. This fire is now yours to wield. But you must seek the silence within your heart, listen carefully to what your soul is now sending, and align with the speed of its vibration to manifest the movement within yourself, your group, and your community. You stand at the threshold of a new year, a time of opening. Opening your community. Opening your hearts. Opening to the understanding that your soul’s spirit was created in unity. Now, you are asked to embrace your soul’s purpose, to stand united in the strength, power, and force of the torchbearer’s spirit. We need you. We need the resources of your soul. The time has come to give back to Mother Earth, to humanity, to the universe as a whole. It is all free will, dear friends. You choose the steps you take. You choose to embrace or to walk your own path. The choice is yours. So open your hearts. Allow your soul energy to move. Let the movement arise within your group and take this community into the world to manifest what is now needed to support Mother Earth and all living beings.” This message serves as a reminder that the journey of leadership is not one of isolation but of unity and co-creation. If you’re ready to step fully into your role as a New Earth Leader, let’s embark on this transformative journey together. I invite you to   book a Discovery Call  today to take the first step toward aligning your mission with your highest potential and co-creating the future you are meant to lead. The world is waiting for your light. Trust the pause, embrace the calling, and lead the way into a new era of unity and transformation. Related: Bridging Dimensions and Guiding Souls to Their True Frequency – Interview   with Vibecke Garnaas Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Vibecke Garnaas Vibecke Garnaas, New Earth Strategist Vibecke Garnaas is a New Earth Strategist, certified spiritual coach, and a Channeler for higher consciousness, offering a unique blend of holistic guidance, multidimensional healing, and personal transformation. With over 17 years of experience and 1,500+ life-changing channeling sessions, she empowers awakening souls to align with their purpose and embrace their divine essence. Through her globally recognized Spiritual Quest Podcast, signature mentorship programs, and transformative retreats, Vibecke creates uplifting spaces for healing and awakening, inspiring conscious co-creators to shine their light and foster planetary transformation.