Living Life The Happy Way - Rachel Stokes

01/01/2026

Greeting the New Year with Hope ✨

As we step into this new year, we do so gently…
Not rushing.
Not demanding perfection.
But opening our hearts to hope.

Hope reminds us that no matter what the last year held—
joy or grief, clarity or confusion—
there is still light ahead.
There is still possibility.
There is still room to grow, heal, and begin again.

At Living Life The Happy Way, we greet the new year not with pressure,
but with presence.
With a willingness to listen inward.
With trust that each small, intentional step matters.

May this year meet you with:
💜 moments of peace
💜 unexpected blessings
💜 deep breaths when things feel heavy
💜 and the courage to keep choosing yourself

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Just arrive with an open heart.

Here’s to a year guided by hope, compassion, and intention.
✨ Welcome, New Year ✨

12/30/2025

✨ Intentions vs. Resolutions — A New Year Reframe ✨

As the new year approaches, we hear a lot about resolutions…
But what if this year, you chose intentions instead?

Resolutions focus on what you want to fix or accomplish.
They often come with pressure, rules, and an all-or-nothing mindset.

Intentions focus on how you want to live and feel.
They are gentle, flexible, and rooted in awareness—not force.

🌱 A resolution says:
“I will work out every day.”

🌊 An intention says:
“I intend to honor my body and listen to what it needs.”

One is a finish line.
The other is a compass.

Intentions don’t require perfection.
They invite presence, compassion, and self-trust—especially when life shifts or your nervous system needs care.

This year, instead of asking:
❓ What should I change about myself?

Try asking:
💜 How do I want to move through this year?
💜 What energy do I want to carry with me?

From that place, aligned actions naturally follow.

May this new year be guided not by pressure…
…but by intention. ✨

12/30/2025

Today I had the honor of holding a private sound bath for a couple.
The energy in the space was gentle, loving, and deeply supportive.
Watching them hold space for one another, soften, and truly open was incredibly moving.
Moments like this are a reminder of how powerful shared intention and sound can be.

12/29/2025

💜 Living Life The Happy Way

🌙 January 2026 Schedule 🌙

A new year.
A fresh energy.
An invitation to slow down, listen inward, and move with intention.

January with Living Life The Happy Way is all about grounding, clarity, and gently opening ourselves to what’s ready to unfold. Whether you come for stillness, sound, movement, or community—there is space for you here.

✨ January Gatherings ✨

🌿 S.I.P. (Sharing Is Powerful) a support group for women.
Every Friday Morning
Begin your day with calm, connection, and intention.

🌀 Labyrinth Walking Meditation
📅 1-1-26
Step into the New Year with purpose—release what no longer serves and walk out with clarity.

🌕 Full Moon Ritual
📅 1-3-26
A sacred gathering for release, reflection, and energetic clearing under the full moon.

🎶 Sound Bath & Group Reiki
🤍 Collaboration with Lois Poe
📅 1-11-26
A deeply restorative experience of sound, energy, and shared healing.

🌑 New Moon Ritual & Sound Bath
📅 1-18-26
Plant new seeds, set intentions, and bathe in sound as we align with the new lunar cycle.

✨ The Intention Experience
🤍 Collaboration with Shawn Porche
📅 1-24-26
A multi-sensory journey of sound, journaling, movement, intention-setting, and essential oil creation to support your vision for 2026.

💫 Come as you are.
💫 Leave more connected than when you arrived.

Living Life The Happy Way
Holding space. Creating community. Walking together.

12/19/2025

Tonight we gathered to celebrate the Spirit of Christmas with the women of ADA Women’s Center.

The Living Life The Happy Way community came together to create a beautiful and intentional Christmas experience. We shared a meal, spent time in connection, played games, and each woman was showered with gifts given with care and love.

The evening was filled with a deep sense of gratitude — present in every act of giving and received with open hearts. There was a gentle, meaningful energy in the room that reminded us of the power of showing up for one another.

A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who donated gifts and stocking stuffers, cooked, served, and helped behind the scenes. Your generosity and willingness to support these women made this celebration possible.

This is the heart of community. 💜

12/14/2025

12/14/2025

Our LLTHW holiday party was such a beautiful reminder of why community matters.
Friends, laughter, hugs, shared food, thoughtful gifts—and so much love.
Each woman in this circle holds a special place in my heart.
The Moon Cottage was absolutely glowing with love last night. 💫💜

12/12/2025

Happy Friday! 🎉
There’s actually science behind why Friday feels so good.

As the week winds down, your brain releases more dopamine—the “anticipation” chemical. Dopamine spikes not because Friday itself is magical, but because your brain is expecting reward: rest, freedom, connection, fun. Your nervous system finally gets permission to exhale.

Here’s the powerful part:
You can train your brain to feel this way any day.

✨ How to retrain your brain:
• Create daily rewards – something small to look forward to (a walk, tea ritual, music, calling a friend).
• Anchor joy – pair ordinary moments with pleasure so your brain links weekdays with good feelings.
• Practice gratitude intentionally – this increases serotonin and rewires your brain toward contentment.
• End your day with intention – closure signals safety to your nervous system, just like Fridays do.

Friday isn’t the source of happiness—your expectations are.
When you give your brain something to look forward to, every day can feel a little more like Friday 💜

12/12/2025

What a wonderful time was had by all at our monthly Lunch & Learn with the women of ADA Women’s Center.

This month, our gratitude focus was a little different—we reflected on what we are most grateful for within ourselves. It was beautiful to witness the women pause, reflect, and speak kindly about who they are and how far they’ve come.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of pork sliders and chips, topped off with Sandy’s absolutely fabulous brownies.

After lunch, Eva, Sandy, and I guided the group through three different holiday-inspired crafts. Laughter, creativity, and connection filled the room, making it a truly meaningful afternoon. 💜