Hello Caritas Community,

The Summer Solstice is approaching, and so is my annual 'day of birth.' There are two times each year, my birthday and the New Year, that offer a meaningful pause to consider where I have been, what I am learning, and how I hope to grow.

This 66th year, I find myself reflecting on the many ways to gather, receive, and share our light. Light can be physical and metaphysical, visible and unseen. It can illuminate our path, warm our hearts, and remind us of what matters most. I invite you to reflect with me on three forms of light:

• Inner Light — the wisdom, strength, and compassion that already reside within.

• Shared Light — the ways family, friendships, mentoring, and community illuminate our life.

• Healing Light — the moments of grace that help navigate loss, uncertainty, or transition. Perhaps these moments are in sunlight filtering through the trees, moonlight reflecting on the water, starlight in the evening sky, or flowers turning toward the sun.

May this season offer opportunities to notice and share the light that surrounds us. This picture is a lunar halo -- the moonlight above our house in Kaua'i.

🌱 Nursing Highlights for the Quarter

Although I’m enjoying semi-retirement, I stay busy by teaching as an Adjunct Instructor at the local university and pursuing rewarding activities. One example is collaborating with faculty to develop and offer a successful nature-immersion community program on the campus...in celebration of Earth Day! Seeing the variety of community members and students actively participate in our event was heart-warming. A memorable encounter was with a vibrant 80-year-old native West Virginian, visiting Pensacola, who shared his wisdom and a key to longevity and health… “walk in a forest every day!”

Another highlight is attending and presenting at the International Mentoring Conference in St. Petersburg, FL. Although a dear friend gently pushed me (aka- twisted my arm) to submit two abstracts. Both presentations were accepted, and I enjoyed networking with passionate, creative people from many different professions outside the nursing profession. The message was clear. Mentoring in a holistic, caring manner is needed in all professions to support the workforce, and to create psychologically safe spaces for reflection, learning, and compassionate connection.  

✨ Excerpt from A Poem I love-- for my Birthday Quarter

THE COLOR OF ME. A SPIRIT OF LOVE FOR HUMANITY by SANDIP CHAVAN

In the canvas of existence, I am a hue,
A spirit of love, in all that I do.
With colors vibrant and shades so deep,
I embrace humanity, a love to keep.

I am the color of compassion’s grace,
A warm embrace for the human race.
In empathy’s glow, hearts intertwine,
Bridging divides, making souls align.

In golden glimmers of sunrise’s gleam,
I find unity in diversity’s dream.
Each shade unique, yet blending as one,
In the tapestry of life, we’re all spun.

I’m the blue of oceans, boundless and free,
A love that cascades like waves to the sea.
In boundless depths of empathy’s sea,
I’m an ocean of love for humanity….

…..

I’m the blend of hues, a rainbow’s might,
A beacon of hope in the darkest night.
In unity’s embrace, we’ll find our way,
Guided by love, together we’ll sway.

So let us embrace, in this symphony,
The color of me, a love for humanity.
United we stand, hand in hand,
In love’s embrace, we shall withstand

Reflective Questions:

· How am I gathering light from others, and how am I reflecting that light back into the world?

· What does "a love for humanity" look like in my everyday actions?

· How am I becoming a beacon of hope, encouragement, or healing in my corner of the world?

🌿 Wellness Tip of the Quarter-Know your HEART goals!

 At the Mentoring Conference I presented a ‘Caritas-Informed’ mentoring approach, which was well received.

One of the activities I included was aligning any professional goals that have been agreed upon between mentor/protégée with value-based goals using the acronym HEART. I have seen many types of HEART goals, but this speaks to me.

·         Honest – Are the goals true to yourself, your personal and professional identity?

·         Energizing – Are the goals exciting, spurring motivation, bringing you JOY?

·         Aligned – Do they match your personal and professional values and purpose?

·         Realistic – Are they challenging but possible?

·         Time-(less) -Do I allow room for flexibility and evolving priorities?.  

 I invite you to recall one or two of your personal or professional goals and apply the HEART goal strategy.  Begin to answer these HEART goal questions. Do they guide you to who you are Becoming?

🤍 Community Offerings & Impact

🌍 Insight Timer Community
Our global community continues to grow, and I am humbled by the feedback from the participants who join me for the WEEKLY Livestreams, or listen to the meditations such as NURTURING GRACE, or watch any new videos! Here’s a recent comment:

I am so grateful I could attend the chair yoga today with you! There was ’grace’ there in the movement. Love this talk on grace. The first thing I thought when you asked what grace is.. It’s in the breath in and out, and grace is in the spaces between breaths, between music notes 🎶, between thoughts of love. I wrote a poem about grace a while ago. Now I’ll probably go through my journals to find it! Thanks for the smile and your light …keep shining bright 💫

🧘‍♀️ Gentle Yoga (YouTube)
Explore the content HERE.

☕ Free “Cup of Tea” Mentoring
Join me for a complimentary session HERE.

📅 Upcoming Plans: My summer plans are to welcome opportunities for family time (especially with grandkids on summer break), enjoy all wedding preparation activities leading up to my son’s October wedding in New York (and find a killer dress), maintain by exercise routine (yes, I'm also lifting weights), create more content for my YouTube channel, and publish a manuscript written by myself and two colleagues.

🌸 Closing Reflection: As we move into the fullness of summer, may we pause often enough to notice the light around us and within us. May we gather moments of beauty, offer kindness freely, and trust that even small acts of compassion can illuminate another's path.

Thank you for being part of this Caritas community. Together, we reflect light in the world. Please share this newsletter as you feel called.

With loving kindness,

Karen ‘K’ White-Trevino.