By Casandra | A Home Within

I laced up my shoes like I’ve done a hundred times before. But something about today felt different. Maybe it was the energy in the air — light, clear, filled with intention.

Maybe it was me.

At the gym, my body moved like poetry.

I ran my full 1.25 miles — strong, steady, floating. I hit every movement in my lift, held each pose in my stretch, and surrendered to ten humid minutes in the sauna. The rhythm, the music, the atmosphere — all of it flowed in harmony.

But what moved me even more than my body today…

was what moved within me.

🔥 Stillness in the Heat

I never take my phone into the sauna. It’s my temple of silence. A place to listen to the sound of my own breath, to sweat out the noise of the world.

Today, it was crowded. Six people. All on their phones. All scrolling, disconnected from their bodies, the warmth, the moment.

TikTok. Instagram. Swiping. Tapping. Disappearing.

I didn’t judge — I recognized.

Once upon a time, that was me.

And now?

I sit in the heat, in presence.

I breathe.

I listen.

I see.

It made me wonder: how many people in this world are truly awake and aware? iykyk.

How many souls are walking through life asleep with their eyes wide open, distracted by devices, scrolling through someone else’s dream instead of living their own?

It’s not a question of superiority — it’s a reflection of grace.

A noticing. A quiet invitation.

I am not better, but I am different than I once was.

And that difference is everything.

🛒 Kindness at the Exit

Afterward, I stopped at Walmart.

I needed supplies for our CNA and CMA celebration at work. I picked up the cough drops for our residents, some essentials for my upcoming camping trip, and things for myself. Four receipts later, I headed toward the exit.

The woman checking receipts smiled and thanked me for handing them to her with patience.

Then she paused and said something I won’t forget:

“Thank you for your kindness.”

She meant it.

She felt it.

And her words hit me in the heart.

It made me wonder how often she’s met with coldness, rudeness, dismissal.

It reminded me: kindness is rare in a rushed world. But it shouldn’t be.

I smiled back and wished her a beautiful night.

I hope our exchange replaced some of her hard moments that day — even if only for a breath.

🏃‍♀️ Flying on the Treadmill

Back to the gym — because this part matters.

Today was the first day running felt like flying.

I’ve heard of the runner’s high, but this felt like something else — like dancing with gravity. Like lightness. Like flow.

My body didn’t resist; it rejoiced.

And if you would’ve asked me two months ago if I liked running, I would’ve laughed. “Nope. Not a runner.” That was the script I repeated.

But I’ve flipped it.

I rewrote it.

Running loves me now.

Because mindset — as I recently heard on a Danny Morell podcast — is how we think of ourselves.

You think you’re lazy? You’ll live lazy.

You think you’re not a runner? You’ll resist running.

You think you’re powerful, vibrant, and healing?

Then you become that.

🌿 The Daily G: God + Gratitude

I start each morning with what I call my Daily G of God.

A Bible verse, a reflection, a prayer delivered to my inbox — a moment of connection before I connect with the world.

At night, I end with the Daily G of Gratitude.

What did I learn today?

What made me smile?

What challenged me but helped me grow?

It’s simple. Sacred. Grounding.

It reminds me that no matter the chaos of the day — I chose my mindset.

And that makes all the difference.

🌙 Final Thoughts

I used to scroll through life.

Now, I stretch into it.

I used to run from things.

Now, I run toward something —

my strength, my clarity, my soul.

I hope, wherever you are in your journey, you remember:

You are allowed to wake up.

You are allowed to choose kindness.

You are allowed to rewrite your story.

And if you’re looking for a sign…

this is it.

💬 Journal Prompt:

When was the last time you noticed yourself growing in silence?

Reflect on a moment when you acted differently than your old self. What did that teach you about who you are becoming?

🛠️ Mindset Tool:

Start your own “Daily G” ritual.

Morning: G of God – or grounding, guidance, gratitude, whatever “G” works for you. Night: G of Gratitude – write down 3 things that went well today, even the small stuff.

Do it for a week. Watch your mindset shift.

🕊️ Quote to Close:

“The only journey is the one within.”

— Rainer Maria Rilke

Would you like me to create a matching visual for this post? I could make one that reflects the runner’s high and spiritual awakening — something that captures movement, growth, and peace. Let me know your aesthetic preferences.