I've said the phrase "I'm a really lucky gal" for most of my life, and interestingly, I often say it right after someone tells me no. Not because rejection feels good, but because somewhere along the way, I stopped believing that no automatically means never.

Recently, that mindset was put to the test while I was preparing to sell my Mercedes Sprinter camper van. I wanted to have it serviced before completing the sale, but the dealership told me appointments were booked months out and cancellations basically never happen.

Still, I stayed optimistic, kept the lines of communication open, checked in consistently, and made sure I was ready in case an opportunity appeared. And sure enough, one did. What unfolded was more than just a scheduling win. It became a reminder of how mindset, communication, and action quietly work together to shift outcomes.

In this episode, we talk about what it really means to think of yourself as "lucky," how persistence differs from pressure, and why preparation often plays a bigger role than we realize. Today's Wise Walk centers on your relationship with rejection, possibility, and the small but powerful ways you can actively participate in changing your own luck.

• How many times have you been rejected after putting yourself out there for something you truly wanted, and you chose to move on simply because you received an answer?
• How often do you respond to rejection with the belief that it may be "no for now," but you keep the door open for future possibilities?
• When you face a setback, do you maintain an optimistic mindset that good fortune can still find its way to you?
• Are you able to communicate your desires clearly and respectfully without placing demands on others?
• Can you expand your network by staying open, engaged, and connected with people who may help shift outcomes?
• Are you preparing yourself to act when opportunities arise rather than waiting until after things change?
• What actions are you willing to take today to create openings that do not yet appear visible?
• Can you strengthen your luck mindset by aligning belief, communication, and consistent action?
• Are you allowing yourself to appreciate the process, including the small wins and unexpected moments along the way?
• When things finally shift in your favor, do you pause to feel gratitude and genuine appreciation?

Hopefully, that gratitude mindset can help us move through the rough patches and those feelings of stuckness, reminding us that, in general, the energy does shift.

As always, I'd love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so feel free to reach out and share. And be sure to tune in next Thursday for another Wise Walk.

Until then, please remember to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride On.

In this episode:

• [02:46] I'm in the process of selling my 2019 Mercedes Sprinter camper van. I plan to get it serviced at the Mercedes dealership before selling it.
• [04:12] This reduced the anxiety level of the new owner as well. My appointment was booked for February 20th, but we needed an earlier appointment.
• [05:04] They were booking several months out and were already all booked up. I'm a lucky gal! Put me on the cancellation list.
• [07:01] I kept a positive mindset and kept checking in. On one of my check-ins there was a no-show. I really am a lucky gal.
• [09:05] Getting this done ahead of schedule makes the transaction even more smooth. I also made a new friend and built rapport.
• [10:04] This boils down to three key components. First is mindset. I have a mindset that I'm a really lucky gal.
• [11:03] I also communicate, and I'm not afraid to get a no answer. Every no is one step closer to a yes. Action and preparing myself are also part of this plan.
• [12:03] I had to be ready to take action when I got that yes.
• [13:31] My mom always said that your luck factor increases depending on how many individuals are in your network.
• [15:20] I've used this mindset in many different areas of my life. For instance I knew things would work out when I sold my St. Augustine home.
• [16:44] I know that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. The more I prepare for an outcome I seek, the more likely it will happen.
• [17:40] Sometimes it's hard to be patient when you have a mindset of good fortune, and things aren't going your way.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Luck, in my life, has rarely felt like random chance, and much more like the result of mindset, clear communication, and taking action long before the outcome actually shifts." - Mary Tess
  • "Preparation is one of the most underrated forms of optimism, because it reflects the belief that something will eventually work out, even when there's no immediate evidence that it will." - Mary Tess
  • "I've discovered that keeping the lines of communication open often creates opportunities that would never exist if I simply accepted the first no and walked away." - Mary Tess
  • "Gratitude plays a powerful role in sustaining resilience, because when you remember past wins, it becomes easier to trust that future shifts are still possible." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

The past week felt like it stayed with me longer than I expected. After getting back from New York and everything surrounding my Aunt Ronnie's service, I noticed I was still sitting with that feeling of surrender I talked about in the last episode. There were so many moving parts with the travel and the weather, and even though everything worked out, I could feel how tired I was from trying to hold it all together. What helped was coming back, again and again, to what I could actually control, and letting the rest be what it was.

As I was settling back into my routine, I started thinking about alignment and how I find my footing when things feel uncertain. I'm always learning, always taking something new in, and recently I started a course on the Celtic Wheel of the Year. On the very first call, we were invited to look at our values, and I'll be honest, I didn't think much would come up. As I sat with it, I realized some of my values have changed because I've changed. That clarity felt grounding in a way I didn't expect. On today's Wise Walk, I invite you to slow down and spend some time with the values that are guiding you right now, and notice how they may be shaping the way you're moving through this season of your life.

• What values feel most important to you right now, whether that's your top ten or just a few that truly stand out?
• What qualities do you most admire in others, and how do those reflect the values you hold?
• Which values are guiding you in this present moment, especially as you move through uncertainty or challenge?
• How are these values helping you envision the person you are becoming?
• What values feel connected to who you are right now and who you want to be moving forward?
• How do these values shape your choices, actions, and daily habits?
• In what ways do your values act as motivators that help you go after what matters most to you?
• How are your values showing up in your life right now, both in visible and subtle ways?
• How can your values serve as living guides that support your highest and best self?
• How do your values define you when you are at your best?
• How do your values influence the way you show up in relationships with others?
• How can you honor shared values in your relationships while allowing space for others to live those values in their own way?
• Where might greater clarity around your values help you communicate boundaries or make agreements with others?
• How can you create more alignment and mutual respect in your relationships by naming what truly matters to you?
• How can you apply your values awareness to your career or daily work?
• Are there areas in your career or relationships where something feels off or out of alignment?
• When you notice imbalance or discomfort, how can you return to your values as a compass to guide your next choice or action?

I'd love to hear what values are guiding you right now. Whether it's your top ten or just one or two that feel especially alive for you, notice how you're holding space for them in this season and how they're shaping the choices you're making.

Thank you so much for being here and for showing up with such openness and self-awareness. I'll meet you back here next Thursday for our Wise Walk, and until then, prioritize fun, read the signs, trust your path, and get your Stride On.

In this episode:

• [03:23] How the Celtic Wheel of the Year is just another opportunity for us to align with the universe, seasons, and the flow of nature.
• [04:26] As I defined my values, I realized that over time some of them have shifted. Knowing your values serves as a living guide for all of us.
• [06:12] As I went on my own Wise Walk, I realized that focusing on my values was more difficult than I thought. It took me a while to target my top 10.
• [07:02] Kindness is a fallback value for me. I also love being of service to others. Love and gratitude are very connected, but I honed in on love.
• [08:16] Other big ones for me include learning and growth, adventure in nature, and openness. Balance and freedom were also very important to me.
• [09:16] I also wanted to show up authentically as myself. Health is also a priority and part of my top 10.
• [11:20] My top 10 are kindness, service, love, learning, adventure in nature, openness, balance, freedom, authenticity, and health.
• [13:10] One of my values is health. This is also the value of many of my friends, but the way health shows up is unique for each of us.
• [15:48] I was speaking with a client about career values and growth. They've now admitted that this isn't a value that they're passionate about anymore.
• [16:55] They now have a career value of stability. Getting clear on this was very powerful.
• [18:24] Identifying my values as a living guide is going to increase my decision making and help me feel more aligned with my choices.
• [19:02] This exercise will also help reduce internal conflict or conflict with others.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Living in alignment doesn't mean life gets easier, it means you trust yourself more when it gets hard." - Mary Tess
  • "Your values are not rules to follow, they are reminders that bring you home to yourself." - Mary Tess
  • "Clarity comes when you stop asking what you should want and start listening to what truly matters to you." - Mary Tess
  • "When you live by your values, your choices begin to feel lighter and more intentional." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• The Celtic Wheel Of The Year

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

This past week really tested my need for control. I had a lot going on emotionally as I was getting ready to travel back to New York to honor the passing of my Aunt Ronnie. There was a snowstorm moving across the country, flights were being delayed and canceled, and plans kept changing. Emotions were already high, and with everything unfolding the way it was, I had to keep reminding myself that there were things outside of my control that I just had to accept.

As the week unfolded, I could feel anxiety start to creep in with all the unknowns. I can't control the weather or the flights, but I can control how present I stay and how I choose to show up in the middle of it. This is a reflection on surrender and releasing that grip. I share a story from my teenage years as a lifeguard, helping a frightened little girl learn how to float, and how breath, trust, and letting go allowed her to be supported by the water. On today's Wise Walk, I invite you to slow down and reflect on where you may be holding on too tightly, and become aware of what you can control or release to help you discover peace and freedom amidst the uncertainty.

• When you notice anxiety, stress, fear, or a lack of safety coming up, how much of that is a need for control, and how much might be a trigger from something else?
• Are you able to identify the root of that emotion and consider how you might respond differently so you can reduce anxiety, stress, or fear?
• How do you gain awareness and focus on the present, when you're facing resistance or situations that are outside of your control?
• Is there an area of your life where you realize that you may be trying to control something that isn't actually yours to control?
• As you take yourself on a Wise Walk, can you notice what's triggering your stress and consider whether more realistic expectations might help you feel supported and grounded?
• Can you visualize yourself floating, breathing, and being supported by what's around you, trusting that you are safe and worthy, exactly as you are?
• Are there tasks or goals in your life that are distracting you from where you want to go, or are they supporting you in feeling more at peace and showing up the way you want?
• Can you feel good about the small steps you're taking so that even when things don't go as planned, you know you that did what you could?
• If circumstances don't allow you to show up in the way you originally intended, how might you still be present in a different way, whether in spirit, intention, or connection?
• Can you shift your energy away from needing things to happen in a very specific way and open yourself to new ways of participating through the things you can control?

It's my hope that we can float together. That we can surrender, release, and find a little more peace, letting Mother Nature, the water, and the elements support us along the way.

As always, I'd love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so please feel free to reach out and send me a DM.

I'm sending good thoughts your way and hoping that you feel supported in all the ways that really matter to you. I look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [03:44] When I was in high school I was a lifeguard at the Marriott Hotel. I remember helping a five-year-old girl who had a fear of floating.
• [05:55] I coached her on how to let go and to let the water do the work for her. She needed to release anxiety, stress, and control. The more she released her tension and grip, the easier it became for her to float.
• [06:19] This is true in life. If we're resisting, we're fighting against the grain. Accepting safety and support can appear in a way that we're not used to.
• [07:01] The art of surrendering is what will keep us afloat. I needed to remind myself of this during this stressful week with so many factors coming into play.
• [08:08] The best thing I can do is surrender and do the things I can control. We need to see surrender as a strength. It's not defeat.
• [09:20] I'm also separating from holding on too tightly, expecting things to happen the way that I want them to.
• [10:47] I feel safe and supported right now from the Universe and the individuals who decide whether it's safe to fly or not.
• [11:08] I'm going to stay in my lane, and visualize myself floating in the water.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "There are things outside of my control that I just have to accept, and I have to do the best I can with what's in front of me." - Mary Tess
  • "We can't control the weather or the airlines or the flights, but we can control certain things in our life, and we can also surrender what we can't control." - Mary Tess
  • "When we let go and release the attachment to what we think should happen, it allows us to move through things with more peace." - Mary Tess
  • "Trying to control things we can't control just creates more stress, more anxiety, and more fear of uncertainty." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• Colette Baron-Reid

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Over the past eight months, I've lost two dear loved ones who had a profound impact on my life. They lived fully, with vibrant energy, wisdom, kindness, and deep care for others. While I'm heartbroken that I no longer get to experience their physical presence here on earth, I also feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the love I was able to receive from them, love that was unconditional and deeply shaping. One of them passed just yesterday, so forgive me if my emotions rise as I share, but in the midst of the sadness, I find comfort in knowing that even though I can no longer see them or hear their voices, their spirit lives on. And the love and impact they had on me and so many others remains.

This episode is a reflection on that truth that love and impact don't disappear when someone is gone. They continue through memory, through values, through the ways we show up for others because of what we were given or what we received. On today's Wise Walk, I invite you to slow down with me and reflect on the people you've loved and lost, and consider how their presence still guides you, shapes you, and lives on through you.

• As you reflect on the loved ones you have lost, how does their love and impact continue to live on in you today?
• In what ways were they a role model for you, and which of their qualities are you consciously choosing to carry forward for yourself or the next generation?
• What messages do you still receive from them, and how do you notice their guidance when you are at a crossroads or facing an important decision?
• What stories from your past bring their presence alive, and how can you retell those stories so others can appreciate how they lived, showed up, and influenced you?
• Is there someone in your life who has recently experienced a loss, and how might you invite them to share a meaningful story about the person or animal they loved?
• If you are unsure what to ask, what real-life challenge could you share while inviting their loved one's wisdom through a question like, what advice do you think they would offer me now?
• What other ways come to mind for helping someone you care about honor a memory and keep it alive through conversation, curiosity, or shared reflection?
• How are you showing up and leading by example for the people you interact with each day?
• In what ways is your love and impact staying with others, long after the moment has passed?
• How are you mentoring others and sharing your wisdom from a place of openness, authenticity, and unconditional care?
• How are you living your values in a way that inspires others to find their passions, live by what matters most to them, and step into their highest and best self?

I hope that whatever you and your loved ones are going through, that you have the ability to start looking at the love and impact around you, both living and passed on. Cherish it, because that's what this is all about.

As always, I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so feel free to reach out and tune in next Thursday for another Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [02:59] There's a saying that we die twice. The first time is when we physically die, and the last time is when people stop saying your name or the memory of your spirit and impact dies.
• [04:00] I'm grateful we get to keep memories alive by holding our loved ones in our hearts, sharing what we learned from them, and continuing values and traditions they impressed upon us.
• [05:02] My loved ones are mentors that have kept me grounded and kept me in check. I love the acceptance and willingness to be vulnerable with each other.
• [06:04] My friend's dad recently passed, and she's been sharing stories about her connection with him. We have the ability to keep each other's loved ones' memories alive by being curious.
• [08:09] I asked my new friend a question about her father, and she started telling me stories about his time in the Navy. He respected rank, but he wasn't afraid to put his foot down and even told an Admiral why something wouldn't work.
• [09:12] It was wonderful to hear her voice light up when she shared a story about her father who showed up and was able to lead by example.
• [10:15] When I reflect on the love and impact of my loved ones, I think of their magical confidence and how they led by example.
• [11:29] The lesson my uncle was trying to teach me is if you have self-belief anything is possible.
• [12:02] I hope I can instill love and impact in others. The beautiful thing about loss is that you take stock of what you have.
• [13:38] The other big takeaway is how each of us have the ability to make each other feel special. Feeling seen, heard, and understood is impactful and carries legacy.
• [14:29] There is no direct path for healing from grief. If you are experiencing any grief, any loss, just know that you have love and support even in the Striders community and it takes as long as it takes.
• [15:05] Show up and be curious and caring for those that you care about.
• [16:03] I'm going to approach the services of Aunt Ronnie with the mindset of looking around the room and gathering stories about how her love and impact touched so many.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "I'm grateful for the fact that we get to keep the memory of whoever we cherish alive by talking about them, by holding them in our heart, and sharing what we learned from them." - Mary Tess
  • "My loved ones have served as mentors, both when they were here in this earthly presence, and they continue to do so, because I can still hear their voices in my head." - Mary Tess
  • "One of the things that I cherish about some of the loved ones that I have in my life is this acceptance and willingness to be vulnerable with each other. When we do that, we can learn from each other." - Mary Tess
  • "We're not striving for perfection. We're striving for being authentic, for really stepping into our own power and just loving and having positive influence in each other's lives." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• Colette Baron-Reid

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I feel like there's been a lot of conversation lately about the Chinese zodiac and the year we're moving out of, which is the Year of the Wood Snake. That year comes to an end on February 16, and then on February 17, according to the Chinese zodiac, we move into the Year of the Fire Horse. Even if you don't follow the Chinese New Year, I've really appreciated how this way of marking time gives us an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and check our own reality.

In this episode, I share why the energy of the Wood Snake has felt so accurate for this past year, with its focus on shedding, releasing, and doing the inner work that helps clear the way. I share what this year of the Wood Snake has looked like for me, including the purging, the releasing, and the work of letting go of what drains my peace. On today's Wise Walk, we focus on creating space and readiness so that when the energy of the Fire Horse arrives, it's the things that truly matter that gain momentum.

• Are you open to using this conversation as a way to go deeper within yourself and notice what feels meaningful right now?
• What are you willing to look at, release, forgive, or let go of so you can make space for the energy of the Fire Horse?
• Are you open to the opportunities that this new energy may bring?
• What limiting beliefs in your life are you ready to let go of?
• What is this snake energy calling you to release so you can make space for your highest and best self?
• If you feel aligned emotionally or energetically, what physical or material possessions are you ready to release?
• Are there emails, apps, conversations, or items in your space that you are ready to let go of?
• How can you reflect on both the snake and horse's energies to ready yourself for a year when action meets purpose?
• As you reflect on the past year, what are you ready to release and how do you envision your own rebirth?
• Are there relationships you need to release and relationships you want to nourish and invest in more fully?
• What tasks have you been avoiding that you could clear now so they do not drain your energy moving forward?
• What limiting beliefs can you make peace with and reframe through gratitude?
• What is something you need to forgive yourself for so your energy can move forward freely?
• What unhealthy habits are no longer serving you and are ready to be released?
• In what other ways can you take yourself on a Wise Walk and reflect on the shift from snake energy to horse energy?
• What resonated with you in this episode and what ideas feel like they are yours to carry forward?

I feel like this snake energy has helped me release what was draining me and let go of things that no longer light me up. That readiness is what allows me to invite in the Fire Horse energy of opportunity, action, and purpose, and I hope that's true for you as well.

As always, I'd love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so feel free to reach out and share. I also look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk. Until then, please be sure to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on.

In this episode:

• [03:11] I love how the Chinese zodiac is represented by a different animal each year. I was born in the year of the Tiger. The animal is also paired with an element.
• [04:05] As I look back on this past year, I feel very aligned with the year of the wood snake. It represents deep inner work and the need to shed. It represents an opportunity to let go of anything that drains your peace.
• [05:03] I've been releasing things this past year. When I step into the year of the fire horse it's all about taking action and gaining momentum.
• [06:06] If you're carrying anything with you into the year of the fire horse, that's what's going to gain momentum.
• [07:08] I've been thinking about areas of my life that I want to release, so I won't bring them into this next year.
• [08:01] I've also been working on limiting beliefs around my body, and I've been working on my ability to squat.
• [09:06] As I work on my squat I say to myself, "I am safe". I don't want to move forward with a limiting belief.
• [10:04] One of the ways that we can reframe limiting beliefs is to usher them out and find gratitude and reinforce that we are safe and doing our best.
• [11:08] I also share a limiting belief a friend of mine had about her sleep hygiene.
• [12:16] In the past year we've acknowledged our limiting beliefs, and like the snake we're going to release them. We are going to create positive self-talk and give ourselves support when we need it.
• [14:14] When purging material possessions, I asked what I would miss if it were lost in some type of disaster. If I wouldn't miss these things, then it's a clear go. Another question to ask is would I replace them with the money that I have?
• [17:26] You have the opportunity to get rid of anything that is draining you or preventing you from being your highest self at this moment.
• [21:09] There are so many areas of my life where I feel ready. I feel like the snake energy has helped me release things that have drained me.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "The year of the Wood Snake represents an opportunity to let go of anything that drains your peace and to disconnect from anything that prevents you from stepping into your full power." - Mary Tess
  • "If you carry something into the year of the Fire Horse, that is what will gain momentum in your life." - Mary Tess
  • "Whenever we have a limiting belief, we get to counteract that with positive self-talk." - Mary Tess
  • "Just because something had meaning in the past doesn't mean it has meaning in the present in the same way." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• Colette Baron-Reid

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I've been thinking a lot about intention setting lately and how many different ways there are to get clear on what we want to attract. Some people love choosing a word for the year, others don't resonate with that at all, and that reflection led me to revisit the tools I've used over time to stay grounded and inspired. What matters most isn't the method itself, but whether we're carving out space to reflect, get creative, and really listen to what's calling us forward.

Today, we'll dive into how vision boarding has supported me in the past and how a simple, pen-and-paper practice I learned from Colette Baron-Reid opened me up to new possibilities. On this Wise Walk, we slow down, check in with ourselves, and explore an intention-setting practice that feels aligned, accessible, and supportive of where we are right now.

• Are you carving out time for yourself to get inspired, set goals, and create a vision for how you want to show up for yourself this year, whether that's through a word, a vision board, or something entirely your own?
• What are the ways you can nurture yourself that feel aligned for you, and are you clear on what you want to attract in the coming year?
• Are there creative ways for you to engage both your left and right brain by putting pen to paper, creating art, or visualizing something you make by your own hand that represents what you wish for this year?
• What really matters to you in this moment, what do you want to attract, and what is going to give you meaning?
• Who do you want to be, how do you want to show up for yourself and the people you love, and what goals will support you in moving toward your longer-term vision?
• What do you hope to attract this year, and what choices or practices could you implement now that would set you up for success five years from today?
• If you can visualize it or imagine it, can you find images, draw, or write your intentions in a way that brings them to life and allows you to see yourself as if these dreams have already happened?

I hope that as you create your own works of art, you take a moment to appreciate them and to honor your creative spirit. That creativity is supported by you, by this community, and by spirit and the wide open space of possibilities around you.

As always, I'd love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so feel free to reach out and share. Be sure to tune in next Thursday for another Wise Walk and conversation.

In this episode:

• [03:42] A vision board is a collage of images that represents your dreams, your wishes, and your goals.
• [04:07] I used a portfolio to collect visuals that would serve as a guiding light or a North Star to highlight what was really important to me.
• [05:09] At one point, I used a picture of a microphone to symbolize using my voice which is ironic, since I'm now a podcaster. Setting visual intentions helps prevent our limiting beliefs.
• [06:15] It's a beautiful thing, when we create an intention and then receive it.
• [07:04] There is scientific data that backs up having a practice that helps you imagine what your positive future could look like and seeing it helps bring those opportunities to light.
• [08:33] Colette Baron-Reid's webinar was awesome. Her tool includes taking a piece of paper and drawing a dot in the middle with a pen.
• [09:01] The dot represents you, and a circle around the dot represents your higher power. We're inviting the forces that want us to be our better selves into the conversation. There's also a square that represents our limiting beliefs.
• [10:14] The border around the box represents possibilities that we haven't even imagined.
• [11:11] In my past, I had been limiting myself to using one process. This freehand creative process is another tool to achieve what we want.
• [12:03] My goal for this year is to find a home, and the feeling I want to create is harmony or a sense of harmony.
• [13:06] I am open to whatever I'm envisioning and however I achieve it. I am open to possibilities.
• [14:37] The point of the word of the year or whatever you envision is to keep it front and center and keep your brain focused on it.
• [15:19] My frequency of attracting my home is harmony, and it feels like I'm in full alignment with nature. I'm grounded and healthy and surrounded by love and support.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Self-awareness and reflecting on what is important to you gives you clarity and deeper understanding of what it is you want to manifest." - Mary Tess
  • "Whatever we want to imagine for ourselves and envision, there are multiple ways that we can go about it." - Mary Tess
  • "The moment you loosen your grip on limits, new possibilities start to appear." - Mary Tess
  • "The more fun we have in creating this vision for our future selves, the more tangible it feels, the more fun-loving it feels. When we are in that feeling state as if it's already true, then the universe is like, yes, I want to get that for you." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• Colette Baron-Reid

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

At the start of a new year, I always notice a shift. It's subtle, but it's there. A little lightness. A sense that I can pause, take stock, and step into something new. Even though it's just one calendar year turning into the next, it still feels like permission to begin again. To set new intentions. To let the past be the past. I don't overthink it. I just pay attention to that sense of possibility.

As I look back on the year behind me, it wasn't especially easy. There were moments that felt heavy, uncertain, and stretching in ways I didn't expect. Yet, when I slow down and really look, I can also see where pleasure lived right alongside that expansion. Travel, learning, connection, small moments that mattered more than I realized at the time. It reminds me how misleading it can be to label a year as good or bad when most years are a mix of both.

My word for this year is bloom, and it feels honest for where I am right now. Instead of evaluating the past year through success or failure, I'm choosing to look at it through the lenses of pleasure and expansion. Noticing what felt nourishing. Noticing what stretched me. On this Wise Walk, we'll slow down and reflect on where those two experiences showed up, and what they might be opening up as we move into the year ahead.

• As you reflect on the past year, what was the overall feeling you experienced, if you had to name just one feeling?
• Did the year feel joyful, satisfying, like you were in your groove, or did it feel heavier or harder than you expected?
• Can you write down that overall feeling without judging it, changing it, or trying to rationalize your way into a different one?
• As you look back on the year, where did you experience pleasure, whether through moments, activities, trips, connections, or things you gifted yourself?
• Where did you feel waves of pleasure, satisfaction, joy, appreciation, or gratitude, and can you document those experiences in detail?
• As you reflect on your list of pleasurable moments, are there any expansion experiences that stand out, meaning challenges or uncomfortable situations that prompted you to grow or evolve?
• Which of those expansion experiences felt hard, uncomfortable, or even necessary at the time, and how did they ultimately build competence or strength?
• As you review your lists, can you look back through your calendar or memory to see if there is anything you missed that deserves acknowledgment or appreciation?
• Can you recognize that whatever you moved through, whether pleasurable or challenging, you found a way forward, and can you offer yourself credit for that?

I look forward to continuing this journey of noticing pleasure and expansion with you as the year unfolds.

As always, I'd love to hear what stood out for you from today's episode, so feel free to reach out and share.

Then tune in next Thursday for another Wise Walk. Until then, happy, happy New Year.

In this episode:

• [06:58] When I started this reflection exercise, I listed some pleasurable moments for me over the last year.
• [07:17] I had some awesome trips including a trip to Ireland, seeing a Wrexham football match, exploring Nantucket, New York, Long Beach, and my cross-country road trip.
• [08:14] I feel so much pleasure and gratitude for these trips.
• [09:02] Selling my home was a double experience of pleasure and expansion. My certifications were also very fulfilling. I also met multiple cool people and had all kinds of adventures.
• [10:29] When I reflected on how heavy last year felt, I was discounting the abundance of pleasurable experiences I had.
• [11:45] The growth and expansion has been such a blessing, and I feel even more grounded now.
• [12:13] We dive into the expansion experiences of last year including the loss of a loved one and emotional heaviness.
• [14:13] As you look at the contrast of pleasure and expansion in your life, have you noticed things that you forgot about or things that need acknowledgment?
• [15:01] Now that we're in the new year and you've found your word to set your guiding intention, take time to do this pleasure and expansion exercise at the close of each week or month. By year-end, you'll have the list to easily reference when you wrap up and reflect on the year.
• [16:14] 2025 was hard for me, but I feel gratitude for all of the pleasurable moments I had. I'm going to hold these memories near my heart and embrace them.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Expansion doesn't usually feel good while it's happening. It makes sense only when you look back." - Mary Tess
  • "When you stop judging the year and just notice how it felt, something softens." - Mary Tess
  • "In any given year, we're going to have pleasure and we're going to have expansion. Both deserve reflection and acknowledgment." - Mary Tess
  • "When we have those hard moments, something shifts in us. We realize this doesn't feel right, and we're ready to expand in a new direction." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I can't quite believe that yet another year of us going on Wise Walks together has come and gone. In our last episode, I invited you to reflect on your previous Word of the Year, and I've been doing that too. Looking back, I can see how my word, Co-create, supported me in ways I couldn't have fully anticipated at the time. Sometimes we choose a word with a clear sense of direction or intuition about what will help us feel more aligned and in our True Stride.

When I think about why this practice matters to me, I always come back to the idea of choosing a word for the year not as something to achieve, but as something to lean and live into. A word that helps me stay grounded when things feel uncertain and reminds me of who I want to be when life gets messy. As this new year begins, I found myself slowing down and really asking what kind of support I need right now, not just externally, but from within.

On today's Wise Walk, I invite you to explore what a Word of the Year might look like for you. I share the word that emerged for me after reflecting on the past several years and what it means to create the conditions for growth, even when life feels transitional. Together, we'll consider how a single word can act as a quiet compass, helping us stay aligned, rooted, and open to what wants to unfold next.

• As you reflect on where you've been, where you are now, and how do you want to show up? What word best captures that intention for you this year?
• Is there a word you want to embody more fully, whether it feels literal and clear or more like a feeling or essence that you're drawn toward?
• Do you give yourself permission to let one word, or perhaps a few words, or a mantra, gently guide you through the coming year?
• What word could serve as a navigational star for you, grounding and centering you when things feel rocky or out of alignment?
• Looking back over the past five years and the seasons that shaped you, what feels ready to carry you into what's next?
• What word might help you transform, open, or root yourself in ways that feel aligned with who you are becoming?
• Which areas of your life feel most important to focus on right now, whether physical, mental, spiritual, or relational?
• Can you choose one word to serve as a steady reminder of how far you've come and where you're headed next?
• And as you acknowledge the work you've already done, how can you honor your continued growth and unfold it with compassion and trust?

I look forward to going on this epic adventure with you in the coming year and blooming in ways we can't even expect right now. Trusting that it will unfold naturally. As always, I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode.

Feel free to reach out and share. Then tune in to next Thursday's Wise Walk for another conversation. Until then, happy, happy New Year.

In this episode:

• [03:37] Upon reflection, the idea of opening myself up to further possibilities washed over me. For the last 5 years, I've been going inward and looking for words that would help me grow.
• [04:44] I give myself permission to choose again and wonder what the possibilities are if I open myself up.
• [05:38] There has been a tending to my inner self, so my outer self can show up the way it's meant to. Co-create supported me last year, and this year the word that popped up for me is bloom.
• [06:06] Bloom is tending your garden and appreciating nature's growth from the soil nourishing a seedling, to growing and flourishing.
• [07:01] I love that this word means that I'm going to put some roots down even in my transitional stage.
• [10:03] Another cool thing about the word of the year is that many others including striders like yourself are going on this journey with me.
• [11:03] Thank you so much for listening, and I look forward to going on this adventure with you in the coming year!

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Blooming isn't about pushing or proving. It's about creating the conditions that allow growth to happen." - Mary Tess
  • "You don't have to know exactly what's coming next to trust that something meaningful is unfolding." - Mary Tess
  • "A word for the year isn't something to chase. It's something to return to when you need grounding." - Mary Tess
  • "Sometimes the most powerful growth happens quietly, beneath the surface, long before we see the bloom." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

As this year comes to a close, I wanted to slow things down and really look at how my word for 2025 actually showed up in my life. I've shared before that I no longer set New Year's resolutions. Instead, I choose a word that helps ground me in how I want to show up and what I want to experience. This year, that word was co-create. As someone who has always relied on planning, structure, and execution, this word challenged me to loosen my grip and trust timing instead of forcing outcomes. It became a way to check myself when things felt rushed, heavy, or resistant, and to ask whether I was truly aligned or just trying to muscle my way through.

One of the clearest examples of this showed up around selling my house. Early in the year, I pushed forward because it seemed logical, but everything felt off. There was resistance, frustration, and a sense that nothing was flowing. When I stepped back and let go of the timeline, things shifted. Later in the year, when it felt right, the process unfolded easily. The right realtor, better communication, aligned decisions, and even an offer before the house officially hit the market. The contrast between those two experiences taught me more than any checklist ever could. This Wise Walk is an invitation to reflect on how your own word supported you, redirected you, or surprised you this year, and to notice the difference between moments that felt forced and moments that felt fully aligned.

• Did you choose a word for the year that helped ground or center you in how you wanted to show up for yourself?
• How did that word show up in your life throughout the year?
• In moments when you felt off track, did your word help redirect or re-center you in any way?
• What awareness did you gain by setting and living with a word for the year in 2025?
• Early in the year, were there times when the word didn't feel fully embodied or integrated yet?
• Can you share an example of a moment when you consciously returned to your word to reground yourself?
• Can you share an experience where you fully embodied your word for the year?
• What did that aligned experience feel like in your body or emotions?
• When you compare moments that felt misaligned with those that felt aligned, what differences do you notice?
• How did alignment or misalignment affect how you showed up for yourself or for others?

I hope your word for the year brought meaning into your life, especially during moments that felt challenging. I also hope you can look back on this past year with appreciation for what it offered you.

I'll be sharing my word for 2026 soon, so be sure to tune in. And if you'd like, send me an email or a DM and let me know how your word shaped you this year. I'm wishing you and yours a very happy holiday, and I'll see you next Thursday for another Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [04:09] As I reflect back on how co-create showed up for me in delightful ways, I realized it was a really great word for me.
• [05:05] I want to trust the process that God or the Universe has a plan for us. Co-creation helped me stay present and be more patient.
• [06:16] I don't want to miss the lessons in the experience by rushing to achieve something. Creating openness might show me that there's something better out there.
• [08:00] When I have that energy for co-creation, magical things can be revealed.
• [09:14] Identifying resistance helps us notice obstacles that come up. A great example of this was when I was selling my house and the realtor wasn't a great fit.
• [10:02] I'm going to co-create from a place of trust not a place of forcing it.
• [11:50] The second time I listed my house, everything flowed.
• [13:32] The word co-create helped me take a step back, reevaluate, and see if I needed to be more open to create with divine timing.
• [15:12] Another cool way that co-create showed up for me was taking a cross-country trip with my dogs and showing up at my aunt's house. I had no way of knowing this was going to happen. She didn't even have the ranch yet.
• [15:45] I now embody the trust of co-creation. I love that I'm leaning more into it.
• [16:53] I hope you reflect on how your word helps you bring out the best qualities in yourself and in your life.
• [17:53] I'm also truly grateful for co-creating with you.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "A word for the year isn't about fixing yourself. It's about grounding how you want to show up in your life." - Mary Tess
  • "When things feel forced and heavy, that resistance is information. It's telling you something isn't aligned." - Mary Tess
  • "Sometimes releasing the timeline is what allows the right outcome to show up." - Mary Tess
  • "When I stopped fixating on the outcome, I created space for something better to emerge." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

It's funny how aging has a way of quietly changing the conversation we have with our bodies. I notice it when I'm moving or when a familiar pose needs more support, or when strength and flexibility show up differently than they used to. For a long time, I thought that meant I was losing something. What I'm realizing now is that it simply means that I'm being asked to listen more closely.

There's still a part of me that loves a challenge, that enjoys feeling capable and engaged, even if the expression of that looks different than it once did. Lately, I've been paying attention to how I move instead of how far or how fast I go. Some days that means slowing down more than I expect. Other days it means stopping and taking a breath, or letting myself enjoy what's right in front of me instead of pushing through it.

What's surprised me is how much steadier I feel when I do that physically and mentally. I've noticed that when I stop trying to push my body into a version of itself that's not in alignment anymore, everything softens a bit. The movement feels more grounded. My mind settles. And I walk away feeling steadier than I expected.

That's what I want to explore today as you lean into your inner athlete, at any age in real time, with all the adjustments and recalibrations that feel supportive. We'll carry that sentiment into today's Wise Walk and let it unfold gently, as we stay connected to our bodies, our breath, and our True Stride.

• As you age, are you leaning into your inner athlete and finding different activities that satisfy your need to overcome mental or physical challenges?
• Are you willing to keep doing some activities that you've done for a long time, and modify them to support the you that exists right now?
• What is an experience or activity you find yourself leaning into, and how is it supporting you?
• Why do you love it so much?
• Are you in touch with the feelings that surface when you participate in that activity and how it nurtures you mentally, emotionally, energetically, and physically?
• As you reflect on an activity or experience that feels aligned for you right now, are you focusing on enjoying the journey, not just the destination?
• If you are not, what are some ways you might begin to enjoy the journey more?
• How can you treat movement as a physical gift and take in the sights and senses as you appreciate it?
• Are you pacing yourself in a way that feels like your own natural pace?
• Are you avoiding rushing unless moving faster truly fuels you?
• What do you love about this activity or experience?
• How can you incorporate more of what you love so you receive both an energetic and an emotional high, not just a physical one?
• What is an experience or activity in your life that gives you a sense of purpose and belonging?
• How can you experience more of that in this season of life?
• In what ways can you explore or talk with others about the activities and experiences where they lean into their inner athlete?
• What does leaning into your inner athlete mean to you at this phase of life?
• How have you witnessed your own mental fortitude and athleticism by embracing successes, failures, and the modifications you need along the way?
• Are you willing to pace yourself in ways that feel aligned for you?
• Can you move through moments of fear or self-doubt because you know you can press on and it will be worth it in the end?
• Do you have the self-awareness to recognize that you are capable of far more than you sometimes give yourself credit for?

Whatever you're doing in life, lean into that inner athlete and keep moving in a way that feels aligned with your True Stride. As always, I'd love to hear what you took away from today's episode.

I look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk, and until then, read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride on!

In this episode:

• [02:41] I love hiking because I get to physically move my body and I get to do it in a beautiful setting in nature.
• [03:18] There are moments of pushing yourself with rocky terrain or steep elevations.
• [04:05] When hiking, we're using so many of our natural abilities and instincts. We also get to move at our own pace.
• [05:42] How working out with an accountability partner and tracking your progress really benefits you.
• [08:05] Sometimes it gets in my head that I can't do the things that I used to be able to do. With hiking, I have no choice but to keep going and it helps eliminate some of the self-doubt.
• [09:07] There's gratitude and appreciation and positive self-talk that builds when you're hiking.
• [10:45] Being partnered with people that you can rely on increases your ability to succeed.
• [11:31] Hiking is truly just one step after the next. It is about surveying the landscape and then navigating to the destination that you want.
• [12:29] All of that focus, awareness, and positive self-talk gets ingrained in you, creating muscle memory that helps you recognize what success and failure actually feel like.
• [14:23] Another thing I love about hiking is the idea of being present whether in nature or outdoors. It's just magical.
• [16:38] Whatever you're doing in life, can you lean into that inner athlete just to put one foot in front of the next, to align with your True Stride, and then continue on your path?

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Hiking is about enjoying the journey, not just getting to the destination." - Mary Tess
  • "Hiking is building confidence in me, strengthening my mental fortitude, and helping me embrace both success and failure." - Mary Tess
  • "You get personal satisfaction by navigating and building self-belief and overcoming challenges through your own positive self-talk and the support of others." - Mary Tess
  • "Being partnered with people that you can rely on increases your ability to succeed." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram