On this full moon day, I invite us to reflect on how mind, body, and soul are all interconnected. Have you ever felt this connection? What was that experience like of being present and aware of the interwoven nature of existence and reality?

There’s a reason our physical bodies produce tears when our emotions are sad. Our physical hearts race when our emotions are angry or excited. Pay attention to what your body is doing, how your physical body feels when you experience different emotions throughout the weeks ahead.

Have you observed the ways that you are connected with life itself? Some call it coincidence, synchronicity, divine intervention, fate, good or bad luck, the devil, or the hand of God. It’s those moments where it would seem as if the entire universe moved into alignment to make this moment happen for you or to conspire against you. This includes the kinds of moments that make us happy and the kinds of moments that pull us into chasms of grief we can’t see our way out of.

My bucket list item for 2025 is to run my first ever marathon, and a major milestone along that journey was running my first ever HALF marathon at the end of April in the Maybelline New York Women’s Half. Their Brave Together statement was confirmation:

“Maybelline New York recognizes the positive impact running has on mental well-being and is excited to champion this mission in collaboration with our Brave Together program, providing long-term support to those facing anxiety and depression worldwide.”

You might be surprised by how many of us are running for our mental health more than physical fitness. I have shared about my personal experiences of depression and anxiety before. However, I don’t know if I’ve talked about the ways that physical exercise, especially running and climbing, have been fundamental to my personal mental health care. (Please know that I’m sharing my personal story, not a universal prescription for everyone to follow.)

Running is one of my favorite ways to fill my cup. I used to say that running and climbing was my way of crying throughout my entire body. I could cry from every muscle, every ligament, and every joint, not just my eyes.

Years ago, I recognized my triggers and vulnerabilities for depression, one of which is major life changes, like moving across the country to a brand new city…

Having this self-awareness when I moved to Illinois in 2018, the very first three things on my to-do list were: 1) Get an apartment, 2) Join a gym, and 3) Find a therapist. In that order.

As you know, I recently had another major life change moving to New York City in November. I believe it was divinely orchestrated that on my way to tour a studio on 125th Street, which I now lovingly call home, I had to cross the path of the 2024 NYC Marathon. I had no idea there’d be a race that day, yet when I encountered the crowds, I was struck with wonder and soul-stirring inspiration. I was divinely guided to my perfect new home by having to literally cross paths with a motivating force that could support my well-being in this new chapter. I am grateful for the synchronicities and surprising alignments.

Ant it’s not just these kinds of lovely moments that matter. I’m finally learning how to appreciate the frustrations, challenges, and struggles of this new season as well. Releasing my habit of resisting what has already happened so I can open to the question: What am I to do now? Who am I to become in light of all that has come?

I got an email from my editor last week saying it’s now time to start discussing concepts for my book cover! While I know writing the book is the most important piece, I’m not shy to say working on the cover is the part I’m most excited and geeked about! Lol. This is one of those moments that makes it feel even more real. I’m exercising presence so that I can soak up and remember this process of birthing my first book into existence. I will never live this chapter again, so I want to experience it fully! It’s tempting to focus on the hard parts, but this has truly been a dream of mine for most of my life and it is literally coming true in this moment.

Once we finalize the title, I’ll be sharing it here, of course! And trust me, when the cover is final, I will be blasting it everywhere! Lol. We’re just starting the concept phase, so it’ll take some time, but keep your eyes peeled!

Sincerely,
Dr. Sarah