Mantra “I save my energy for what makes me bloom.”

Opening Reflection:
Life is a journey, much like traveling down a river. The people closest to you are sharring your boat. Notice who rows with you, who calms the waves, who steers with love, but also those who rock the boat, trying to tip you or even capsize your spirit. Progress is only made when the people in your boat row in the same direction. The current can carry us far, but the energy of those around us makes all the difference. Tonight, we explore how to spend our energy wisely, to know when to hold on and when to let go, so our spirit may flow with greater ease and joy.

Topic 1 – Knowing When to Walk Away

Reflection:
There is wisdom in recognizing when to stop pouring energy into something that is no longer alive—like continuing to water a plant that has long since died. Mindfulness teaches us to see things as they are, not as we wish them to be. When we cling to what drains us, we sacrifice our vitality. When something cannot be changed, perhaps we are invited to embrace the idea that it is simply a truth to be accepted. Letting go is not failure—it is choosing freedom for what truly nourishes us.

Metaphor:
It’s like watching a terrible movie. You keep hoping it will get better—you know the cast is talented, so you wait for the twist that redeems it. But then the ending comes, the credits roll, and nothing has changed. You’ve traded hours of your life for something that never nourished your soul. And let’s hope it wasn’t a series! The sooner we see the truth, the sooner we can save our time for what is truly worth watching.

Quotes:
“Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.” – Aubrey de Grey
“Sometimes walking away has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with strength.” – Unknown
“Energy flows where attention goes. Choose wisely.” – Michael Beckwith

Topic 2 – The Garden of Priorities

Reflection:
Life offers us countless opportunities, but we cannot say yes to them all. Like a gardener, we must prune, water, and nourish only what we truly wish to see grow. This takes courage—to let go of the unnecessary so our deepest intentions can bloom.

Metaphor:
A gardener knows not to crowd the soil with too many seeds. Each plant needs space and care. So too, our energy must be directed with wisdom, not scattered in every direction.

Quotes:
“You can do anything, but not everything.” – David Allen
“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” – Steve Jobs
“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.” – Russian proverb

Topic 3 – The Leaky Bucket

Reflection:
Some relationships, habits, or commitments drain us no matter how much we pour in. Sometimes we don’t notice the leaks, and we keep giving without ever feeling full. In the end, we are left wondering why we feel so emotionally drained. The practice is to pause and ask: Does this sustain me, or does it only deplete me? You can always make more money, but you cannot make more time and energy.

Scientists say the average human burns through about the same energy in a day as a 100-watt lightbulb glowing for nearly 24 hours. But when our lives are filled with drama, conflict, and constant stress, it’s as if someone cranks our wattage up to 150. We burn hotter, we drain faster, and we risk burning out long before our time. Mindfulness teaches us not only to protect our light, but to choose wisely where we shine it.

Metaphor:
It’s like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom. No matter how much water you add, it never stays full. Sometimes the wisest choice is not to add more, but to repair the leak—or get a new bucket.

Quotes:
“You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” – Eleanor Brown
“Stop watering things that were never meant to grow.” – Unknown
“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” – Pema Chödrön

Topic 4 – The Sunrise

Reflection:
Letting go is not just about ending something. It is about creating space for what is next. After every night comes a morning. When we release what no longer serves, we allow the light of a new beginning to enter.

Metaphor:
No matter how long or dark the night feels, the sun always rises, painting the world with fresh color. Renewal is built into life itself. May your next sunset leave you with a sense of closure and satisfaction, and your next sunrise fill your soul with a sense of hope and new possibilities.

Quotes:
“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha
“Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile, and start again.” – Unknown
“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo

Topic 5 – Companions Who Lift Us

Reflection:
The people we surround ourselves with shape the rhythm of our lives. Some drain us, while others truly rejoice in our happiness. These are the ones who create synergy with us—where being together makes something more beautiful than either could create alone. Tonight, take a moment to think of someone in your life you are grateful for, someone whose presence lightens your spirit. Gratitude for these companions strengthens the bond and reminds us to nurture what uplifts us.

When it comes to advice, consider the “tone” of the messenger. No one needs a friend who is unrealistically positive all the time, but we must be careful not to build our path on voices that lean mostly negative. If someone’s words usually leave you drained, heavy, or doubtful, that’s a signal. If their words leave you lighter, clearer, or more courageous, that’s a different signal. And remember: we should not take criticism from someone we would never go to for advice.

Metaphor:
The Buddha once spoke of the restless chaos of monkeys by the river, but imagine the peaceful monkey not sitting alone, but alongside one true friend. They share fruit, sit in stillness, and find joy in each other’s calm. One good companion can be worth more than ten parasitic relationships. Better to walk the path with one heart aligned with yours than with many pulling in different directions.

Quotes:
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Pay close attention to people who don’t clap when you win.” – Unknown (popularly attributed to Leonardo DiCaprio)
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” – Unknown
“May you use the gifts you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.” – St. Theresa

Closing Reflection:
Life is amazing, then it’s awful, and then amazing again. In between, it is ordinary. But in every phase—joy, suffering, and routine—we hold the power to choose where our energy flows. Like the gardener, like the rising sun, like the good friend by the river, our choices shape our journey.