Episode 372 Release, Align, Rise
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I explain the triple nine portal of last Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The number nine invites us to close old cycles and prepare for a fresh start. Triple nine energy equals Release, Align, Rise. It’s not too late for you to focus on what you what to release, how you can forgive yourself and others with compassion and rise into a higher vibration. Reflect on what no longer serves you. Envision how you can show up more consciously and confidently for yourself, your relationships, your work and the proactive work needed in our country now. Let these three...
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Episode 371 Remembering Mom
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s podcast I remember my mother, Sylvia Sinclair Carr Berking, whose birthday was less than 2 weeks ago, on August 28th. It would have been Mom’s 96th birthday. She was 86 and a half when she died on February 7th, 2015. It’s nearly 11 years since my mom died and I think of my Mom on a regular basis. I am so grateful for my mother’s generosity, humor and her spiritual curiosity. In the last two years of her life, Mom articulated what she was living for and trusted that the Universe would help manifest that desire. Being confined to a wheel chair after her left...
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Episode 370 Happy Labor Day
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this Labor Day, as the summer comes to a close and you (hopefully) enjoy a day off, time with family and friends, before the school year starts, let’s not forget all those who have risked so much to protect our work force. May we advocate for even better working conditions that reflect social justice, decent work and the safety and health of all workers. Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the podcast. Links:
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Episode 369 Light As A Feather
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share my recent encounter with a hawk feather and all that brought up for me. What words, images and spiritual wisdom do you associate with a hawk feather? May the qualities of gentleness, softness, light, spirit, gliding and expansion bless you this week. May you feel the presence of the spiritual realm guiding you, watching over you and protecting you. May the hawk feather remind you that you have the strength to conquer any challenges that come your way. May you see things from a higher vantage point, sharpen your vision and have the clarity to make decisions...
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Episode 368 Remember and Reignite
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I acknowledge how helpful it is to remember and reignite some of the meaningful experiences we’ve had, even if life tends to tuck them away on a shelf. Being with my cousin and her husband last week, and their genuine interest in my June trip to Vietnam, I remembered and reignited a deeply moving experience I had. My visit to the Tu Hieu Temple where Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was ordained at the age of 16 and where he returned to for the last 8 years of his life, was recalled and honored. I am so grateful to remember and reignite how important that visit to the...
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Episode 367 A Glimpse Of Heaven
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share my vision of what heaven entails and the magnificent glimpse of heaven I experienced at my niece’s wedding last week. The couple’s radiance of love, compassion, mindfulness and integrity raised the vibration for us all to break down the illusion of separation and show up with our best selves. This incredible couple, how they live their lives and their inspiring circle of friends, truly enlightened me. My soul was refreshed and nourished and I was infused with more hope than I have felt in a long time. I hope you, too, are enjoying some glimpses of...
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Episode 366 Humility Revisited
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I revisit the power of humility. I had chosen the word HUMILITY for my word of 2025 and as we enter the 8th month of the year, it continues to be exactly the word I needed. Humility can be applied in any situation - casual interactions and intense interactions. Humility can be used for our own self talk or the way we approach people and situations. It’s humbling to recognize that I am only in charge of my own life. Humility helps me be honest about my strengths and weaknesses. Humility gives me the patience to listen to others, admit my mistakes, demonstrate...
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Episode 365 Honoring Joanna Macy
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I honor Joanna Macy, PH.D, author, teacher, a scholar of Buddhism, systems thinking and deep ecology. Joanna died last week at the age of 96, and I trust that her respected voice in movements for peace, justice and ecology will live on in my heart and in the world. Whether you know her rich contribution to our consciousness or she is new to you, I invite you to learn about Joanna Macy. See how she might touch your heart and inspire you to awaken, stretch, and live more fully. Check out the show notes for links to her website, interviews and books. Enjoy...
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Episode 364 May Kindness Prevail
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, the word that stands out from my 3 weeks away is KINDNESS. There were so many random acts of kindness that I experienced while traveling in Vietnam and Bali, from people I know and cherish, as well as from strangers. So today I pause, reflect and absorb how powerful it is to receive and give kindness. Our small acts of kindness are often returned with humility, gratitude and graciousness. Kindness generates more kindness. May you offer kindness to anyone you come in contact with. May you receive the gift of kindness, even from unexpected places. May the kindness we...
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Episode 363 For Presence
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, as I travel from Vietnam to Bali, I offer John O’Donohue’s blessing “For Presence”. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, may you take a moment to pause and tune into being present. Be present to your surroundings, to your body, to your thoughts, to your feelings. What a gift to pay attention, to open up to appreciation, gratitude and compassion. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. May you be present to the mystery of being alive. Enjoy the podcast!
info_outline Most of us can agree that 2020 has been a very difficult year. I am finally feeling some positive energy within reach, thanks to the election win of Biden/Harris. Where were you when you learned that Biden/Harris had finally been declared President and Vice-President of the United States? What feelings surfaced for you? I bet you have a story to tell.
So many stories have been shared formally and informally of where people were and how they found out the joyous news. The Biden/Harris win ignited tremendous joy throughout the country and around the world. Countless celebrations erupted from big cities to small towns, infused with an outpouring of spirited, enthusiastic banner-waving, singing, dancing, live musicians, DJs and solidarity. Saturday November 7th, 2020 provided a day of release, relief, hope and joy!
Even with that day of joy and celebration, I know there is a tremendous amount of work before us, individually and collectively. I pray that the Biden administration follows through on advocating for equal justice, prison reform, justice for all the families who have lost a loved one to police brutality and white supremacy.
Trump is still having his temper tantrums, refusing to accept the results and doing as much damage while he can. Regardless of Trump’s irresponsible, narcissistic, disrespectful antics, we get to watch ourselves respond. What do you notice in yourself? Do you get pulled into the drama? Do the external circumstances throw you off your center? How do you practice ways to stay grounded? How do care for yourself in the midst of the chaos? What thoughts or spiritual practices calm you?
What are you reaching for? What feels within reach for you?
May positive energy, joy, justice, healing, balance, order, decency and democracy be within our reach.
Enjoy the podcast.
Links:
“Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours” edited by Kathleen Deignan
IG: @annemariesiefert