I’m starting a new project / blog in January and in the spirit of letting go of this blog, this brand (I have always hated being branded, much like a cow, against my will), I’ve been reading over this year’s posts.

The coolest thing that emerged from reading back over the year (beside liking my writing, always a lovely feeling)?

Seeing how much I have learned.

It’s so gorgeous, to see my hard work to stay on my own side paying off.

Consider this list then not so much the best of Jen but more a course on hearing and trusting and beginning your s/hero’s journey. Read what you need to carry you into the holy time of darkness and into the light of your own heart.

Filling Yourself Up

Foundations, Baby, Foundations (know your basics)

Flavors of Renewal (chocolate isn’t mango)

Being in the Gap (creative self-love)

Trusting Yourself

Static Free Authenticity (go beyond “be authentic” for god’s sake)

Comfort is a Quality of the Divine (you knew that)

Strengths / Weaknesses (the relationship between which nobody talks about)

Befriending the Hounds of More, More, More (get them off your back now)

The Soul Doesn’t Need a Platform (dammit)

Don’t Believe the Mean Voices (they are lying)

The Diamond Encrusted Upsell (calling out the hype)

You Do Not Have to Earn your Weirdness (I hope you know that)

Hearing the Call

What Your Fantasies are Trying to Tell You (it’s important)

How to Take a Digital Sabbatical (find your next thing, or just the rest you need, in the quiet)

Can you Save the World? (pot smoke and funky under arms)

You are Called (the world needs you to listen)

Denying the Call

A Pile of You (leaving you at the shore, or trying to)

The Farm Fantasy (or cheese shop or yurt at the top of the mountain or…)

Paralyzed or Incubating?

Heeding the Call

Holy Selfishness (Because I call you Jesus)

Be well, darling.

Okay, maybe not ultimate but mine and I love it.

A short video tour of my studio / office / play space because I’m speaking at a get real how to do you actually do your business summit in January and this was part of my prep work.

(If you don’t see a video, click here

Jen’s Studio from jennifer louden on Vimeo.

Last day for the free month at the Comfort Cafe! Ends midnight 12/17.

Here’s a cartoon by my dear friend and spiritual mentor Eric Klein. Read him, get his free e-course, and most of all, take this to heart.

After our call last week on Finding Satisfaction during the Holidays, I received this email from Max and it got me thinking:

I was SO grateful to be listening today – thank you

When time for questions came I put myself in the queue to ask this: how do we work with ineffable non-factual things like magic? Then you said you wanted more magic for the holidays, too!

The time for questions passed, but who knows, maybe you’ll blog about this sometime.

–Max

Thanks Max, I was asking myself the exact same question when I got your email – can COE’s help me experience more magic during the holidays?

My answer is… I’m not sure.

Don’t we all want magic and mystery + beauty and sweetness during this time of the year?

For our faith in ourselves and each other to be rekindled?

To sniff the greater mojo of the universe in the scent of a fir or a first kiss under mistletoe?

So the way I see it, wanting magic and mystery for the holidays is no different than wanting the muse to appear in my studio and bless me with a piece of fantastic writing -

I can create the conditions where upon the magic muse might show and that’s all I can do.

COE’S can be an invitation, a come hither look, for magic and mystery.

COE’s can be an elegant way to turn up the heat on what I want, to get some skin in the game.

So Max, here are my COE’s for magic and mystery. I’d love to hear yours and everybody else’s. It really helps to make them concrete and factual, with a time element, dependable only on you on an average day, and remember, when you are done, declare yourself satisfied.

• From December 18th until January 1st, I will be off email, and I’ll limit on-line time to 20 minutes a day (mostly forums at the Comfort Cafe).
• When I feel the urge “to be productive,” I will connect with my people, nature, or myself instead of doing.
• I will attend two events (concerts, etc.) that could be magical with people I love.
• When I want to eat something or drink something I know makes me not feel so magical (eggs, dairy, gluten and wine), I will stop and take a deep breath first.
• I’ll keep staying on my own side.

The irony is this list strikes me as very unmagical – dull even – yet every time I read it, I feel the space it creates for magic and mystery and rest to come into my life.

There will be awareness and room.

So Max, there you have it. Thanks for listening, reading and helping me.

P.S. I’m giving away a free month at the Cafe starting today. You must register by December 14th at midnight. So simply click here now FREE CAFE.

P.P.S. Cafe members are getting access to all kinds of good stuff this month including  a chance to win a pass to Marianne Elliott’s most wonderful 30 Days of Yoga. So be sure when you join the Cafe to comment in the forums under I Honored Myself Today by… for a chance to win a free hit of Marianne.