Every week there is a new horrifying or gobsmacking event happening in the US. I try to write in ways that are relevant to current events and how to navigate them while tending to our inner world and the collective, but I don't have the capacity to respond to them every time. Now that my cued e-letters for Reiki training are up (we've postponed the start until we have more registrants, so let me know if you are interested!), I'm confronted again with what to write. 

I'm going to speak plainly today. 

If you haven't been paying attention, you need to now. 

If you listen to Fox News, it's time to find another source. They've been lying to you. 

It's time to find non-violent ways to respond, and repeat, ad nauseam. This is the necessity of these times. 

Minnesotans are brave. Resilient. Scared. Doing the thing anyway. In frigid, unsafe temperatures. I love them. I wish they didn't have to do this.

I know many of you have Minnesotans in your life. Check on them. Send them care packages. Protest in solidarity with them (there are many ICE Out protests going on around the country.) Let them know they aren't doing this alone.

Us Midwesterners are hearty folk. We've lived through the bitter cold and snow year after year. We care about our community, and that is showing in the unwillingness to submit to bullies who just want us to lay down and take it. Fuck that.

The macrocosm is the microcosm. Imagine (or remember) an abusive family system. The emotionally and physically abusive parent hurts one of the children. The other is the golden child (immune to the physical harm, but also steeped in the emotional harm in different ways). The child who is being hit says something, speaks out about the abuse. "How dare that child say anything?" thinks the abusive parent or enabler. They should just sit there and take it. The abusers thinks the child is making them hit them, because the child upset them. It would all just be better if they were quiet.

Well, that's the narrative for the US right now coming from those in positions of power.

Historians and political scientists have a world for it when it's a government: Totalitarianism.

From Britannica.com:
Totalitarianism is a form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens. It is characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression. It does not permit individual freedom. Traditional social institutions and organizations are discouraged and suppressed, making people more willing to be merged into a single unified movement. Totalitarian states typically pursue a special goal to the exclusion of all others, with all resources directed toward its attainment, regardless of the cost.

My work is all about healing and releasing trauma. This administration is generating so much trauma it brings me to tears. Sometimes I collapse on my floor, head in my hands, before I rally myself. 

Alex. Renee. A baby that stopped breathing from being teargassed. An autistic woman carried away as she was on the way to the doctor. A peaceful protestor blinded. Oglala Sioux Tribal members detained (they are the only ones who never immigrated! wtf?!?!). People of color (citizens and those here legally) profiled, harassed, detained because of how they look, how they speak, how they dress. I could go on and on.

All of these people, they need us. We need us. 

The Republican members of Congress have the power to stop this. There is still time to pressure them to rein in ICE. Congress: 202-224-3121. You don't have to have the perfect thing to say. You just need to call. Honestly, I find it rather cathartic hounding Ron Johnson. ;)

What I do believe in is the power of the people. You and me. There are more of us than there are of them. We are fed up, and this doesn't have to continue. We just have to be willing to do something about it. Stand in your power. Don't give it away to them in complacency or fear. We are stronger together. 

Voces de la Frontera has resources to support immigrants, and rally to protect them in Wisconsin. Donate, volunteer, get involved. We need to be ready.

Monarcha is the rapid response line in Minnesota. They need our support. 

Keep an eye on the 287g program, and speak up! This gives municipalities federal money for local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. Because they've been deputized in this way, essentially any police officers in participating counties are also effectively ICE agents. They often also have beds reserved in their jails for detainees. There are numerous counties in Wisconsin that are currently participating at the time of this writing: Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Outagamie, Sauk, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood Counties Sheriffs' Offices, and the Palmyra Police Department. This is also reversible! So if you live in one of those counties, speak up and say you do not want your police department participating!

Know that I'm doing what I can to stand with you in this. I've been standing up to bullies since 1987. Standing up to these bullies has become my new hobby.

If you need help regulating your nervous system, or finding moments to recharge to keep doing the thing, I'm here. 

I'm also wanting to offer Reiki to immigrants and those being harmed by this administration. If you would like to donate funds to help sponsor folks, or donate your own Reiki skills to help, let me know. Hopefully, our little bits of effort will lessen some of the long lasting impacts of this harm. 

Keep showing up.

Love ya'll and stay safe out there,

Sarah

2025 is exhaling its last few breaths. Phew! What a revolution around the sun. We're still here. 

Hopefully, you've been finding some moments for you to also catch your breath.

While New Year's resolutions swirl in the air, I invite you to take a slightly different spin on it. 

What seeds of light do you want to plant for yourself in 2026? 

Friendship — Community — Understanding — Justice — Health — Spiritual Growth — Security — Ease — Creativity — Adventure — Love — Truth 

Perhaps, there are some qualities that were lacking for you this past year that you are yearning for? Some unmet needs you'd like to tend to?

Narrow it to one to three qualities. Write them down. Meditate on them. Brainstorm some actionable strategies that you can play with to meet those needs. You don't have to know all the ways. Just something that can give you enough traction to start. 

When we hold qualities versus a resolution, typically, there are a variety of ways to meet those needs, and we can pivot amongst strategies throughout the year. It is more about cultivating the conditions for "love" (or whatever quality) to grow, than succeeding or failing at a goal. 

After reflecting, what seeds of light do you want to nurture this year? Share with us in the comments. 

Do healing, intuition, spiritual connection, community, self-care, or empowerment make your list?

If so, I invite you to join this year's Reiki Training Program that starts Feb 7th. Learn more here, and register to hold your spot. 

Happy New Year,
~Sarah

Part of healing is reclaiming and standing in our personal power and agency. Our sense of empowerment may have been diminished from others trying to exert power or control over us, by either projecting their energy into our energy fields, us giving away our power, or having our energy drained from us.

When our energy is whole and healthy, we do not need anyone else's energy in our energy field, and all of our energy is with us in the present moment. It is like we are a fully inflated balloon, buoyant and supple. Our energy is also clear: unmuddled by the energy of others, or limiting beliefs, or agreements; and strong and resilient.

In healing work, we often do work to reclaim this power in instances after abuse or manipulation (when someone's energy may still be lingering in your field). It also may be when we see a pattern or belief that is pervasive in our family or communities that we do not want to be a part of (ex: Women don't have a right to make decisions for their bodies).

To correct this, move your body into a confident posture (sitting or standing). Torso upright, gaze straight ahead. Feel the strength and life force within you. You might extend out your hands in a "stop" or crossing motion. Say aloud with conviction, "I am not in agreement with _____ (this energy being in my field, or this limiting belief)," or "I do not consent to _____ (this energy being in my field, etc). You might repeating this several times, feeling the strength within you. You might also say, "I stand in my power." "I am sovereign over my being." "This energy is no longer allowed in my field. It needs to leave now." Feel that mama bear or protector energy rising within you. Breathe and move your hands outward, pushing out that energy. 

This is the stance of the peaceful warrior. The archetype of one who is strong, merciful, compassionate, and non-violent, but does not stand for BS. The peaceful warrior is connected to their own inner light and strength. They feel that radiate within them, and they respect and honor the light and sovereignty of other beings.

While this may seem simple, this exercise can be incredibly powerful, and impactful.

If you like, you can take this a step further in embodying your empowerment. Sit or stand tall, breathe deeply. Imagine you are filling yourself up with benevolent light. This is energy that resonates with your True Self and also the greatest interest of the whole. Notice what it feels like in your body to be filled with this light; what sensations, posture, imagines, emotions, words come to you.

Now, on an intuitive level, look or feel to your left, right, front, and back. See if you can perceive the light energy of others also embodying their light and peaceful empowerment. These might be humans, but it could also be plants, animals, etc. Together in our light, we are like stars in the sky, burning brightly. Though it might seem darkness separates us, together we form constellations, lights that can guide wayfinders, bring hope and comfort.

Shine on my friend. You got this. We got this.
Sarah


P.S. Looking for some energetic support? Set up a session.

P.S.S. Just for fun... "Step into Your Power" ~ Ray LaMontagne

Hi There,

So much is going on in the world right now, between navigating the pandemic, facing ingrained racial injustice, and all the other happenings. It's easy to get swept up in the fear, anger, grief, uncertainty, dissonance, and as well as the hope, desires, and outpourings of love that are present right now. Mix it all together and it can feel quite jumbled. Between what is unfolding in the collective, and our own personal world there is so much for each of us to process. This moment is demanding a lot of us. As such, it is natural to not feel like you are at your "peak performance." If you find yourself being hard on yourself for this, please, friend, be kind, gentle, and patient with yourself. We are each doing the best we can, and that is enough. If you aren't already, try to set aside a little time each day to turn off distractions, be with yourself, and breathe. Practice gratitude for your life. Surrender your burdens to the Earth. Allow her to support you. Invite yourself to see that beauty and love are here with you always, even when it is painful, even when it is hard. It might not look like fairy tales and roses, but that benevolent presence is here with you all the same, even when we forget or can't perceive it.

If you are an empath, feeler, or Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), this time can be particularly overwhelming, exhausting, and confusing. Not only are you having your own response to these events, but you are also picking up on those from the people around you, in your home, neighborhood, and the whole world. Because the entire planet is facing this pandemic, and much of the world is also grappling with racial disparities, the collective energies are particularly heightened right now, in a way that has been unrivaled (at least in my lifetime). It's like we are swimming through a thick soup of energies. If we are not mindful, we can easily drown in this collective cocktail, and lose clarity about what we are responsible for, and can control: ourselves.

To support us in this endeavor, I will be offering one of my cornerstone classes online: The Empowered Empath. This class is designed for people who pick up on the energy of others, by feeling it emotionally or physically in their own bodies. It will help you liberate yourself from carrying the burdens of others, get clarity on where your energy and that of others begins and ends, practice energetic boundaries, nourish yourself, reconnect with your power, and support others with an open compassionate heart without taking on their "stuff." As the tools that are presented are put into consistent practice overtime, they have the potential to dramatically change how we feel as we relate with the world. We can feel empowered, and solid while still engaging with our gift of sensitivity. Even though this class is tailored towards empaths, if you are struggling with some of the themes I mentioned above and you don't identify as an empath, you may still benefit from the skills in this course.

This five week series will be offered online via Zoom starting Tues July 21st. Even online, this course will remain interactive with teachings, meditations, exercises, reflection, and sharing. No matter where you are in the globe, you are welcome to join us live, or catch the recordings later (they will be available for a month). Due to this platform, I am also able to accommodate a larger group. Feel free to invite your loved ones to join you.

Finally, due to these trying times, I will be offering this course on a sliding scale. See the details below.



The Empowered Empath Virtual Series
Essential wisdom and practices to move freely, and compassionately with your gifts
What is an Empath?
Tues July 21st
5:00–7:00pm

• Explore the challenges and gifts of being empathic
• Core wisdom and principles for living a healthy life as an empath
• Surrendering overwhelm

Know & Love Thyself
Tues July 28th
5:00–7:00pm

• Exploring what is life-giving for you
• Honoring your limitations
• Indicators for when you lose your center and finding your way back

Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries
Tues Aug 4th
5:00–7:00pm

• Nourishing connection with others
• What to do when something isn't working for you
• Inviting in protection

Immune to Energy Vampires
Tues Aug 11st
5:00–7:00pm

• Learn how to identify narcissists and their manipulative techniques
• Remaining strong, fortifying your energy, so as not to be pulled in to unhealthy dynamics
• Additional boundaries practices

Being an Empowered Empath
Tues Aug 18th
5:00–7:00pm

• Integrating the teachings
• Honoring the balance of human and spirit within you
• How this looks in the real time

You will receive handouts that you can download/print before each class. Each class will include time to reflect on how you operate as a unique empath, and live guided meditations and exercises.


Held online via Zoom on Tuesdays, July 21st–August 18, 2020 from 5:00–7:00pm CST (6–8pm EST, 3–5PST)
Can't make a class? They will be recorded. You will have access to the recording for one month after the class.

Cost for Entire Series:
Sliding scale of $75 — $100 — $125 — $150 — $175

Generally, I offer this course for $125 total when it is in person. Though this is the baseline price, I am offering this series on a sliding scale given current challenges. I trust you to look into your heart and pay what feels like a fair exchange for you, given your situation, and what is being offered. If money's a little tight, pay $75 or $100. If you have more cushion, and want to pay it forward, you can give $150, or $175.

Last day to register is Friday July 17th.
Series must be paid for in advance, your space is held once payment is received.

Call 608-335-1934, email, or book online to register. 

Have questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out!
If you feel inspired to jump in, I look forward to working with you!

Much love,
Sarah

The Empowered Empath begins Oct 1st, 2019. Join us for this life changing series!

Are You an Empath?

• Are you a feeler?
• Have you been told you are "too sensitive"?
  
• Do you pick up on the feelings and/or physical pain of others in your own body?
  
• Do you struggle to know where you begin and others end?
• Do you feel overwhelmed after being in large groups of people, or after an emotionally intense situation?
• Do you feel like a sponge, carrying around the troubles of others, and giving yourself away to help others feel better?
• Do you ever wonder who you are, or what you actually feel about something?
  

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you may be an empath. Being empathic is the intuitive ability of feeling the energy around you.

Most empaths I know are highly compassionate and loving people. They want the people they love (and, frankly, let's face it, everyone on Earth) to be happy and healthy. Many of them want to serve others in some way. But if they haven't learned how to navigate life with their empathic gifts, they can feel too overwhelmed, exhausted, or confused to show up in life the way they want to. Some struggle with maintaining healthy boundaries and even knowing what that looks like. Others can go from feeling heavy and down around the Eeyores in their lives, to walking on air when around people radiating joy. If they haven't learned how to work with their sensitivity, they can feel like a human yo-yo.

As an empath myself working in a service/caring profession, I know how important it is to have the skills to work with this ability. After years of honing it, and ongoing practice, I know that it is not only possible to live empowered as an empath, it can feel really good (even when the tough stuff comes up). You can show up even more fully for yourself and others in really profound ways. I have pulled together all my tried and true tools and wisdom in a way to help you, or the empath in your life, find relief, tap into that inner strength, and keep your heart open. I offered this series before in May of 2018. This time, I've incorporated an additional class: "Immune to Energy Vampires" to support us in navigating interactions with narcissists, as unfortunately, this is an all too common relationship trend for empaths.



The Empowered Empath
Essential wisdom and practices to move freely, and compassionately with your gifts

What is an Empath?
Tues Oct 1st
5:00–7:00pm

• Explore the challenges and gifts of being empathic
  
• Core wisdom and principles for living a healthy life as an empath
• Surrendering overwhelm

Know & Love Thyself
Tues Oct 8th
5:00–7:00pm

• Exploring what is life-giving for you
  
• Honoring your limitations
  
• Indicators for when you lose your center and finding your way back
  

Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries
Tues Oct 15th
5:00–7:00pm

• Nourishing connection with others
  
• What to do when something isn't working for you
  
• Inviting in protection

Immune to Energy Vampires
Tues Oct 22nd
5:00–7:00pm

• Learn how to identify narcissists and their manipulative techniques
  
• Remaining strong, fortifying your energy, so as not to be pulled in to unhealthy dynamics
  
• Additional boundaries practices
  

Being an Empowered Empath
Tues Oct 29th
5:00–7:00pm

• Integrating the teachings
  
• Honoring the balance of human and spirit within you
• How this looks in the real time
  

Each class will include time to share and practice with other attendees, gain insights about how you operate as a unique empath, and resources to maintain these skills and practices at home.

Class is open to eight participants.
Cost: $125 for all classes. Must be paid in advance. Your space is held once payment is received.
Call 608-335-1934, or email to register.


The Empowered Empath Refresher
Open to anyone who has attended the one of Embrace Your Essence's empath classes (The Empowered Empath, or "I Know How You Feel") or explored this topic with Sarah individually.

Revisit the essentials for feeling free, loving, and centered as an empath. Just in time for the holiday season!

Purify your energy, solidify your boundaries, and nourish yourself. We will return to the practices that support us the most.

Limited to eight attendees.

Tues December 3, 2019, from 5:00-7:00pm
Cost: $25

Call 608-335-1934, email, or book online to register.


Have questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out!

If you feel inspired to jump in, I look forward to working with you!

Best,
Sarah



P.S. There is still time to sign up for the group Reiki II class that begins on Sat Sept 14! Two spots are left. Register by Sept 6th to attend.