Tag: loveserveinspire

Draw Out Your Purpose 🇵🇹

On By Heather Wiest

Our September 2025 Portugal Yoga Retreat was such an epic experience! 22 diverse humans came together and explored a stunning country, practiced yoga, created art, nourished well, and reflected upon their unique life purposes. Many unexpected, yet divine appointments, conversations, and friendship bonds blessed the collective experience. ❤️ “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” Proverbs 20:5 NIV

We are so grateful to Julie Copenhaver for her beautiful professional photography, Vangie Rodriguez for her amazing art workshop, Filippo for his exquisite cuisine, and to Gorana and Davor, the Green Yogi Traveler team, for their incredible assistance with this memorable retreat!

I love this insight from Tracy Miles in her recent blog regarding God’s purpose for our lives.

Psalm 138:8 offers this powerful reminder: "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands."

God's purpose for our lives isn't something we can miss, lose, or age out of. His purpose will be fulfilled because it's not dependent on our flawless track record or perfect circumstances – it's grounded in His steadfast love, which never changes. The love that carried you through past seasons will carry you into the next.

After all, you've been gathering wisdom, experiences, resilience, and faith all along. What you've been through has shaped you, and it is usable by God.

You are deeply loved and intentionally crafted. If God has placed a longing in your heart – to write, to create, to lead, to serve, to heal, to learn, to go – then that dream is part of His workmanship in you. And He will not forsake it.

So take the next brave step. Not because you have it all figured out but because the God who formed you and holds your future will fulfill His purpose for your life.

What’s your next brave step? All things are possible! ❤️

“Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.” Amilia Earhart

Focus Your Energy✨

On By Heather Wiest

I decided many years ago to ditch the Post-it® notes and reduce the reminders. For decades, I thrived on structuring my days and completing tasks deemed important. My practice of yoga kept encouraging me to let go of control, to let life flow naturally — just like with the breath. So, I gave up the lists. I began to really see and sense what mattered most in the moment. I became more present and alive. Situations seemed to unfold better, and I actually accomplished some extra projects along the way! Yes, I also completely spaced an important appointment — that ended up rescheduled for the perfect time! 😊 I am learning to trust Divine nudges and timing, and to focus my energy.

“There is a time to be open, almost unfocused, as we take in what the world, the universe, is showing us. There is a time to get out of our heads and quietly take the journey our hearts lead us into — following with the openness and wonder of a child. But there also comes a time to aim our attention and focus our energy on what we want to accomplish. Instead of floundering with scattered thoughts and possibilities, we choose one, then act on it. We stay in step with the natural rhythm, but we’re pulling our scattered attention together and focusing it as part of that rhythm. To do that, we may have to work through or push away inner distractions. Moving through our inner obstacles enables us to accomplish our goal — whether that’s a task, a particular piece of work, or learning a new hobby. Is there something you want to do? Is your heart urging you to learn something, accomplish something, go somewhere, do something? Make it a goal. Focus your energy.” ~ Melody Beattie

What is the fire in your heart that has become dim, because you’ve been consumed with day to day life? Let go of the minors, and focus on the majors. Intend to make a difference in this moment. As we say in yoga, the energy flows where the attention goes! ✨

“When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy; and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle.” ~ Christine Mason Miller

Focus Journaling Questions inspired by Elena Mironov

✭ If your life is busy right now, WHAT is keeping you busy? Is this still important to you?
✭ What IS actually important to you?
✭ Is what you’re doing a source of fulfillment, or are you just in a constant habitual or reactive state?
✭ Are you putting your energy into something that is helping you grow–evolve–develop into a higher version of you?
✭ Are you letting distractions carry you off track? Are you tired or unmotivated?
✭ What gives you a sense of meaning and a feeling that you’re helping–contributing–giving back?
✭ What would you like to change right now?

Focus your inner fire and energy and take that daring leap! 🔥

You must learn poise, soul-balance and poise, in a vacilating, changing world. Claim My power. Use it ceaselessly. You cannot ask too much. As long as you get back to Me and replenish after each task, no work can be too much. My Joy I give you. Live in it. Bathe your Spirit in it. Reflect it.

God Calling: Relax, January 15

May you go with the natural flow, yet focus your energy. Pursue your heart’s passion. Make a difference in this world. You are strong & capable of ANYTHING! ❤️

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Survivor Story

On By Heather Wiest

In 2013, 2017, and 2022 I was blessed to visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York City — all incredibly moving experiences. One of the amazing stories to come out of the 9/11 tragedy is that of the Survivor Tree. A poem written by Faith A. Johnson describes it well:

The Survivor Tree

A miracle of botany, human spirit, and community,
In face of great adversity,
Back to life and breathing free,
It is known as the Survivor Tree.

Buried under twisted steel,
Determined branches hands could feel
Its blackened trunk, leaves no more,
And yet some life inside its core.

Where once its blossoms did embrace,
A Callery Pear showcased this place,
Where towers stood and life was loud,
A city and a country proud.

October day, the tree was found,
Amidst confusion, sadness sounds,
Came hopeful plans to nurse the tree,
Back to vibrant life, healthy.

And so it was that Callery Pear,
Moved to the Bronx, now home was there,
Cleaned of ash, cushioned in soil,
Human hands would gently toil.

To bring the tree back its life,
Overcoming hurts and strife,
Just as our country proving strong,
The tree grew tall, with branches long.

And next to it, a flag did fly,
Reminding all that dreams don’t die,
Our roots of freedom running deep,
Our nation’s strong, and memories keep.

Of loved ones lost, forever gone,
Yet, in our hearts, love carries on.
A Callery Pear, Survivor Tree,
Came back to where it used to be.

It reaches high into the sky,
And to the heavens leads our eyes,
Grow strong, our dear Survivor Tree,
For our America, Land of the Free.

Oftentimes, stories like this hit a heart string. We all have a survivor story. What have you overcome? Are you currently in the midst of a struggle or a change? Choose persistence, choose peace, choose strength, choose faith, hope, and love. You are a survivor and will come out thriving! Cultivate the seed that was placed in you until the last small twig has grown.

Bamboo lives underground for five years before it is seen by anyone. It spends five years cultivating a complicated weave of roots in the dirt, until it knows, without a doubt, it is strong enough to sustain the elements of the world. It knows it’s bamboo from the moment the seed plants in the earthly womb, yet is patient as it develops slowly and steadily. One day, when the preparation is complete, the bamboo sprouts — and swiftly shoots up in the air 82 feet! We are like bamboo — strong and resilient — rising beautifully in time.

Be inspired by a piece of my survivor story, The Door Knocker. ❤️

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~ Kahil Gibran

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Turn It Around ⏎

On By Heather Wiest

Pratipaksha Bhavana (pronounced Prah-tee-pak-shah Bhah-van-ah) is a meditation practice based on the yoga teaching that says, “When disturbed by negative thoughts and feelings, cultivate the positive.” (Yoga Sutra 2:33)

It’s a personal inquiry practice that helps us change our attitude rather than hoping to change the situation or the people involved. We realize that changing the situation may not be possible, but rather, we witness that changing our attitude initiates an internal shift. Pratipaksha Bhavana is a simple and direct way of keeping our mindset positive and our hearts open. 

It is important to acknowledge our thoughts, emotions and sensations felt, even those that seem unpleasant or negative. However, it’s even more important to nourish, water and feed the thoughts and feelings we desire to take root and grow.

Do you feel fear? Cultivate courage. 

Anger? Cultivate love.

Sadness? Cultivate joy.

What is a negative thought or feeling you would like to transform into something positive? 

Negative thought or feeling: ___________________________________________.

Positive thought or feeling:  ___________________________________________.

Try substituting not just a word, but a whole scene or action. Bring in all of your senses. What do you see, hear, touch, smell, and taste… 

What symbol represents the positive thought or emotion you are cultivating? This could be a person, place, an object, or image. Imagine the person, place, object or image by visualizing or sensing with your mind’s eye…

This meditation teaches us to exchange negative thoughts and feelings for positive ones. We can reinforce this by breathing in and out the positive to counteract the negative. This emphasizes the uplifting shifts, enabling them to take root quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, this nurtures our capacity to respond constructively and mindfully in a regulated (versus reactive) manner to people and situations. We can turn it around. ⏎

Breathing in, internally say “I am…” 

Breathing out, internally say the positive trait or quality with sincerity. 

Repeat three more times… 

Feel the shift in your thoughts, beliefs, feelings, actions and reactions.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 MSG

Cultivate Joy! 😊

On By Heather Wiest

Life is a constant ebb and flow. Challenges attempt to disrupt our ease and peace, but as we intentionally cultivate joy, our energy steadies and positively shifts.

JOY = A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something exceptionally festive or satisfying.

What brings you joy in this moment?

What are you looking forward to that makes you smile? 😊

Take a minute to daydream and plan for joy. Allow yourself to be light and free.

“Let go of heaviness. Seek that which is light. Gravitate toward joy. Your soul and body will lead you, if only you will listen. Walk lightly. Speak and laugh lightly, as much as possible. Go lightly along your way.” ~ Melody Beattie

“…when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 New Living Translation

I ______ to cultivate more joy into my life.
No matter my circumstances, I choose to be joyful.
Divine joy fills my soul.

JOY Meditation

Think of a time you experienced COMPLETE JOY. It may be a recent happening, or from the past. Picture it clearly in your heart and mind.

Feel all the emotions.

What sensations do you feel in the body?

Where do you feel these sensations?

Label your emotions with one word.

Label the sensations felt with one word.

Tuck these words deep into your memory account of joy.

Be filled with wonder, be touched by peace.

Spark to Flame, by Danna Faulds

May the peace of your being
leap from heart to heart
and mind to mind like a 
wildfire in dry grass.
Through the simple act of
being present here and now,
may the peace that passes all
understanding be fanned 
from spark to flame to 
true illumination.

“Wait quietly in my presence while My thoughts form silently in the depths of your being. Do not rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earthbound. I am the Creator of the entire universe, yet I choose to make my humble home in your heart. It is there where you know me most intimately; it is there where I speak to you in holy whispers. Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can hear my still small voice within you. I am speaking to you continually. . . words of JOY. Tune your heart to receive these messages of abundant blessing. Lay your requests before Me, and wait in expectation.”
(Adapted from Jesus Calling, September 21, by Sarah Young)