Peace Within

Every day, we are faced with hundreds of choices. Some are big. Most are small. We choose how to begin our morning. We choose how we respond to unexpected news. We choose our words during a difficult conversation. We choose whether to carry yesterday's frustrations into today or to begin again with hope. What if one of the most important choices we make each day isn't about our schedule, our work, or even our goals? What if it's choosing peace? Choosing peace doesn't mean pre

By Dr. Katie Eastman & Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino Forgiveness is often talked about as the key to healing. Many religious and spiritual traditions encourage us to forgive those who have harmed us, and research shows that forgiveness can promote health and peace of mind. But for some people, especially survivors of abuse or trauma, forgiveness of another may not feel possible—or even appropriate. It’s important to acknowledge this truth: healing does not always require forgivi

By Dr. Katie Eastman & Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino When people hear the phrase spiritual practice, they often think of meditation cushions, chanting, or long retreats. While those can be meaningful, they are not the only ways to live spiritually. In truth, many of us practice spirituality every day without realizing it. Think about the times you pause to appreciate a sunset, whisper a word of gratitude before eating, or sit quietly with a friend who needs comfort. These aren’t

By Dr. Katie Eastman & Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino Spirituality may sound lofty, but most of us practice it every day without realizing it. Every time you make a choice rooted in your values—whether it’s kindness, honesty, compassion, or fairness—you’re living spiritually. Spirituality isn’t only about belief; it’s about how your deepest values guide the way you move through the world. Think about the decisions you make daily. Do you slow down to let someone merge into traffic

Compassion is the heartbeat of spirituality, the practice that bridges belief with action and transforms our daily lives.

When we think of awakening, we often imagine a dramatic event — a sudden flash of enlightenment, a life-changing vision, or a mountaintop revelation.

Now, we arrive at the widest horizon of all — transcendent consciousness. This is the awareness that goes beyond the individual or the collective, reaching into the spiritual and universal dimensions of life.

True awareness widens our lens — linking us to family, community, culture, and even the planet itself. This is what I call collective consciousness.

Once we begin to notice our awareness in everyday life, the next step is turning that awareness inward. Consciousness is not just about observing the world around us — it’s also about exploring the landscape within. This inner terrain is full of beliefs, emotions, and patterns that quietly shape how we see and respond to life. The Stories We Live By Each of us carries stories — about who we are, what we deserve, and what the world is like. Some of these stories were given to

Discover Harmony in Motion by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino on Best Ever Woo — a blog about living authentically, moving with intention, and finding your rhythm in everyday life.