Trees and a rainbow in Monterey, California.

The path to an empowered writing practice builds an inner channel for inspiration and love to flow. Spiritual journaling is secular and not prescribed to just one religion. It is a practice of connecting with your inner thoughts, and it can be a truly wonderful method for self-reflection.

One day, I was collecting cones near the base of the pine. On an impulse, I abruptly stood up and felt a sharp poke. A lower tree branch had impaled my hair bun. I stopped and slowly walked away from the tree so the branch would slide out.

I remember thinking that there may have been a bug on that branch, and if so, it would likely have scraped off into my hair. For whatever reason, though, I shrugged off the feeling and went back to retrieving grounded pine cones.

Practicing self-acceptance and a joy in discovering the person you were intended to be.

We all need to be brave. To love, to forgive, and to be happy. There’s much work to do here. And we’re never really done.

Stealthy is only the start of it. What’s unfolding is nothing short of brilliant — the sort of big picture, chill-inducing scenario that can give you hope.