July, 2025 | Ep 2

By: Sharon Danley, Master Beauty Mentor

Greetings my friends.  The tally is in and there’s an overwhelming “YES” to updating in the beauty department of our lives. So, we’re launching a mini prep series followed by a new “Back to Basics Refresher course on YouTube. 

The mini series will be 3 Blogcast Episodes designed to prepare us to get the most from our Beauty journey ahead. Along the way, I’ll share playlists linked for your convenience so you can explore the videos, reflect, and note any questions you might have.

In the meantime, I wanted to share something I practice that you may find helpful too. It’s simple, it’s elegant and it’s effective – especially over time. I also believe it will set a great mindset for our upcoming refresher adventure.

THE POWER OF MORNING RITUAL  

As I’m sure you do too, I cherish my mornings at this chapter in my life. It’s a beautiful and quiet time of the day and perfect for reflections and soul connection with our higher power and purposes that guide us, if we allow it.

Stage one of my morning begins in that blissful twilight state of consciousness between sleep and waking where I plan an outline of my day. 

Stage two involves hot water with lemon, then caffeine—“ahhhh” Stage #2 engaged.

Stage 3 I open my computer desktop — where a treasured document lives in a permanent parking spot. And frankly, it’s one of my best friends. It’s simply my one stop shopping soul searching treasure—Stage #3 engaged. 

Inside this document are words of wisdom, inspirational quotes, sage advice, strategies for solving problems, my evolving incantations- which I speak aloud because it gives me greater power), links to favourite music or a hymn I love to sing, a line from a favourite prayer, anything perplexing with a blueprint for success, how to handle nasty people with grace, reminders to pay attention and recognize when to, and when not to engage, weight management reminders, physiotherapy inspirations, updated exercise ideas and quotes from current gurus I respect on all kinds of subjects. 

It’s an ever evolving piece for the things that matter most to me and my soul. It could be called a digital scrapbook of ideas, promises and strategies to achieve—and all the blessings I’m reminded of to be thankful for.

This little gem started off with a few quotes, part of a prayer, and a weight release reminder—and I simply kept adding to it.  It’s close at hand, it’s convenient and it’s always there for me. And every now and again when I’ve edited a few things, I narrate the updated version into my phone. So when I’m in that holy atmosphere of the choir rehearsal room Sunday mornings with my caffeine in hand, I listen and the combination is like a prayer of intention and of thanks that kick starts my week positively.

I practice this about 4 days a week – just like my exercises.  At this stage of the game, I think I’ve finally found that sweet spot of commitment with follow through – like Goldilocks’ chair, 4 days keeps me consistently engaged. I no longer aim for always and eventually fail to do nothing. I find 4 days is realistic and doable. Not always and not never.  Know what I mean?

Over the past 3 years, this practice has carried me through grief, betrayals, sharpened my clarity, and wrapped me in gratitude.  It’s a form of self love that keeps me anchored in intention and open to joy. It lifts my soul to higher levels of understanding. It cements my intentions with doable actions, and it surrounds me in a cloak of gratitude and loving service to the greater good.

Interestingly, it evolved from my “Daily Living Plan” when life was extremely challenging. I’ll share that plan with you another time. In fact, I still use when life becomes overflowing with “stuff to do”. 

I share this my friends as something for you to ponder and perhaps consider for yourself, especially in these tumultuous times, when we may be more fearful, lonely, or questioning.  Such a ritual can be a steadying hand. It has definitely helped me and I hope you too.

And speaking of caring for ourselves during challenging times, Shakespeare captured this beautifully centuries ago…

 This Episode’s quote:

“Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting.” – William Shakespeare

Well that’s a wrap my friends. Thanks for joining me — where beauty, wellness, and wisdom meet in just the right measure.