I started my journey on Friday, September 20th, from Louisville, KY, after visiting my daughter on the way to Asheville, NC. The day began uneventfully, but I had started hearing whispers of a tropical storm brewing off the coast. “Good thing I’m not heading to Florida,” I thought. Little did I know that I was about to be caught in the midst of Hurricane Helene’s path!
When I arrived in Asheville that evening, I met the lovely couple whose home I would be house-sitting. (I found them through the website Trusted House Sitters) They were heading to Italy the next day for twelve days, leaving behind their beautiful mountain home north of Asheville—and their adorable labradoodle for me to care for. The house itself was a masterpiece. Perched on a mountain, surrounded by lush greenery and rock steps, it featured two streams and a koi pond, making it feel like a retreat. By the end of this stay, I knew I’d be in better shape from going up and down all the steps!
The next morning, after a relaxing breakfast with the homeowners, they gave me a tour of their home and showed me the essentials. They suggested I visit an art festival in nearby Weaverville, which sounded like the perfect way to start my adventure. While small, the festival had incredible artwork, though I resisted the temptation to splurge. Instead, I grabbed some groceries, not knowing yet how fortunate that decision would be.
The first few days felt like a peaceful retreat. With the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains as my backdrop and the soothing sound of water flowing from the streams, I started finding my rhythm. It was a creative oasis—perfect for getting back to my YouTube videos and Instagram updates. I felt inspired, productive, and reconnected to my purpose. The labradoodle, however, was slow to warm up to me, missing her owners terribly. I tried hard to engage her, but she wasn’t ready yet.
By Wednesday, I had my heart set on exploring Asheville. But that morning, I woke to the sound of the dog howling—mourning her parents’ absence. With rain on the horizon, I tried to coax her into a walk before the weather turned, but she wasn’t having it. The poor pup was heartbroken, and I didn’t want to let her mom know how hard it was for her, but eventually, I called a neighbor who brought her dogs which were friends to help.
Friday came, and I had big plans for the day—visit the River Arts District, grab lunch, and then enjoy some ecstatic dance in the evening. That is, until I woke up to trees bending in ways that defied logic. It turned out, Hurricane Helene had veered right into the mountains, with Asheville at its center. How could a hurricane even reach the mountains? Yet there I was, smack in the middle of it. The storm roared, but the house stood firm, almost soundproof. By the time I realized what was happening and thought to film it, the worst had passed.
After the storm, I lost internet and cell service, but the house was equipped with a generator that ran on natural gas—thankfully! A few hours later, a neighbor knocked to check on me and informed me I was the only one in the area with power and that the water supply had been cut off. Reality hit hard—I was in the middle of a crisis, cut off from the world, with no water and limited communication. I quickly started conserving my resources and learned to appreciate the little things, like canned sparkling water. Even more, I learned about the importance of community when neighbors helped each other through the ordeal.
The days that followed were filled with small triumphs and challenges—sweeping leaves off steep driveways to make my car drivable, borrowing water from a well, and charging devices for neighbors in need. News trickled in about the devastation the hurricane had caused, washing away entire towns and leaving parts of Asheville underwater. Yet, in the midst of the tragedy, I saw how communities band together, leaning on each other for support and comfort.
When the homeowners finally returned, we shared stories over coffee about the strange twists this trip had taken. Despite the chaos, I was grateful for the experience. It reminded me how resilient we are, how small acts of kindness can make a difference, and how nature has a way of showing us who’s really in charge.
As I left Asheville, my heart was heavy for the communities that had been devastated, like the town of Swannanoa, which was completely washed away. But I also felt hope—hope in the strength of community, in the beauty of resilience. If you feel moved, I encourage you to consider donating to organizations like Beloved Asheville, which are providing much-needed relief to those affected by the hurricane.
In the end, my house-sitting adventure became a journey of connection, survival, and unexpected lessons. And while I never made it to the dance, I danced through the storm in my own way.
Do you find yourself struggling with the transition from Summer to Fall? As the warmth fades and we edge closer to Winter, a part of me longs to stay in the golden embrace of Summer.
Here in the Midwest, the coolness of Fall sneaks in as Summer winds down, and the evenings bring a refreshing chill. The vibrant transformation of the leaves is always a beautiful sight. Yet, there’s still a part of me that wishes for endless beach days, more camping, and cozy bonfires. I imagine many of you feel the same.
Despite my nostalgia for Summer, what I do appreciate about Fall is the opportunity for a new beginning. In some ancient cultures, Fall marked the start of the annual cycle. Seeds fall to the ground, blanketed by leaves and soil, beginning their journey through the seasons once again—but this time with more wisdom. There’s a quiet beauty in this time of release and renewal.
As we move through this cycle, we carry with us the lessons we’ve learned. We’ve grown, and with that, we can plant our seeds with greater intention. The fruits of this intentionality will sprout come Spring.
Fall is also a time for simplifying and turning inward. The days grow shorter, and the Sun’s strength wanes. It’s a perfect time to reflect on what truly matters.
To make the most of this season, I encourage you to honor the rest your body craves. Go to bed a little earlier. Turn off distractions and take a moment to reflect on what you want to nurture in the coming months. What feels purposeful and meaningful to you? The only way to know is by listening to the quiet voice within.
Take some time to journal or record your reflections. The more space we give to introspection, the more clarity we gain about what’s ready to be birthed in our lives.
Say “no” to obligations that drain your energy. If your heart doesn’t light up at the thought of a request, it’s okay to decline. Of course, work can be demanding, but even there, if you can avoid overburdening yourself, do it for your well-being.
Essential oils can be a great tool to navigate this seasonal shift. With us now in Venus-ruled Libra season, I love using Rose oil. Guiacwood is also wonderfully grounding. If you need to restock, check out my store! For the Equinox, I’ve been diffusing a blend of Hinoki, Litsea, and Vetiver—three drops each—to uplift and help ease the transition into this new season.
I recently posted an Equinox video on my YouTube channel that you may enjoy. And if this blog resonates with you, I’d love to hear how you make the most of Fall’s energy. Please leave a comment and share your thoughts!
Set this year off right by taking some time to reflect and connect with this New Moon guided meditation. It will help you focus and bring to life your most authentic self allowing you to confidently bring your vision for your life into the world.
Step into the enchanting realm of Shamanic Trance Dance, where Jamila Blue will lead you on a two-hour immersive experience which becomes a catalyst for personal transformation and empowerment. As the rhythmic beats weave through the space, participants find themselves on a journey of stress release, shedding the weight of daily life with every fluid movement. This dance is not just a physical expression; it is a powerful tool for emotional release, providing a safe haven for individuals to liberate themselves from pent-up emotions and rediscover their inner strength. The dance floor becomes a canvas for spiritual awareness, as the diverse and soul-stirring music guides participants into a heightened state of consciousness, fostering a deep connection to the divine and empowering a profound sense of self.
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and cosmic enlightenment with a personalized astrology reading. Join Jamila Blue, for an intimate and insightful reading where she will delve into the unique aspects of your astrological chart to unveil the guidance you need for the upcoming year.
Are you tired of your same old crap getting in the way of you taking your life to the next level? Do you find yourself continually complaining about the same things? Do you want to improve but the same old habits and behaviors get in your way?
Transformation can be difficult, however it is part of our evolution. We can witness it in nature all around us. For example, It is now Fall and the trees are changing colors and soon the leaves will fall to the ground. In the Spring, caterpillars change transition to liquid before transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Change can feel difficult however, in order for us to transition to the next level of our growth experience, it is necessary.
The first step to elevating our life is identifying what needs to change,
Step two: ask, “what is getting in the way of you being fully yourself?” Often it is a behavior or an emotion that is getting in our way.
Step three: reflect on the root of the issue. This can be challenging. Most of us don’t want to look at our core issues. However, by identifying this, you are shedding light on it, which then allows you to work with that part more deliberately as doing this begins to take the power away from that behavior over you.
Step four: consider what behavior you will do instead, when this old habit / behavior arises. Then do it.
So lets put these steps into practice. For this example I identify that when I get angry it causes the people that I care for and love to not want to be around me. This emotion is getting in the way of my relationships and I want to find another way to work with my emotions so I don’t scare the people I love away.
What is the core issue of this deep seated anger? When I was a young child I was separated from my parents and didn’t understand why. I began acting out and bullying. It began to be a way to feel control. Over time it got the better of me and I lost control and just pushed people away so I wouldn’t continue to feel hurt and abandoned.
I now understand where this behavior is stemming from, I can begin to come up with a plan to transform this old behavior into something new. For example, when I feel myself getting angry I will go for a walk to give myself time to cool down. Or I will take several deep breaths to allow myself to regain control.
Now it is your turn. What do you want to transform in your life to help you elevate and level up? Once you begin this new practice, it will take some time and consistency. However, in the future you won’t be able to recognize your self. You will identify that you are not being triggered the same way you were in the past. This is a great feeling. Especially when your friends and family notice the transformation and comment on it.
Stay focused and committed to this new vision of yourself.
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