True Stride

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

Lately I have been spending time out on my Aunt's ranch in Joshua Tree, California, and the rhythm of the animals has offered me a new perspective on how we respond to the boundaries in our lives. Watching the horses move through their space, communicate their needs, and express their energy reminded me how easy it is to accept certain limits without ever pausing to ask whether they still feel aligned. Their behavior became an unexpected mirror, showing me where I have honored barriers that were never truly mine or that no longer support who I am becoming. Their exuberance and clarity sparked something in me, and it led to a few honest reflections about how I define freedom and success.

As I witnessed one strong and determined horse rear up just enough to press her chest through the electric fence until it snapped, I felt this surge of admiration and recognition. There are moments in life when we feel something calling us forward, even if others do not understand it or caution us to stay put. Sometimes the only way to understand what is possible is to trust our instincts and step into the unknown with confidence and curiosity. On today's Wise Walk we will explore the barriers we have been honoring, the beliefs that might be holding us back, and the freedom available to us when we choose to move beyond them.

• Is there a self imposed barrier you honor that no longer feels aligned, and are you ready to let it go so you can run free?
• How can you build your confidence and communicate clearly so this barrier no longer holds you back, whether it is mental or physical?
• Are you ready to release any naysayers in your life and trust what is possible on the other side of the barrier?
• Is it worth it to you to cross this barrier, and what limiting beliefs are keeping you from taking that step?
• If fear of failure is present, can you let it soften so your momentum and desire can carry you forward?
• What mental or physical barriers feel most constraining right now, and how does your definition of success influence whether you stay within them or move beyond them?
• What becomes possible for you when you define success on your terms and allow yourself to feel free and expansive?
• Where in your life can you embody the majestic power of a horse and invite more freedom into your daily rhythm?
• What vision of success feels true to you, and how can you move through obstacles with strength, grace, and authenticity?

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

Be sure to break those barriers that do not feel good to you anymore and let yourself run free with that majestic power that you already innately have.

In this episode:

• [02:34] I break down the fencing on the ranch and how going from pipe corral to an expanded electric fenced area was a plan to give the horses more area to roam.
• [04:12] My Aunt put up four volt electric fencing which the horses have used before.
• [05:01] When we opened the gates, the horses were bucking and running and having the best time in their expanded area.
• [06:06] The horse who was the boss was thinking about breaking free in spite of my Aunt's warnings. Suddenly, she pressed her chest against the fence and it snapped.
• [07:07] All of the horses and the Donkey were running wild on the property. They were still contained, because there was an additional fence line.
• [08:04] They had so much joy with the additional space and free access to the feed station.
• [09:03] If we have the drive and know the goal, nothing can stand in our way. The horse's example creates a great reminder for us to pursue our dreams and authentic desires.
• [11:16] For different periods of my life, self-limiting beliefs have gotten in my head. I've tried some of the advice I've been given when I became a self-employed author and podcaster, but some things don't align with me.
• [12:10] One of the things I've learned from this experience by reflecting is knowing what success means to me.
• [13:17] The self-imposed barriers that we might be living by could be due to our own internal beliefs or external pressures. We get to decide which ones we're going to keep.
• [14:29] There's always a leader who will break through first and show us what's possible. It's up to us to decide if we want to follow.
• [15:28] Remember that you are powerful and have a spirited personality just like a horse. Others are attracted to you when they see you running free and tackling your life.
• [17:19] My Aunt and I are still laughing about this incident, and we're giving kudos to the horses and the donkey for being themselves.
• [18:19] Can you support other people when you see them getting ready to break a barrier?
• [19:04] I feel myself gearing up to break some barriers that no longer serve me.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "There are moments when we outgrow the barriers we once agreed to, and our heart knows it long before our mind catches up." - Mary Tess
  • "If a boundary no longer supports who you are becoming, you get to redefine it or release it." - Mary Tess
  • "When we stop honoring old limitations, we make space for new energy, new confidence, and new possibilities." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

A conversation on a recent hike surprised me in the best way. My friend and I wandered into a chat about how we grew up and what shaped us, and it pulled up old memories I had not thought about in a long time. I shared a bit about my upbringing and the sense of community that came with it, but what really landed for me was how many different ways people mark the big moments in their lives. It does not matter if it comes from a formal tradition or something more personal. We all have these turning points that nudge us forward and help us understand who we are right now.

Lately I have been noticing how many shifts in my own life feel like they are asking me to pause and pay attention. Some changes are easy to name and others are messy or in progress, and I am realizing that the in-between space is where a lot of the real movement happens. It is not always comfortable, but it is honest. So for this Wise Walk, I thought we could take a moment to look at whatever passages we are each moving through and give ourselves a little grace as we find our footing.

• Where are you in this present moment, and can you sense whether it marks a rite of passage in your life?
• What shift, milestone, or change feels most present for you right now, even if it is still taking shape?
• How is your career, environment, or relationships inviting you into a new phase of growth?
• Is there something you are preparing to welcome or create, whether a relationship, a move, a new project, or a dream you are finally giving energy to?
• What passages in your life feel ready to be acknowledged, honored, or named out loud?
• When you think about separation, what are you slowly releasing or loosening your grip on?
• Where are you standing in a liminal space, not quite who you were and not yet who you are becoming?
• How does uncertainty show up for you in this season, and what helps you stay grounded as you move through it?
• What inner resources or strengths are helping you navigate this in-between phase?
• Where can you feel the beginning of reintegration, that subtle shift that tells you something within is changing?
• How might you celebrate or honor the moment you recognize yourself emerging on the other side of this threshold?
• What does stepping into your next version of self look or feel like in your body, your heart, or your daily rhythm?

Thank you for spending this time with me. I hope today's conversation helps you notice the passages unfolding in your own life and gives you a little more appreciation for where you are right now. Until next Thursday's Wise Walk, remember to read the signs, trust your path, and get your stride on.

In this episode:

• [05:08] The term rite of passage comes from French anthropologist Arnold van Gennep, who coined it in 1909 and described three phases: separation, liminal, and reintegration.
• [07:39] In the different ceremonies there's a separation of who we were, then a transformation of stepping into a new identity, and it's about incorporating yourself as a new emerging entity.
• [08:16] Not all of the rites of passage that I've experienced are religious. My current situation and moving is a massive rite of passage. I've separated from my home, and I'm in a liminal phase of uncertainty.
• [09:04] I'm moving to a phase of re-emerging into something different.
• [10:13] Retirement is a rite of passage as well as changing careers.
• [11:37] Going back to school or going through a phase of education and knowledge are all rites and passage.
• [12:50] I've moved many times, and it's a literal rite of passage. It has emotional, mental and spiritual passages that we have to overcome to get where we want to go.
• [13:12] Divorce is another rite of passage.
• [14:23] I like the idea of honoring all rites of passage whether it's transitional or an expansion of heavy stuff.
• [15:04] I'm also going through a professional rite of passage with all of the new certifications I'm getting like shamanic Reiki and healing and energy work and drum making.
• [16:07] I'm going to embrace and celebrate this liminal phase, because there is beauty in being in the corridor of not knowing exactly.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Some moments in life tap you on the shoulder and remind you that you're changing, even if you didn't mean to." - Mary Tess
  • "Every rite of passage has a little uncertainty in it, and that's what makes the celebration on the other side so meaningful." - Mary Tess
  • "When you pause long enough to notice a transition, you give yourself a chance to honor who you're becoming." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Striders. If you're celebrating here in the U.S., I hope you're surrounded by loved ones, friends, or even your fur babies, and that you're feeling a sense of appreciation for the blessings in your life, the ones you're experiencing now and the ones that have shaped you along the way. This time of year is a good reminder to pause, take a breath, and really acknowledge the good that is already present.

As I've been reflecting on gratitude, I keep coming back to how much shifts when we look at what's working instead of what's missing. When we notice the good in ourselves and in our relationships, it changes the energy around everything else. And whether we're thinking about moments that made us laugh, the qualities we're proud of, or the people who show up for us when it matters, there is so much to be thankful for.

So for today's Wise Walk, we're going to slow down, check our reality, and explore what gratitude looks like in our own lives including what we're grateful for about ourselves, the memories that bring us joy, and the people who support us and inspire us. Let's take this time to honor those blessings together.

• What does a consistent gratitude practice look like in your life right now, and how can you honor this Thanksgiving by acknowledging the blessings you've experienced?
• What are you personally grateful for about who you are and how you show up in the world?
• How can you count your blessings in relationship to others and appreciate the people who support you or whom you've supported?
• What recent moment made you laugh so hard your abs hurt, and how can you give gratitude for the joy, the courage, and the people who shared it with you?
• How did that memory make you feel, and how can you recreate more moments that spark that kind of joy?
• What is one physical quality you love about yourself, and why does it matter to you?
• What is one emotional or spiritual quality you are grateful for, and how has it blessed your life?
• What challenging experience are you moving through, and what unexpected blessings have surfaced because of it?
• How is that experience preparing you for your hopes and dreams and helping you connect more intentionally with the people in your life?
• How can you give yourself gratitude for how you're showing up through difficulty with strength, grace, and growth?
• Who in your life needs to hear that you appreciate them, and how can you let them know in a meaningful way this Thanksgiving?
• How can you express gratitude for both giving and receiving support, and appreciate the love that surrounds you right now?

Thank you for spending this time with me today. I'm grateful for you and for this True Stride community, and I hope you carry a spirit of appreciation into the days ahead. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful, and very Happy Thanksgiving, and until next Thursday, please remember to prioritize fun, read the signs, and get your stride on.

In this episode:

• [02:11] "Acknowledging the good that you already have in life is the foundation for all abundance." Eckhart Tolle
• [03:04] When we see the good in others, it becomes the overarching theme of our lives, and that's what we put out.
• [04:03] The joy of laughter and how fun and playful it is. I'm grateful that laughter is contagious.
• [07:19] What do you love about yourself? I love how I take chances and do things that are scary. I'm okay with failure.
• [10:30] In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm giving gratitude to count my blessings in these areas.
• [11:18] Reflect on areas of your life that have been hard, but that you've done it anyway. What have you gained?
• [15:09] I also want to acknowledge thankfulness and gratefulness for the relationships in my life.
• [16:52] I feel blessed by my supporters near and far. I give gratitude for those who allow me to express myself and give me support.
• [18:07] Happy Happy Thanksgiving! Take some time to reflect on when you've laughed so hard your abs hurt, attributes you love about yourself, and gratitude for the relationships in your life.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Gratitude shifts everything. The moment we acknowledge what's already good in our lives, we invite more of that goodness in." - Mary Tess
  • "We all have qualities worth celebrating. When we recognize what we love about ourselves, we stand a little taller." - Mary Tess
  • "Giving thanks for the people who support us is a beautiful way to strengthen connections and deepen relationships." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I was really moved recently when a Strider reached out to share that they had just completed the New York City Marathon and were reflecting on what that experience meant for them. They realized after crossing the finish line that they wished they had celebrated more and invited others to cheer them on, because training for something so big ends up being a rite of passage. Their honesty stirred up memories from my own marathon experiences and reminded me just how powerful those transitions are when we separate from who we were and stretch ourselves into something new.

It got me thinking about the lessons we learn when we take on something that feels huge, unknown, and uncomfortable, and then come out the other side stronger. Life asks us to pace ourselves, to stay connected to our why, to lean on a support system, and to celebrate each milestone along the way. On today's Wise Walk let's explore what our literal or metaphorical marathons can teach us about self belief, resilience, and finishing strong.

• What lessons can you learn from the idea of running a marathon, even if you never plan to run one?
• What experience or accomplishment are you in the midst of right now that feels like a marathon?
• Can you apply the lessons of training, pacing, and consistent effort to help you cross your own finish line feeling strong and proud?
• What is the marathon you are embracing in your life, and how is it shaping your self belief and confidence?
• Are you setting yourself up for success by understanding your why, pacing yourself, and honoring rest when you need it?
• Are you practicing self care in the ways that support your highest and best self?
• Who is part of your support system, and how can you let them cheer you on through the ups, the downs, and everything in between?

You do not need to have a massive goal to honor your own rite of passage. Whatever you are working toward, set the intention and take steady steps forward. With consistent effort you will discover that you are far more capable than you realize, so keep going. We are here to cheer you on and celebrate each milestone.

I would love to hear what spoke to you today, so feel free to reach out and share your reflections. Thank you for spending this time with me. Tune in next Thursday for another Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [05:23] When I took myself on a Wise Walk and reflected on the lessons learned from my marathons, I realized that these lessons apply to so many things in life.
• [06:17] With consistent effort we're capable of way more than we think. Lessons Learned include setting goals and following a plan.
• [07:43] I also learned to listen to my body and pace myself to avoid burnout.
• [09:03] I met a runner who stuck with me, because I was really good at pacing myself. No matter what you're working on, pace yourself and finish strong instead of burning yourself out.
• [10:05] Self care is not a luxury.
• [11:03] Focus on what you can control and prepare.
• [12:46] How can you support your body and your training towards achieving your big goal?
• [13:09] Also consider what your "why" is.
• [14:16] "The real purpose of running isn't to win a race. It's to test the limits of the human heart." Bill Bowerman
• [15:09] My goal was to enjoy the spectators and finish while feeling strong.
• [16:04] Celebrate your wins with a support system. Lean in and feel their support and presence.
• [17:50] A story about how I felt seen and heard by my good friend.
• [20:32] The New York City marathon is a big melting pot with 50,000 runners taking over Manhattan.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Life asks us to keep showing up even when it feels hard, because that is where we discover what we are truly capable of." - Mary Tess
  • "Pacing yourself is not slowing down. It is choosing strength over burnout so you can finish with pride." - Mary Tess
  • "You were not meant to walk every mile alone. Let people cheer for you. Let them lift you higher." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value
• Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

This week, I wanted to dive deeper into something that came up from our last conversation about unburdening ourselves as we head toward the end of the year. One of our Striders reached out and said, "I love that word discernment, but sometimes I struggle with knowing when I'm releasing something for my own good and when I'm just isolating." That question really resonated with me because I've been there too with trying to figure out if I'm stepping back for clarity or pulling away out of self-protection.

So in this episode, we're exploring what it means to practice discernment versus isolation, and how both can show up in our lives. There have been times when I've had to hit pause and really tune in to what my own voice was saying. These are moments when I needed quiet to think, to breathe, to just be with myself. There have also been times when pulling back for a bit was the kindest thing I could do. That space wasn't about pushing people away. It was about giving myself room to reset. When we bring a little more awareness, intention, and compassion to those moments, it changes everything. It helps us reflect instead of react.

Since the holidays are coming, with all the emotions they tend to stir up, it feels like the perfect time to notice what we're running toward and what we might be running from. The pauses we take can either drain us or refuel us, so let's be mindful of which kind we're choosing. On today's Wise Walk we'll see how discernment can help us reemerge stronger, clearer, and more connected than before.

• As you reflect on your life, are there times when you know you need to take a step back, step aside, or release something, and you feel that discernment guiding you?
• Do you recognize moments when you react, withdraw without reflection, or feel too overwhelmed to process what's happening?
• How can you hold space for both discernment and isolation and understand when each is serving you?
• Can you feel good about applying them when necessary, with the hope that both lead to deeper connection?
• Are you withdrawing without reflection, reacting out of hurt or defensiveness, or intentionally isolating to heal and protect yourself?
• Can you be aware of what's motivating your choice and what outcome you truly want?
• Are you stepping back to foster connection or pushing others away out of fear or exhaustion?
• Where in your life are you practicing healthy discernment that supports connection?
• Where might you be isolating without a plan for how to reemerge better?
• Are you running toward something that aligns with your growth or running away from something that feels hard to face?
• With that awareness, can you make new choices that bring you the support you need?
• Can you focus on what you're running toward and what you're running away from, and take action that helps you reemerge stronger?
• Do you sense when it's time to immerse yourself in community and when it's time to rest and recharge in solitude, knowing both can help you reemerge stronger?

I want to thank the Strider who reached out with that thoughtful question. It reminded me how powerful it is to pause, reflect, and check in with ourselves.

The holidays can stir up so much joy, nostalgia, and even heaviness. It's okay to take a step back when you need to. Until next week, please remember to listen to your heart, honor your energy, and always make space for fun along the way.

In this episode:

• [03:05] I share Google's definition of discernment being the ability to make sound judgments through perception and wisdom. Isolation is the state of being alone or separate from others.
• [04:04] Sometimes when making a big decision, I would isolate myself from others, so I could reflect on my own voice.
• [05:26] Language can have different meanings, but when I was judged for isolation I was actually using discernment to look into my heart and find what's best for me.
• [06:08] The temporary timeout we give ourselves is good, because it allows us to re-emerge better. Discernment can foster connection when we find what's true to ourselves.
• [07:24] It's important for us to know the difference between isolating and searching for discernment.
• [08:04] We should also be aware of when our isolation is reactive.
• [09:22] The other day my aunt's horse, Blue, needed dental work. I had to take a step back because I have some trauma around dental work.
• [11:20] It's important for us to have discernment to navigate and flow with things that come up in life.
• [12:59] My goal is to emerge stronger and clearer.
• [13:32] Holidays can be hard emotionally for many different reasons.
• [16:03] Thank you to The Strider who asked this question. It was really helpful for me to self reflect on the differences between isolation and discernment.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Discernment is that pause we take to hear our own voice again." - Mary Tess
  • "Sometimes that step back is the most loving thing you can do for yourself and others." - Mary Tess
  • "Awareness helps us know whether we're protecting our peace or avoiding our growth." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram