I traveled through peaks of excitement and valleys of despair this year in relation to my blog and my course offerings.

I started the year with a buoyant sense of enthusiasm.  But I over-planeed.  The result, after a few months:  Too much stress, too much overwhelm, and a pace I couldn't sustain.

Over the summer, hackers drove me to the edge.  They cost me way too much money trying to secure my site.  I wondered, more than once, if this might be a sign from the universe to stop writing and sharing in this space.  Or was it a message to rise up and overcome the obstacle?

I’m still here!

I also realized, more clearly than ever, that I work intuitively and from a space of inspiration. Fortunately, one or the other of these states make themselves available to me regularly.  Until now, I've never honored how essential they are to my expression in the world.

Another person's style or approach can inspire me. It can teach me specific elements of blogging, business, or writing.  But I can’t squeeze myself into someone else’s mold however good it might be. I need to follow my own heart, my own excitement, and my own intuition. I'm just beginning to learn how to trust and respect my own flow and what feels right in my creative expression.

All these twists and turns led me back to the beginning in a sense, to how much I love writing on this blog for you.  I feel like I came home to my heart center and it feels good to be here with you.

Despite all the ups and downs, I shared articles consistently on this blog.  I feel good about the depth of the content I've created for you over the year.  So let's take a look at the best of the best.

Creme de la Creme:  Always Well Within Top Posts 2015

Before I discovered the hacking issue, I pulled so many plug-ins off the backend of this site, including the statistics.  So I no longer have a formal way (by the "numbers") to select the top ten posts this year.  But I can tune into my inner sense and what seemed to stir your interest as well.

Here are my selections for the top ten posts on Always Well Within 2015:

• My 16 Zen Work Habits

• Aging with Grace:  Myth or Reality?

• Do You Know Your Personality Type?

• Can Your Mind Heal Your Body?

• How to Let Go Of Attachments and Find More Ease

• A Simple Formula for Joy

• Overcome By Shoulds? Take Back Your Life

• Who Do You Orbit Around?

• How to Take Care of Your Heart in Brutal Times

• What To Do When Someone Robs Your Joy and Deflates Your Energy

As we move toward closing the year, I know I feel different than when it began.  I feel more centered, clearer, and more connected to myself.  I see I've let go of quite a lot this year.  I let go of the "numbers" because I care about each one of you.  I let go of doing it according to a formula because it doesn't work for me.  I let go of another layer of busyness so I can focus on the real priorities in my life and in my work.

Aloha till 2016

Thank you so much for your presence, your support, and your engagement.  Thank you for your kind words, which touch my heart and encourage me to continue.  I’m only here because of YOU!  I'm tempted to say thank you at least three hundred times, but I'll trust you know how grateful I am.

I’ll be taking the remainder of the year off to rest and restore myself, to work in our small orchard, and to connect with my spiritual and creative heart.  I hope you too will have some time for yourself in the coming weeks.

What have you learned this year?  What are you letting go of this year?  I would love to hear.

Thank you for your presence, I know your time is precious!  Don’t forget to sign up for my e-letter and get access to all the free self-development resources (e-books, mini-guides + worksheets) in the Always Well Within Library. May you be happy, well, and safe – always.  With love, Sandra