Renewal
Welcome to my monthly newsletter, Attunement!
Each month we “tune into” a theme related to mindfulness and
explore a creative practice and tune based on this theme!
This month of January we’re TUNING INTO the frequency of:
RENEWAL.
The world offers perennial renewal, in the grass that pushes itself up between the cracks in the sidewalk, in the end of every torrential rainstorm and in every newly planted window box, in every unexpected revolution, with each new morning’s light. This unstoppable spirit of renewal is in you. Trust it. Learn that it flows through you and all of life.
-Jack Kornfield
New Year Renewal vs. Resolutions
I used to do New Year's Resolutions, then inevitably within weeks I'd give up and feel disappointed in myself. So for the last few years I've set an intention for the coming year--it's usually a quality that I want to renew within myself. For 2025, it's INTENTIONALITY.
While resolutions focus on setting specific goals or achieving concrete outcomes, renewal invites us to embrace a broader, more compassionate approach to personal growth and transformation.
Resolutions focus on doing, and they often come with an emphasis on fixing perceived flaws or achieving external benchmarks (e.g., "lose 10 pounds" or "start a new hobby"). They tend to be rigid, with a pass-or-fail mindset that can lead to discouragement if we fall short.
Renewal is less about doing and more about being—reconnecting with our true selves and refreshing our mindset, energy, and perspective. It's a process through which we're invited to release what no longer serves us (old habits, self-doubt, or unrealistic expectations) and make space for growth. Renewal is flexible and values the journey over the destination, allowing room for self-compassion and adjustment.
How Renewal Feels Different
Renewal doesn’t demand perfection—it invites curiosity and presence.
Renewal is rooted in self-acceptance, not self-criticism.
Renewal isn't just about changing behaviors, but aligning with your core values and aspirations.
Practical Ways to Embrace Renewal
Instead of rigid resolutions, ask yourself: How do I want to feel or grow this year?
Take time to appreciate what’s working in your life and gently identify what needs a shift.
Allow space for imperfection, knowing renewal is a continuous, forgiving process.
By choosing renewal over resolutions, the new year becomes a mindful opportunity to grow with intention, presence, and self-compassion.
Creative Mindfulness Practice: Create a Renewal SoulCollage® Card
Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and reflect on the theme of renewal. You might journal some answers to these questions:
What am I ready to release?
What qualities or intentions do I want to bring into my life?
What does renewal look or feel like for me?
Browse magazines or other image sources to find pictures, colors, or symbols that resonate with your sense of renewal (both images that represent letting go and those that symbolize growth, hope, or transformation).
Arrange and glue your chosen images onto a 5 x 8" piece of cardstock. Allow space for intuition to guide the process—there’s no right or wrong way to create your SoulCollage® card!
Once your card is complete, journal your answers to the following questions:
What is the story of this card?
What messages does this card have for me?
How can I embody the energy of renewal in my life?
“Renewal” SoulCollage® card, created digitally using Canva, by Katy Oberle
My January Events:
New Year Movement, Music, Sound Bath & Yoga Nidra (w/Susan Gladden)
Fri. 1/10, 6:30-8:30pm @ GoYoga Worthington
Start your new year with an open heart and a balanced body! Experience how live music can add a meditative layer to your practice, grounding you in the present moment and inviting a profound sense of calm, ease and peace into your life. You’ll move slowly through a series of gentle grounding postures with live acoustic/vocal music by Katy filling the background. Then, sink into a soothing sound bath (facilitated by Katy), releasing tension and welcoming a wave of positive energy. Finally we will tie a bow on the experience with a Yoga Nidra meditation to foster clarity, inner connection, and deep rest.
Investment: $50
Mindful Vision Boarding Workshop
Sat. 1/11, 3-5pm @ Grandview Parks & Rec Heritage Room
Unlock clarity and align with your values by creating a mindful vision board for 2025 and beyond! Explore your core beliefs and learn how to translate them into meaningful, visual intentions. Discover how to build and sustain mindful habits that support your vision and help you stay on track. Embrace the power of intention, and walk away with a personalized roadmap for a more mindful, joyful life.
Investment: $20
Resonance & Renewal: A Free Community Sound Bath
Sat. 1/18, 3:30-4:30pm and @ Upper Arlington Public Library, Tremont Branch
A sound bath is a deep listening experience designed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Participating in a sound bath is a mindfulness practice; the sounds of crystal bowls, gong, chimes, and ocean drum act as your anchors to the present moment. These harmonic vibrations work on a physical, emotional, and energetic level, guiding you into a state of relaxation and balance.
As the sound waves wash over you, they can help reduce stress, release tension, and quiet mental chatter, while promoting mindfulness and emotional well-being. The frequencies work to entrain your brain into more peaceful states, such as alpha and theta waves, leading to heightened clarity, creativity, and healing.
Whether you’re looking to alleviate stress, enhance meditation, or simply find a moment of calm in a busy world, a sound bath is an accessible and powerful way to rejuvenate your mind and body. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your openness (and a yoga mat/blanket/pillow if desired!) and allow the soothing power of sound to restore your inner harmony.
Investment: $0 / FREE!!
Unlocking Your Inner Wisdom: 6-part SoulCollage® Series
Saturdays, Jan. 18 - Feb. 22, 9-11am @ The Be Sanctuary in UA
This 6-session SoulCollage® workshop series is perfect if you're new to SoulCollage® and for more experienced SoulCollagers who would like to deepen your practice and create lasting tools for ongoing insight and guidance on your life journey.
During this series, you'll:
Build a personalized deck of SoulCollage® cards.
Explore self-awareness, intuition, & mindfulness through creative card-making.
Learn to "speak from" your cards to connect with different parts of yourself/your world.
Engage in card readings for reflective self-inquiry & mindful guidance.
Engage in reflection & compassionate connection with fellow participants.
This Month’s Tune 🎵:
Each month I share a tune that resonates with the newsletter theme.
For this month’s theme of RENEWAL, I've chosen "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash. Here's my rendition on YouTube.
Image by Yuri Antonenko
