FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY
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Your weekly dose of inspiration, practical tools, and honest reflections for living a bold, moxie-filled life.
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 For years, I talked about writing a book. And for just as many years, I had the same excuse: Who would even want to read my story? That changed in January 2020. I was in Minneapolis, having dinner at Hazelwood with a longtime colleague. We were in Minneapolis for the week, helping a client map out a future roadmap. Somewhere between appetizers and the second glass of wine, Bob asked me a simple but bold question: What’s your story? So, I gave him the Cliff Notes version. After I finished, Bob looked me straight in the eye and said: You need to write that book. There are people who need to hear how your betrayals weren’t the end of your story. They were the ignition. His words stuck. Fast forward three years—after plenty of self-doubt, detours, and a dozen more excuses—I finally decided to make time to write my story. In May 2025, I finally released MOXIE. MOXIE is a bold declaration of what’s possible when you stop asking for permission and start pursuing your dreams! So, let me ask you—what dream have you been holding onto? Is there a story that is holding you back? A story of not having enough time? A story of not having enough money? A story around no one will buy this or want this? Because here’s the thing: The dream you want to pursue but think no one wants...might be the exact thing someone else needs . Your Next Bold Move Call to Action: 🌟 Curious about the betrayal that sparked my journey? You can read a sample of MOXIE for free on Amazon. 🌟 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? I offer 1:1 mentoring to help you get unstuck and start moving forward towards Your Next Bold Move. MAGICAL THINGS TO CHECK OUT Testimonial: I just opened the book and it flipped to 2 areas that I had just talked with someone about this morning. It was a magical synchronicity to go right to the page on serendipity!!!! I can wait to dip in the rest of the book. Thank you Robin for following your heart and writing. ~Lori ORACLE CARD OF THE WEEKBook Magic - Embrace Your Inner Power Oracle Deck  Magic. Spiritual guidance. Curiosity. New ideas. The Message: The first time I experienced the magic of books was when I was walking through O'Hare Airport. On the outside, my life seemed perfect with a successful career and a happy marriage, but on the inside, I felt like everything was falling apart. As I passed by the airport bookstore, a particular book caught my eye. It was a book that I wouldn't typically choose to read, but it intrigued me. I ended up buying the book and finished reading it within just two days. The book ignited a spark in me that I hadn't felt in years - a sense of excitement. It also made me realize how I had hidden parts of myself to fit in and be accepted in both my personal and professional life.
Books have a portable magic to them. The right book always appears with the answer I'm looking for right after I ask the unsolvable question. Some of my personal favorites:
One morning, I decided to take a break from writing and do some yoga. While I was doing yoga, a book on my bookshelf caught my attention. After finishing my yoga session, I opened the book, and it inspired the design layout for a book I was working on. Several weeks later, while doing yoga again, another book caught my eye - "This Is Your Mind On Plants." I chuckled as it reminded me to start creating some plant sound clips. It's true what they say - books speak... you just need to listen. Reflection Questions:
 The weather is warming, the sky is blue, and everything in me says… It’s time! After a year of pouring my heart, soul, and hard-won wisdom into it, I’m thrilled to share that my book, MOXIE: 15 Minutes to Clarity, Courage, & Confidence is officially launching. This book was born from a deep knowing: that so many of us have outgrown the lives we’ve built. We’re craving something more aligned. More bold. More fulfilling. But where do you start when you know something needs to shift… and you’re not quite sure what that looks like yet? That’s the space I’ve lived through, worked in, and now written into a simple yet powerful process — one that helps you:
In just 15 minutes a day, this framework helps you reset your focus, re-connect with your heart, and re-discover your inner magic. Because here’s the truth: You don’t need to burn it all down to live boldly. You just need the right process, the right questions, and the courage to listen within. This book is your invitation to start doing exactly that. I'll be sharing more about the launch in the coming weeks, including special bonuses and how you can be part of spreading the message. But for now, I wanted to say thank you. You’ve been part of this journey, whether you knew it or not. Here’s to reclaiming your Moxie — and stepping into your next chapter with clarity, confidence, and courage. Grab your copy of Moxie now and start your 15-minute daily journey back to clarity, confidence, and courage. Warmly, Robin Intuitive Life Strategist + Moxie Mentor MAGICAL THINGS TO CHECK OUT ORACLE CARD OF THE WEEKNo Mud, No Lotus - Embrace Your Inner Power Oracle Deck Victorious. Forgiveness. Letting Go of Grief. Recovering and Reconciling Past Wounds. The Message: One must grow through mud and dirty pond water to bloom into a beautiful lotus flower. The lotus reminds us that it can survive and shine brightly regardless of circumstances. Below are some of my experiences with adversity and the subsequent beautiful results.
Betrayal by a business partner allowed me to start an extraordinary life I had never envisioned.
Every muddy, hard experience has allowed me to shine and see the experience as a gift. Reflection Questions:
 There comes a time when you just know that something in your life isn’t fitting anymore. It might be a job, a relationship, or an old belief that no longer aligns with who you are becoming. The discomfort settles in, and though it’s not always easy to admit, the winds of change begin to stir, asking you to let go of what no longer serves you. At first, you resist. You cling to the familiar, even though it’s starting to feel too small for the person you’ve become. It’s hard to step away from the known — from the safety of the status quo. Yet, deep inside, you feel a quiet urging, a pull towards something different. You’re standing at the threshold of change, and on the other side is a door, waiting to be opened. This is the Door of Possibilities — a space where your next step is guided not by certainty, but by trust in the unknown. It's where resistance meets opportunity and where letting go of what’s holding you back is the key to stepping into something new and expansive. As you face this door, you might feel uncertainty creeping in, but it’s also where your next chapter begins. The soil is rich for new growth, and with each small step, you plant the seeds of your future. So, I invite you to stop, pause, and reflect... What is no longer fitting in your life? Is it time to release it? The beauty of this moment is that it doesn't require all the answers. It only asks that you take that first step, trusting that you're making progress toward something much bigger by releasing what's no longer working. Where will your door of possibilities lead you this week? What’s no longer fitting in your life, and how can you create space for what’s calling you next? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reply and share your reflections, or even just the smallest shift you’re ready to embrace. Your journey might inspire others to take that leap as well. MAGICAL THINGS TO CHECK OUTAre new possibilities calling you? Perhaps you are filled with self-doubt, and as a result, you are hiding your light and your gifts from the world. Listen to this 1-minute Nature Sound bath to nudge you forward. ORACLE CARD OF THE WEEKDoor Of Possibilities - Embrace Your Inner Power Oracle Deck  Exploration. Expansiveness. Curiosity. New Possibilities. The Message: A few years ago, I came across a book titled "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert. In it, the author shares a compelling experience about losing her motivation to write and turning to gardening instead. While gardening, she discovered fascinating plants that ultimately inspired her to write her next book, "The Signature of All Things: A Novel." What I truly appreciate about "Big Magic" is how Gilbert encourages readers to explore their interests and passions, helping them uncover the unique talents that lie within each of us.
In May 2022, I purchased the house next to the Kent Emporium and began a summer project focused on weeding and planting. When people asked about my plans for the home, I explained that my priority was to restore the yard, which had been neglected for years. So, that's exactly what I dedicated my entire summer to—pulling weeds and planting flowers. During this time, I came across a new musical device known as the PlantWave, which not only functions as a device but also as an instrument. This unique tool converts a plant's electrical signals into music. As I experimented with the PlantWave, I noticed that the plants appeared to communicate with me in a way. One early morning, I became particularly fascinated by the music produced by Yucca plants, so I recorded a sound clip of their melodies. On another day, I heard beautiful music and wondered where it was coming from. My friend suggested that my Petunias were the source. When I connected them to the PlantWave, I was delighted to hear the same angelic music. Now, plant music has become an integral part of my sound therapy sessions and shamanic journeys. My summer obsession with yard work also led me to discover a hidden talent for creating plant music.
 You’ve been here before. That moment when something just doesn’t feel quite right anymore. You’re still showing up, still checking the boxes, still doing the things that used to work—but it’s all starting to feel… off. The rhythm is gone. The spark has faded. And deep down, you know... It’s time for a reset. Sometimes, the signs are quiet - a low hum of discontent, procrastination creeping in, or that inner nudge whispering. "This isn't it anymore." Other times, the signs shout burnout, frustration, feeling stuck, or like you're forcing yourself to keep up with something that no longer fits who you've become. Reset moments often sneak in just as we’re on the edge of change—when our inner world is evolving faster than our outer world can keep up. Let’s be honest: hitting reset sounds good in theory, but it can feel scary in practice.
But here’s the truth... Resetting isn’t starting over—it’s realigning. It’s acknowledging that you’ve grown. That your needs, desires, and truths have shifted. And that it’s okay (and wise) to pause, reassess, and choose a new way forward. A reset doesn’t always require a grand life overhaul. Sometimes, the most powerful resets are the smallest:
Your reset might be a conversation. A journal entry. A single, soul-honoring decision. Or it might be the beginning of a bold, new chapter. So if you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or like you’ve outgrown the way things have always been... Pause. Breathe. Listen in. And give yourself permission to reset. You’re not broken. You’re becoming. What's one part of your life that's asking for a reset right now? What's one small step you can take to honor that? ORACLE CARD OF THE WEEKRadical Self-Care - Embrace Your Inner Power Oracle Deck Revitalization. Renewal. Purification.The Message: I grew up on a farm where everything was a higher priority than my own self-care. Monday through Friday, the animals needed to be fed first thing every morning, followed by attending school. The weekends and the summers were viewed as additional workdays, full of an endless farm to-do list (bailing hay, fixing fences, grinding corn, giving animals shots, the list was endless). The farm to-do list came first, and self-care (including play and fun) was only allowed after the to-do list was completed.
As I transitioned from living/working on a farm to corporate life, I was taught a new set of priorities – work priorities. Each company wanted me to put the company's needs above my own, and I kindly obliged them. Because that is how I was brought up. Over the years, due to stress and illness, I realized that I needed to establish some firm boundaries regarding life/work balance. My boss, my spouse, my friends, and my family would question and disapprove of my actions. They called me selfish and made me feel guilty for having needs. Their reactions made me question myself… Who am I to put my own needs first? One day, while sitting on an airplane preparing for takeoff, I had an epiphany. The flight attendant discussed the importance of putting on your own oxygen mask first in the event of an emergency. They emphasized that you cannot help others if you are unable to breathe yourself. This message helped me understand the source of my guilt for prioritizing my own needs. I realized that this guilt was not due to selfishness but rather societal pressure.
 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:
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.
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. MAGICAL THINGS TO CHECK OUT ORACLE CARD OF THE WEEK Adventure. Choice. Faith. Action. 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 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:
Reflection Questions:
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Robin Rosenstiel"Joy in the Journey" is your weekly dose of inspiration, practical tools, and honest reflections for living a bold, moxie-filled life. It’s about embracing every twist and turn on the path to creating a life on your own terms—celebrating the wins, learning from the challenges, and finding joy in the process of becoming your most authentic self Archives
May 2025
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