Karilyn Owens
Word of the Year: Cultivate

In the past, I have had words find me — in a serendipitous manner with a lace of intuition. This year was no exception as my favorite poet and artist, Morgan Harper Nichols, created an Instagram Reel of suggested words for the year. A screenshot determined my word this year, but I am certain it was meant for me (even if it were a millisecond between my word and another.)

Word of the Year: Cultivate
Karilyn Owens
Fear of Future

I was clouded with so many fearful thoughts of the future, the what-ifs and I can’ts and worry-mixed-with-doubt. It was hard to gain clarity and even find out the truth in God’s sight: what is the best decision and next-right-thing? If only I could see through the fear, I pondered; what would that feel like? A sigh of relief, a breath of fresh air, and peace? Likely all of the above.

Fear of Future
Karilyn Owens
The Discernment Process

Discernment is a tool in our spiritual arsenal – one of the Holy Spirit gifts to us. It guides us to the will of God, which is to say the best possible outcome for us.

The Discernment Process
open heart, love
Karilyn Owens
Word of the Year: Blossom

This year I choose blossom as my Word because it represents my intention to grow from the roots I planted as a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5) and build back what was broken through the vehicle of relationship.

Word of the Year: Blossom
Karilyn Owens
The Power of Decisions

It was the morning of the most important interview of my career; with emotions running haywire and hormones adding a dizzying effect, I decided that I just couldn't go to my interview that afternoon. The fear shouted so loudly that I couldn't hear the voice of wisdom that knew to show up despite the very big feelings. This was my dream job, after all!

The Power of Decisions

I am Human—My Yoga Journey

Yoga is my everything. And Yoga for Humans is spreading the word on the humanity behind yoga. I love how they portray the imperfections behind the practice, simply because yoga is not about perfection at all. It took me years to get on my mat again after three attempted classes circa 2009 frightened the living daylight out of me; my body said we aren’t having this. Not one bit.

But something told me to try again, so when I moved to Arizona in 2013 I dedicated my heart to the mat. It was extremely difficult and even painful at times. I fought through the magic in my body stemming from spinal fusion. I loathed downward dog (and let’s not even talk about any one of the hip opening poses). My hips carried so much garbage that they screamed at me to stop the torture.

But I didn’t give up, and two years into my regular practice I stumbled upon my groove (with the help of dear teachers), and my body began to work with me through slow but steady improvements. I devoted more time and energy on my mat and the investment in myself started to pay incredible rewards in mind, body and spirit.

Yoga changed my life, and it can change yours if you allow yourself the determination and patience. I still have magic in my body after three years of practice (we all do), but what matters is how far I’ve come. And I encourage you to start exactly where you are.

This practice transcends every imagined possibility and brings about a level of consciousness that affects every aspect of your life. Yoga fills your heart with so much love and joy that it bleeds into the way you live, love, work and play.

Thank you Yoga for Humans for portraying my most graceful moment while playing on the beach.

And an exuberant amount of gratitude for my teachers Jenn Chiarelli, Chloe Olivia Littzen, Kristin Bullock, Eleanor Bramwell, Lisa Groves and Anton Holmes Mackey and your endless inspiration, light and love. Namaste.

Reflect and Re-Evaluate

May is a super charged month energetically and astrologically; with Mercury and many other planets in Retrograde, it is the perfect time to slow down, ground ourselves and self reflect. Gratitude is a way to ground our being in the present moment. Make a point this month to reflect on where you are now, how far you've come and your current self worth. When reflecting on the past, try not to dwell on any regret, mistakes or missed opportunities; simply feel love and gratitude for where these missteps brought you. Chances are you wouldn't be where you are, who you are or what you are without the "blessings" of the past.

My Epoch

I was served a very important lesson this week after I was struck by a very nasty and painful bug that rendered me weak and vulnerable.

As I fought many self-defeating thoughts that trickled in as the pain set in deeper, I remained calm and centered with self-guided meditation and detoxifying salt baths. I couldn't help but think this day of misery served an underlying purpose.

This week marks my departure from my full time job and the beginning of my journey as an intuitive healer and coach. I am certain the anxiety of such a drastic change in my path is part of the culprit for my body's painful process.

Our body senses energy (and the anxiety around that energy) before our conscious mind can. And so, with my transition came fears of the unknown as I chart new territory. Although my heart knows this is my path of higher purpose and fulfillment through service, the body and mind are intrinsically connected. My mind alerted my body of the impending changes before my heart could speak up.

As I awoke the next day feeling rested and renewed, I headed to my Naturopath's office for a checkup and acupuncture treatment (with the intention to restore balance and align my energy systems in my body). After having quite a spiritual conversation with her about my path and progress, I saw that every step I have taken has been for my highest purpose (even if I suffered in the short term for it). 

I have focused heavily on cleansing my body and detoxing for the past month in order to be a pure conduit of energy and love for my next chapter (fulfilling the purpose God has called me forth into). I rid my body of toxins and mind-altering substances which I feel has only brought me closer to the path I'm seeking. The purity of love and positivity I embody and exude has literally changed my health as my body responds to the higher vibration of energy in and around me.

My doctor responded to this change in me and affirmed my path to higher well being and health. I have been on quite a journey to practice self care and attain healing in my mind and body; I went on a rollercoaster ride of neutralizing my self-defeating and fearful thoughts to changing my lifestyle to seeking a deeper connection to my truth and heart. I found a sense oneness within me that is connected to a higher source of energy and love. 

As I pondered how far I have come, I couldn't help but embrace an attitude of gratitude for the blessings of my path and intentions. I could even be grateful for a day of utter pain because it taught me patience and kindness toward myself and allowed me to engage in higher forms of healing through meditation and energy treatments.

Every experience holds a blessing: I accessed high forms of energy healing so I may return to the conduit of Divine love I will serve as an energy healer and coach; I was able to surrender to whatever is trying to work through me (even if that means allowing my body to purge and rest). Finally, I am reminded to always flow with the river of life. Everything serves a purpose if we allow the universe to work with us (in love) rather than against us.

So, as I face a week filled with major life transitions, I encountered a license plate with the word EPOCH: the beginning of a distinctive period of history in a person's life. That I am stepping forward into an era that I have never known is an exciting yet terrifying thing. 

This epoch is defined by my journey to answer my higher calling and accept my deeper truth. My body feels my fear subconsciously even if I choose not to succumb to everyday fear and anxiety. Knowing this, I cannot help but be patient and gentle with myself. 

I see how this experience is really just a valley I am reaching on my climb to the mountain. I saw the top of the peak when I accepted this journey and announced my leave, but I feel the immense pressure now that I am leaving my job. I know this is just a minor valley in my climb. I had a heartfelt message come through the radio that lifted me up on my path: 

We aren't meant to go through this life alone. We go through peaks then back through valleys to learn to trust in God and the bigger picture, so we come out stronger in faith.

Clearly my faith took a hit momentarily, but it will never be depleted so much that I lose sight of the purpose within my journey. I know for sure these three things: I am not alone, I have support and I will succeed in delivering my gifts to this world.

For now I'm going to love my body though these changes and give it every boost I can. I am worth it. 

A Grand Legacy of Love

Look at your legacyManifesting on Earth. See the grand love, The epic storytellers, The practical wisdom? It is all because you Poured out your heart While on this Earth. You shared your gifts And inspired us all To embrace ours. We have your love To guide us through. Your witty words, Quips and jokes Echo in the walls Of our minds and hearts. Your light-filled presence, Felt, tried and true, Gives the gift of purpose In seeking all we are. Now isn't this your Greatest gift? To fill our lives With the stuff That truly matters— The pursuit of love And telltale dreams? Thank you for embodying A spirit that lives Beyond your human years And resides precisely Where you belong: The walls of our hearts.

- Karilyn Owens