Happy Sacred Sunday!
Doesn’t it feel like as soon as Labor Day ends, it’s time to get back into rhythm? I can feel the community craving organization, structure, and systems that help us flow better and feel more grounded.
This month we named it: Strengthen September. This is the time to strengthen our bodies, our minds, our spirits, and our systems so we can ground into the fall season well. My goal, as always, is to inspire you to create a life that sparks bliss.
But this week I realized there’s a fundamental distinction I’ve never explained quite like this before:
👉 Bliss is something you find, not something you chase.
If you spend your life chasing bliss, you’ll always come up short. But when you pursue growth, service, and alignment, you often stumble upon bliss in the process.
That’s what I’m discussing on today’s podcast episode, along with how Stoicism has helped me strengthen virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
Those practices will lead you to a bliss-full life without the need to search for it.
I promise, when you embrace this distinction, your life changes forever and for the better.
🎧 [Tune into this week’s episode of Bliss’n Up here]
With love and clarity,
Bliss’n Up Podcast
P.S. Do you know someone who is always chasing for joy, happiness, and bliss and can’t seem to find it? Forward them this email and let them know how much you care about their well-being. 💛
Intentional living
Happy Sacred Sunday!
Tonight was supposed to be the night I celebrated School Year’s Eve with my three boys. That’s because I thought my oldest son was leaving on his weeklong trip with his school on Monday. I realized yesterday morning that he was actually leaving on Sunday night, which meant we had to rearrange our plans and celebrate last night (Saturday).
The experience was a little different from what we are used to. One change was that for the first time we went out to dinner instead of having dinner at home.
But the other change was the decision to skip the grapes, sparkling cider cheer, and countdown. (Scroll to the top to see our picture.)
Why? Because it felt anticlimactic to do this part of the tradition on a Saturday when one kid wasn’t starting school until Wednesday, the other Thursday, and the last one next Monday.
Orlando suggested, and the boys agreed, to set intentions together at dinner as we’ve always done but do the school year’s eve countdown separately with each kid the night before their first day of school.
This reminded me of what I spoke about in Episode 65 about the way an anchor works.
When you drop an anchor into the water, you prevent your boat from drifting away, but it still has room to move with the current.
A part of me felt sad yesterday that School Year’s Eve wasn’t exactly the way we’ve always done it.
It was a preview of the reality that as these boys become men, life will look different. Our close-knit 5 finger family will evolve, and our traditions will have to adapt.
But it was also an opportunity to witness the power of the anchor.
As we sat at dinner and read through the boys’ intentions from previous years… as they discussed what worked and didn’t work, celebrated successes, and shared what they learned in the process… as I watched them write this year’s intentions with conviction, clarity, and desire… I noticed how ingrained this practice has become and how seriously they take it.
It occurred to me that THIS is the anchor.
That’s what all the bells and whistles were for … to encourage them to enjoy creating a life of intention.
Circumstances will always change, but principles are what we want to remain anchored to.
And that leads me to the principle I shared in today’s podcast episode.
The difference between wanting and wishing.
Last night a little thought crept into my mind: I wish my kids were still little.
But even though sometimes I wish they could be little again, that’s not actually what I want.
Because what I want is for my kids to grow into the highest and best versions of themselves. I want to witness every step of their journey. i want to grow with them and enjoy many adventures with them. I want to remember the good old days with nostalgia, knowing that the present is a temporary gift, and the best is yet to come.
Wishes are often the way our minds play tricks on us.
I walked into Orly’s room and saw the big blue suitcase on the floor, nicely organized and packed. I held his handwritten intentions in a ziplock bag. And I took a moment to breathe in deep gratitude for this moment, knowing that in just a couple of years we’ll be toasting his leaving for college.
I released my wishes and focused on the truth that what I really want is exactly what I have.
This moment.
Right here.
Right now.
That is what I’m anchored to right now.
What about you?
P.S. If this message made you think of someone, would you forward it to them? A simple “this made me think of you” could be exactly the encouragement they need today.
Happy Sacred Sunday!
In 2019 I created a celebratory ritual, which became an annual tradition, which forever changed the way my family begins a new year.
I called it School Year’s Eve.
I didn’t quite realize it at the time, but that was the beginning of my Live with Intention framework.
And let me tell you… it was a gamechanger.
I remember one year, one of my younger boys said he wanted to set the intention of “having a best friend like my older brother does.”
His brother had a best friend who had become like family, and his little heart longed for that kind of connection.
We didn’t know that my son had this desire. But when he put the pen to paper, it came pouring out.
We didn’t try to make the school year about getting better grades or achievements. We let his heart choose what mattered most.
Fast forward to the next School Year’s Eve … he didn’t make a best friend … he found a whole group of them!
His relationships flourished that year. He found his people.
And what’s fascinating is that it was the same group as the year prior!
Nothing changed but for him noticing what he desired, naming it, and nurturing it intentionally.
✨This week on the podcast, I’m sharing all the details about School Year’s Eve so you can adopt this powerful tradition in your own family — or pass it along to families with school-aged children.
And tomorrow, we kick off the Bliss’n Up Hub, a 6 month container designed to help YOU live with intention in your own life.
I’ve learned that the best way to influence others is to become the role model first.
Be the one who leads the way — not because of what you say, but rather because of what you do, and who you are.
Let’s create rituals.
Let’s live with rhythm.
Let’s set intentions and transform our mindset, wellness, and relationships, together.
This is the work.
And it’s such important work.
I can’t wait to anchor into August with you.
Sending you so much love,
P.S. I’m jumping LIVE on zoom today at 12pm and 5pm to answer questions about the hub. if you want to join in, reply to this email and I’ll send you the zoom link.
Cheers from Arizona,
I hope you’re off to a beautiful Sacred Sunday.
I’m sneaking in this email before I head off to spend the day at one of my happiest places: The National Speaker’s Association Influence Convention.
My father started bringing me with him to this convention when I was 13-years-old. It became our annual tradition, and a week I looked forward to al year.
10 years ago when my dad passed, I wasn’t sure I could come back without him. Would it be too painful or too lonely?
A few of my NSA friends convinced me to attend.
As soon as the sliding doors swished open and I got hit with the cold A/C air, and a hotel lobby full of familiar faces with badges around their necks … I felt my father everywhere.
It didn’t feel like I was coming without him—it felt like coming home to him, just for a few days, all over again.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of bringing each of my boys once they were old enough to attend the youth program. Here, they get to experience a piece of their grandfather’s legacy—and now, their mom’s too.
NSA is one of our anchors — and you’ll know why that’s important when you tune into the podcast today!
Join me on the podcast this morning as we go through our monthly Live with Intention framework. As we get ready to step into a new month, it’s time to notice, name, and nurture the life we’re living and designing.
As for me, I can’t wait to soak up all the information and inspiration I can this week so I can come back to share it with you.
Remind me to tell you the back story of how I got this sharpie tattoo written on my arms and what it means. It was an incredible experience!
Sending you so much love, today and always,
P.S. Did you know that on August 4th we are kicking off the Bliss’n Up Hub? This hub is a 6 month container where you get to work side by side with me in noticing, naming and nurturing your dream life. This is the space for you to put all this inspiration into practice and create a life that sparks bliss. Sign up today or reply back to me if you have any questions.
Happy Sacred Sunday!
I just returned from dropping off two of my boys at sleep away camp for the first time. I woke up extra early this morning to write them little notes and sneak them into little spots in between their clothes in their suitcases.
I imagined them arriving at camp, pulling out a shirt or a pair of socks and finding the little note.
I imagined their little smiles when they find the second one, and the third one.
I wondered if I placed them strategically enough so they find them at different times throughout the week, or if they’ll find them all at once.
These are little things I do to romanticize life.
Because life is going to happen regardless.
The bags will get packed. The boys will get on the bus. They’ll have their experience. I’ll have mine. And the days will pass.
But romanticizing life sparks a little extra connection. A little extra magic. A little extra joy.
I learned this little ritual from my mom. She always left me little notes in my bags when I traveled. Back then I didn’t know she was romanticizing my life, but I see it clearly now. And I am so grateful for those momenticos that I can now pass down to my children.
This week on the podcast I’m talking about 3 ways you can romanticize your life too and why it’s such a powerful practice.
It’s easy to do, and it can completely shift the energy in your life.
This might be my favorite episode of all time, because it’s one of my favorite practices.
Oh, and I have something super exciting to share with you today also.
Today is the first time I air the podcast with video!!!!! So now you can listen, or watch and listen 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Tune in and keep bliss’ning, because the bliss you’re seeking is already within you.
Sending you so much love today and always,
Bliss’n Up Podcast
P.S. If this message has been a gift in your life, would you be kind enough to pay it forward by liking, following, or leaving a review wherever you listen? Your support helps us reach more people who could benefit. Feel free to share it on your socials as well — that would be a lovely surprise. Thank you! 💛
There’s one thing we know for sure:
Regardless of what kind of relationship you have with your mother…
If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t be in this world.
So today, on this Sacred Sunday, let’s pause to honor the mothers — those who birthed us, raised us, loved us, or simply gave us life. Let’s thank them for being the vessel through which we entered this world.
Happy Sacred Sunday!
Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to lead a mission statement workshop for a family. The mother had previously attended one of my workshops and wanted her husband and children to experience it too.
Picture this: Mom and Dad, their five kids (ages 19 to 30), three spouses, and a few babies — all gathered on a Thursday night, after a long day of work, at Mom and Dad’s house to discover their personal missions.
The place was a mad house and I couldn’t believe Mom had pulled this off. 😂
This is how she did it:
- She told them she wanted them to participate in an activity (no details).
- She said it was her Mother’s Day gift.
And they showed up.
Every single one of them.
At first, I wondered how they’d respond.
Would they be annoyed? Disengaged? Scrolling on their phones?
But they were such troopers and engaged the entire time.
Each of them walked away with something powerful — a personal mission statement to help them live with intention and solid principles.
And guess what? They even enjoyed it. 😮
It touched my heart that this mother dared to create such a meaningful experience, even though it seemed inconvenient or risky at first. All she wanted was to give her family a tool for their success.
Someone once said, “The person who learns the most in any classroom is the teacher.”
And let me tell you — I learned so much from her that night.
Mom inspired me to dare to create a similar experience for my own family.
So yesterday, I gathered my “five fingers” (my three teenage boys and my husband) plus my mom, stepdad, and sister to do a Bliss on the Bottle Vision Casting activity together.
Now, you can probably imagine the enthusiasm level when I told three teenage boys what we’d be doing. 😅
But just like Mom’s family…
They showed up. They engaged. And I hope they’ll carry something meaningful from that moment forward.
I was especially grateful to watch my 75-year-old mom cast her visions with joy and enthusiasm.
It reminded me that it’s never too late to keep dreaming and never too early to model what daring looks like.
Whether you’re a mom yourself, celebrating your mother, or learning from a mother’s legacy, this episode will inspire you to reflect on what brave decisions, quiet sacrifices, or bold moments shaped you.
And how you can use those lessons to pave a brighter, bolder way forward.
Let this episode be a gentle invitation to honor the many forms of daring, especially the ones passed down through the women who molded us.
To all the mothers, the mother-figures, and the lessons they continue to give us…
Happy Mother’s Day.
Bliss’n Up Podcast
Happy Sacred Sunday!
“May the 4th be with you” has become a famous, albeit unofficial holiday, stemming from a clever play on the Star Wars movie phrase.
As a true lover of words, I love May 4th 
.
But today I love it a little extra … because today is also the day we celebrate the one year anniversary of Bliss’n Up on the podcast. (Cinco de Mayo is the official birthday, but we’re celebrating on this Sacred Sunday).
When I told my husband, Orlando, that I was it had been one year since I launched Bliss’n Up, he didn’t believe me. He’d shake his head and repeat, “no Caro. It can’t be! Time is passing too fast!”
It occurred to me that without any milestones, the passing of one May 4th to the other would be insignificant. It reminded me of the story I read years ago about a Native American man who told his grandfather he dreamed of becoming a lawyer.
The grandfather asked, “if that is your dream, then why don’t you go to law school?’
“I’m 47 years old, grandpa. I’m too old to go to lawschool.”
The grandfather put his hand on the man’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. “Son, in 3 years you will be 50. The only difference is you’ll be a 50 year lawyer, or you won’t.”
Time will pass regardless, but it is our responsibility to make that time intentional.
From now on, May 5th (and 4th this year) will forever mark a dream I dared to bring to life — even if it unbelievable how quickly it sprung up on us.
This week on Bliss’n Up, I’m reflecting on our anniversary and closing the loop on the 1st episode: Getting out of the trying loop and diving in.
There is a lot to learn about going from trying to doing and I’m so happy to be on the other side of this story to share those golden nuggets with you.
May the 4th be with you to DARE to chase your dreams, live your best life, and create your own reality,
And thank you for joining along in my journey; thank you for reading this weekly newsletter, listening to the podcast, and being part of our Bliss’n Up community. This work wouldn’t matter if I didn’t have you to share it with.
Happy anniversary to us!
Bliss’n Up Podcast
Happy Sacred Sunday!
Lately I’ve had this question burning in my soul:
How do we blissten when there is so much pain, chaos, heartbreak, and tragedy in the world?
Blisstening is all about listening for the bliss already within you. It’s about celebrating, savoring, and witnessing those sparks of bliss that life offers us.
But every so often, we’re bombarded by painful stories, heartbreaking tragedies, and the realization that there is so much suffering in the world.
Sometimes we’re so immersed in the rhythm of our own lives that we feel disconnected from these things.
Other times, they hit so close to home that they shake us to the core.
I’ve experienced my share of pain in this life, personally and through people I love deeply. Because of that, I know that even in the darkest seasons, we can experience moments of light, of laughter, and joy.
But I often wonder… is it wrong to share that joy out loud when others are hurting?
This week on Bliss’n Up, I’m exploring how to navigate this delicate question.
I still have much to learn, but what I know for sure is this:
Choosing to seek out sparks of bliss is not about turning your back on the world’s pain.
It’s about becoming an agent of light—for yourself and for those around you.
This is why we live with intention.
So we may notice both the heartbreak and the beauty.
Name the path we choose to walk.
And nurture a life that honors that path.
In doing so, we embrace the full spectrum of what Glennon Doyle calls, this brutiful life.
So this Sunday, whether you’re celebrating Easter or simply soaking in the spirit of renewal, may you remember:
Even in the darkest moments, there is light to be found.
May you notice the sparks of bliss within you.
And may you offer your light to others, bravely.
🎧 Tune in to today’s episode for a deeper reflection and practical guidance on carrying hope, finding connection, and living with a big heart … even when it hurts.
With so much love and hope,.
Happy Sacred Sunday!
I spent the day hosting my Bliss on a Bottle workshop, guiding a beautiful group through the CORE, Living with Intention, and DARE frameworks.
When asked to name their word of the year, two women chose the word ALIGNMENT—and I couldn’t help but smile (and savor the synchronicity ☺️).
Because alignment is exactly what this week’s Bliss’n Up episode is all about.
✨ What does it really mean to take aligned action?
Not action for the sake of being productive.
Not doing what you’re supposed to do or what you’ve always done.
But using small, intentional shifts to bring your actions into agreement with your values, your priorities, and your dreams.
In this episode, I share three mindset shifts that help me live and parent with more intention.
Plus, I am so inspired by this topic that I am going to host a masterclass on it very soon. So stay tuned—details are coming!
But for now, I hope you’ll listen in to the podcast. May this be the message you needed to hear this week.
With love and an aligned heart,
Bliss’n Up Podcast
Happy Sacred Sunday!
My favorite part of connecting with you each week is sharing a meaningful story, or a moment of clarity, that invites you to reflect on your own life and circumstances.
This week is a little different… because I’m sitting with a story I almost shared too soon.
But there’s a lesson in that, too.
This morning, we released our Bliss’n UP podcast episode at 6 am like we always do, which included a story I’d been holding in my heart for months.
It was full of magic, synchronicity, and bliss.
But shortly thereafter, I took it down.
Not because I don’t want to share the story, but because this moment deserves space to unfold the way it was meant to.
Sometimes, in our excitement to share something beautiful — whether it’s a story, a dream, or a decision, — we rush it.
And that’s what I did.
I acted from my heart, but not in full alignment with the entire puzzle.
I didn’t realize it until after the fact. So I took a deep breath, and made a new choice.
A better one.
Instead of rushing the story out into the world, I’m honoring the pause.
The stillness.
The power of timing and trust.
This served as a reminder that we’re allowed to be human.
When we make mistakes, we get to course-correct.
So instead of the moment of clarity I planned to share with you this week, maybe this is the one you were meant to receive:
Sometimes, you take aligned action—and then realize there’s more alignment needed.
That doesn’t mean you failed.
It means you’re listening.
It means you’re in tune enough to pause, reflect, and re-align.
So what if the shifts aren’t a delay…
but meaningful lessons unfolding along the way?
Breathe. Trust. Let it bloom.
With love and a heart full of anticipation,