The other day, I was at a local business when an employee walked out the front door and, with great exasperation, announced...

“I have to fix a boondoggle.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t just the word—boondoggle—that got me (because, let’s be honest, it’s a fantastic word), but the whole energy of it. It sounded like he was about to embark on a mission doomed from the start—one of those tasks that’s all effort, no progress.

And that got me thinking… how many times do we all find ourselves “fixing boondoggles” instead of actually moving toward the things that matter most?

What Even Is a Boondoggle?

By definition, a boondoggle is work that looks important but is ultimately a waste of time and resources. It’s the endless meetings that could have been emails. The hours spent color-coding a planner instead of actually doing the things in it. The projects that seem urgent but, in the grand scheme, do nothing to move us closer to our goals.

Boondoggles are sneaky. They disguise themselves as being productive. They make us feel busy, even accomplished, but they don’t actually change anything.

The Boondoggles in Our Own Lives

How often do we get pulled away from our dreams because of distractions, obligations, or self-imposed busy work? We might:

• Tweak and perfect instead of launching.
• Overanalyze instead of taking the first step.
• Say yes to everything and everyone except ourselves.
• Get stuck in the day-to-day tasks that keep us spinning in circles.

It’s easy to justify these things. They feel necessary in the moment. But at the end of the day, they don’t move us forward—they just keep us occupied.

Why We Chase Boondoggles

Let’s be real: sometimes, chasing a boondoggle is easier than facing the unknown. Dreams require courage. They ask us to take risks, to put ourselves out there, to embrace discomfort. A good boondoggle, on the other hand? It lets us feel productive without the scary part of actually committing to the bigger thing.

And let’s not forget—boondoggles can be a great way to avoid failure. After all, if we’re too busy putting out small fires, we never have to take the leap toward something bigger. 

So how do we stop fixing boondoggles and start chasing what really matters? 
Ask yourself: Is this moving me forward or just keeping me busy? If it’s the latter, let it go.


Prioritize what truly matters. Get clear on the things that align with your dreams and make those your focus.

• Set boundaries. Not every task deserves your energy.
• Take imperfect action. Progress beats perfection every time.
• Recognize when you’re avoiding.
  
• If you’re knee-deep in busy work, pause and ask: What am I afraid to do right now?

Your Challenge This Week: Spot the Boondoggles

This week, pay attention to where your time and energy are going. Are you making real progress on your dreams, or are you just fixing boondoggles?

And if you find yourself stuck in a boondoggle, don’t stress—just laugh, pivot, and get back on track. After all, life’s too short to spend it fixing things that don’t need fixing.

The Message:  
I've noticed that when I spend too much time in my comfort zone, I tend to frequently use the phrase…I'M WAITING

• I’m waiting for the right time to start looking for a new job and/or leave a job.
• I’m waiting to leave a relationship.
• I’m waiting for my partner to be ready.
• I’m waiting to go on vacation until I’m in a relationship.
• I’m waiting for more money before planning that vacation and/or taking that training program.

I often make excuses to avoid stepping outside my comfort zone, but I realize that these excuses are preventing me from trying new things and taking action. My fear mainly stems from the unknown. I worry about the potential consequences of taking risks, such as whether I will find a better job than my current one, whether I might end up alone if I leave my current relationship, or whether I'll lose my job if I spend all my money. These uncertainties keep me confined to my comfort zone. So, I’ve learned to ask myself 3 questions when I’m hanging out in my comfort zone for too long:

1. What is the worst that can happen?
2. What is the best that can happen?
3. Do the consequences of the “best” outweigh the consequences of the worst?

Reflection Questions:

• What adventure is calling you?
• What if you stopped waiting, took a leap of faith, and followed the calling?
• What is the underlying fear?
• Where in your life are you playing it too safe and staying in your comfort zone?
• What stories do you tell yourself?

​I used to believe that if I planned enough, worked hard enough, and controlled all the moving parts, things would go exactly as I envisioned. But life has a way of laughing at our best-laid plans.

There was a time when I resisted change, gripping tightly to what should happen. I told myself that if I just pushed a little harder, I could force things into place. But the more I resisted, the more stuck I felt. It was like swimming against the current—exhausting, frustrating, and ultimately, ineffective.

Then, one day, I let go. Not out of defeat, but out of sheer exhaustion. And to my surprise, as soon as I stopped fighting, something magical happened: things started falling into place in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

That’s when I learned an important truth: life unfolds on its own timeline, not ours.

Why We Resist (And How to Release It):

Resistance often comes from fear—the fear of uncertainty, of losing control, of stepping into the unknown. But what if, instead of fighting against what is, we allowed ourselves to soften into it?

Going with the flow isn’t about passivity; it’s about trust. It’s about recognizing that when we stop gripping so tightly, we open ourselves to new possibilities.

Here’s how you can practice trusting the unfolding:

• Pause and Observe – Where in your life are you resisting? Is it a situation, a relationship, or a decision? Simply noticing it can create space for a shift.
• Breathe into Surrender – When you feel resistance creeping in, take a deep breath and ask yourself, What happens if I loosen my grip?
• Reframe the Unknown – Instead of seeing uncertainty as something to fear, what if it’s where the magic happens?
• Trust the Timing – The universe often has better plans than we do. What if things are unfolding exactly as they need to?

 
Embracing the Flow

What if, instead of forcing the outcome, you allowed yourself to trust the unfolding?

What if you believed that life is guiding you to something even better than you imagined?
Today, I invite you to release one thing you’ve been resisting and see what shifts. Maybe—just maybe—there’s a current ready to carry you exactly where you need to be.

When You Take Action, the Universe Responds
​
You set an intention, you take that first step—and suddenly, things start happening. A book falls off the shelf with the exact message you needed. A conversation with a stranger sparks a new idea. An opportunity you weren’t even looking for lands in your lap.

Coincidence? Maybe. But more likely, you’ve activated synchronicity—those moments when life aligns in ways that feel too perfect to be random.

Why Do Synchronicities Happen?

When you take action toward an intention, you send a clear signal to the universe (or your subconscious mind) that you’re ready. Your awareness sharpens, and you begin to notice opportunities and connections that were always there but hidden in plain sight.

It’s like tuning a radio—once you’re dialed in, you start picking up the right frequency.

Signs to Look For:

• Repeating Symbols or Messages – A phrase, image, or number keeps showing up, nudging you in a direction.
• People Who ‘Randomly’ Appear – You meet someone who has the exact insight, opportunity, or encouragement you need.
• Doors Opening Unexpectedly – An email, job offer, or chance encounter that aligns with your goal.
• A Strong Intuitive Pull – You feel an unshakable knowing that you’re on the right path, even if you don’t have all the answers yet.

Real-Life Example
I once taught a Spirituality 101 workshop at the Freeport Art Museum. After the session, a participant approached me to share her interest in shamanism. Intrigued by her curiosity, I suggested we meet for coffee later that week to dive deeper into the topic.

That conversation sparked something within her. She began attending several of my workshops, which opened the door to exploring other modalities—including art. Inspired by this journey, she felt a nudge to design her own logo, which led to creating t-shirts and hoodies.

But it didn’t stop there. As she continued following these intuitive breadcrumbs, she set a long-term goal: to visit seven countries, each connected to a different chakra.

What started as a simple evening at the Art Museum unfolded into a world of unexpected possibilities.

How to Invite More Synchronicity Into Your Life:

• Take Inspired Action – Synchronicities tend to show up after you make a move, not before.
• Trust the Nudges – If something keeps showing up, don’t dismiss it as random.
• Stay Open & Curious – Instead of forcing an outcome, be open to where the signs lead.
• Celebrate the Small Moments – The more you acknowledge synchronicities, the more they seem to appear.

Action isn’t just about checking off to-do lists. It’s about stepping into a flow where life meets you halfway. When you move forward—even in uncertainty—you open the door for unexpected magic.

So, what’s your next step?

​Lotus' Heal By Mandy @lotus.heal.by.mandy (facebook)
In the mud...
We Nurture
We Grow
We Flourish
— with Manda Hendrick.

T-shirts $15 and hoodies $25.
Message Mandy at Lotus' Heal By Mandy | Facebook

It’s Monday morning, and before you even take your first sip of coffee, the world is already demanding your attention. News headlines, social media, emails—everything pulls you outward, inviting you into the chaos. But what if, instead of letting the external world dictate your energy, you took charge of how your week unfolds?


Setting an intention at the start of your week is like drawing a map before a journey. Instead of being tossed around by external events, you become the guide of your own experience. An intention is more than a goal—it’s an anchor, a way of being that shapes how you respond to whatever comes your way.


Choosing Your Weekly Intention
Your intention can be a single word, a phrase, or a feeling you want to embody. It might be:

✨ Calm – “I move through this week with ease and grace.”
✨ Clarity – “I focus on what truly matters.”
✨ Joy – “I seek out and create moments of happiness.”
✨ Presence – “I engage fully in the moment instead of worrying about what’s next.”


The key is to choose something that resonates with you.


What energy do you want to bring into your week?

What do you want to cultivate within yourself, no matter what happens around you?


Setting an intention is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you integrate it into your daily life. Here are a few ways to weave your intention into your week...


🌿 Morning Check-In: Before diving into your to-do list, take a moment to repeat your intention. You can write it in a journal, say it out loud, or simply hold it in your heart.


🌿 Mindful Reminders: Set a reminder on your phone or place a sticky note where you’ll see it throughout the day. When challenges arise, pause and reconnect with your intention before reacting.


🌿 Evening Reflection: At the end of the day, ask yourself: How did I embody my intention today? No judgment—just gentle awareness. If you got off track, that’s okay. You can reset at any time.
​

You Hold the Power


The world will always have noise, distractions, and unexpected twists. But you get to decide how you show up. By setting an intention at the start of your week, you reclaim your energy and create a sense of inner stability, no matter what’s happening externally.