2023 has been one of my favorite chapters in my story.
It’s been a year of letting go (literally and figuratively), embracing, expanding, and evolving.
Unexpected. Surprising. Uncomfortable. Magical. All of it.
I should have known that 2023 was going to bring big changes into my life. If you follow numerology, I was in a Personal Year 9 this past year.
A Personal Year 9, according to numerology, is about completion, unraveling, and letting go. Numerology expert Felicia Bender says, “At the end of the day, this is a year to clear out what’s no longer needed in order to make room for a new, exciting, and more evolved chapter ahead.
It’s a time of change, surrender, and transformation – and this was exactly how 2023 unfolded for me.
Here are notes I saved on my phone last January:
While January and February started off as business as usual, I was let go from my job of 9 years (another 9!) on the last day of February. It was a great job with a lot of freedom, filled with wonderful people. It’s also where I learned how to produce and host a podcast. However, if I am to be honest with myself, there had been an itch for something more, something different … something of my own. But, with safety and security (hello, great health benefits), leaving a comfortable job as a 50+ woman while living in a two-income family in Los Angeles isn’t easy.
I had to be pushed out of the nest. When I heard whispers that my company was downsizing, I wasn’t sure if I was more nervous to be let go – or more nervous to not be let go.
On February 28th I was let go and as you might imagine, many feelings accompanied this moment.
Fear. Excitement. Confusion. Disappointment. Anticipation. All of it.
By some stroke of fate – or Divine timing – many months before I was let go, I had signed up to attend a retreat in Sedona, Arizona. It was a spiritual type of retreat let by Carissa Schumacher, the author of The Freedom Transmissions.
On Tuesday, March 14th, I drove to Sedona. Eight hours alone in my car, listening to music and podcasts, and feeling … wildly free.
Since that retreat, my life hasn’t been the same. Something shifted during those four days.
I laughed, I cried, I connected, I felt joy and wonder in a way that surprised me.
I met three women who have become my spiritual crew. Since the retreat, we speak every week and have forged a deeply supportive and meaningful high-vibe friendship. Through this I’ve rediscovered the power of community.
I learned how to embrace uncertainty – or a void – and that within a void, there can be magical possibilities, if we choose to see them. This continues to be something I call upon when in a place of fear around my future and my family’s future. Around finances and work and life. (But, mostly finances, tbh.)
This past year, I’ve been learning how to embrace faith over fear. It’s not easy and I sometimes fall prey to that beast called fear – yet choosing faith and trust is something I continue to focus on day after day, within my daily practices.
Something else happened after March: complacency took a back seat to courage.
Looking back at my photos from 2023, I realize how much change has happened since March.
Change that happened imperfectly, and nervously, and visibly.
I share these changes (below) as a reminder to myself and to all of us that we are co-creators in our lives. That when life makes a change for us, we can take that energy and momentum and do something with it – if we choose to.
And if we really want to go to the next level, don’t wait for something big to happen in life to make a new change – be that change. Act, rather just react.
Now as I enter 2024, I’m stepping into a Personal 1 Year. The 1 year is about new beginnings and what I want to see grow and blossom in the next nine years. As Bender says, the goal of a one year is to “stand on your own two feet as you begin an entirely new chapter in your life.” (2024 is also a collective 8 year which for all of us is about a year of empowerment and stepping into our potential.)
I hope the year ahead is one where you get to know yourself on a deeper, authentic level. That you connect with the Universe in a way that helps you feel guided. That you create daily practices that support you and your highest vision of yourself and your life.
I hope that this the year you see how much your light is needed in this world.
Keep holding the light.
Xo, Laurie
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2023
Launched ‘Hold the Light’ Podcast: Season One
On June 26th, I launched the first episode of my podcast, Hold the Light. As I say in the trailer:
Hold the Light is a show for lifelong learners, like me, who are curious about the ways we can deepen our connection to our spiritual life and personal development. I’m here to hold the light… for the light holders of the world.
EPISODES:
How We Can Find Meaning, Purpose, and Joy Through Our Awakened Brain
How Tuning Forks Can Teach Us About Our Personal & Spiritual Growth
Hospice Nurse Julie on How to Embrace the Sacredness of Death
21 Rules of the Mind: Every Word We Say Forms a Blueprint in Our Mind
Alexandra Cole on How to Use Human Design for Transformation & Growth
Natalie Miles on Why Embracing Death and Endings Can Help Us Live
The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying (and How They Can Elevate Your Life)
Lisa Haukom: Discovering Self-Compassion and Acceptance Through Self-Portrait Photography
Why Hold the Light – and What Do “The Freedom Transmissions” Have to Do With It?
Feng Shui Expert Alejandra Brady on How Feng Shui Helps Us on Our Purpose and Path
If You’re in a Time of Uncertainty or Facing a Void, Listen to This
Season Two drops on Monday, January 1st!
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
Beach Walks
A moment alone strolling a Santa Monica beach in September gave me the inspo to bring people together for mindful beach walks with writing and meditation. I led three beach walks in October, November, and December. We came together in intimate groups before the sunrise to meditate/breathe/get grounded, walk as the sun rose listening to curated music tracks, and then wrote and connected as a group. This is about community, simplicity, tuning in, and being in nature. I love these gatherings and what is shared between the beautiful souls who attend.
In-Person Workshops
I led my first in-person workshop in my backyard in July as a test run to see how these events might unfold. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but never had the nerve to put something together. My OG group was filled with the most supportive, vulnerable, heart-filled women… and I was hooked. Since then, I’ve co-hosted two events (September and October) with my dear friend Caroline who led a tea ceremony, while I led the groups through meditation, visualizing, and writing exercises. (Caroline has a candle line coming out in January and her Caroline Francis candles will become your new favorites, I guarantee!) In November, I co-hosted a New Moon Circle at my home with spiritual teacher (and new friend) Orly Altaras.
21-DAY “Cultivating Peace” Challenge
For 21 days in December, I led a 21-day cultivating peace challenge. Through daily emails that were a mixture of writing prompts, original meditations and audio exercises, and inspiration, this challenge was really a journey of creating more peace in our lives. 27 people signed up. I was thrilled! By sending daily emails, my hope and intention was that people felt supported by me, and accountable to themselves and their own peace. It was a joy writing these and putting them together. I learned so much and am really excited to continue these challenges/courses/journeys in the new year.
“Create Your Affirmations” App
My partner in all things, Jonathan, and I created a customizable affirmations app where you can choose your “I AM” words and match to original music. Create your own track here or get my free “Amplify Your Energy” affirmations track. We will be iterating on this app in the new year – stay tuned!
GUEST SPOTS ON ALIGNED PODCASTS
This year, I was a guest on three podcasts:
Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan – Talking about cultivating personal and spiritual growth
The Goldenbrand with Lisa Haukom – Talking about job loss, life changes, and fresh starts
Lead from Within with Michele – Talking about learning to walk without rhythm
I put this on my vision board in March:
OTHER THINGS FROM THIS YEAR
A few more things…
My newsletter on Substack: Hold the Light with Laurie Gunning Grossman
Personalized coaching work with people one-on-one
If you’ve made it to the end of this newsletter – thank you! Thank you for your support and encouragement and energy. We are here to support each other on this journey through life, and I feel it from you. I hope you feel it from me.
2024 is the year of transcendent leadership, according to Ophi Edit with The AstroTwins – she’s my first guest on Hold the Light podcast, season two, dropping on Monday, January 1st. Tune in to hear what’s in store for us in the new year. Let’s all transcend and lead with open hearts.
Much love and light,
Laurie
Your story is always being written, edited, and refined.
A new chapter; an unexpected plot twist.
New characters come into play to move your story along.
There are surprises, and unforeseen twists and turns.
Bridging the gap of who you once were and who you are becoming.
It’s a story of faith, it’s a story of allowing, it’s a story of leaning in.
It’s saying yes to your full authenticity.
This story is all of us.
Blown away by how much you’ve created and “revealed” since March. What a gift your presence is to me and to the world! 💖🧚🏼✨