August 2026 Week 1

Welcome to August!
So much is happening right now...and how did we get to the midpoint of summer already?
August carries a unique energy. Summer begins to shift. We may realize we've been pushing—trying to accomplish more, fit more in, or become a better version of ourselves before fall arrives. Or perhaps we're already thinking ahead to everything waiting for us in the months ahead.
But what if, instead, we paused?
What if we released the energy of forcing?
What if growth asked for more listening?
Last month our intention was "I live from the inside out." That invited us to ask, "What am I choosing?"
This month, let's build on that by asking a different question:
"How am I choosing to move through life?"
What if the answer wasn't found in more effort, but in more softness, presence, and trust?
Our August intention is:
I choose softness over striving.
To me, this feels like a beautiful and natural progression from July—a continuation of living an intentional summer.
Earlier this week I came across this reflection from one of my favorites, Jay Shetty:
"Peace is what happens when our desires stop being demands our lives must meet. So, my invitation to you today is this: hold your desires more gently—whatever you're hoping for—so your peace does not depend entirely on whether life delivers. Where can you loosen your grip right now?"
Once again, we're reminded:
I choose softness over striving.
There are a couple of things happening energetically right now.
First, we are in the Lion's Gate Portal.
Second, we are moving toward next week's solar eclipse.
Whether or not you follow astrology, both can serve as meaningful reminders to pause, reflect, and begin again with intention. This week I'd like to focus on the Lion's Gate Portal and share a simple writing exercise.
The Lion's Gate Portal, observed each August, is often associated with clarity, courage, and aligning with the life you truly want to live. It spans approximately July 26 through August 12 and reaches its symbolic peak on August 8 (8/8)—the number eight representing the infinity symbol.
Regardless of what you believe about astrology, this can simply become a beautiful invitation to pause, become intentional, and reconnect with what matters most.
Our intention fits perfectly with this moment. When we become clear about what we want to release and what we want to welcome, we don't have to force the life we're hoping for. Instead, we begin creating space for it to unfold.
A Lion's Gate Reflection
Grab a piece of paper and divide it into two sides.
On one side, write:
I release...
One belief
One fear
One habit
Then turn the paper over and write:
I welcome...
One feeling
One quality
One possibility
Then complete this sentence:
My next right step is...
Choose one small action that moves you toward what you want to create.
Now ask yourself:
If your wisest self could offer you one word for this next season, what would it be?
Write:
My word is __________ because...
Then write one small action that honors that word this week.
Finally, imagine you are writing the next chapter of your life's story.
Ask yourself:
What do I want to include?
What do I want to leave behind?
Take some time to complete this before the Lion's Gate peak on August 8. Then watch for a short recorded meditation and practice that I'll share that day.
The beautiful thing is that once you've done this inner work—becoming clear about what you're releasing and what you're inviting in—the next step isn't doing more.
It's embodying those intentions.
Finally, let's connect this month's Yoga Sutra, 1.35:
"By meditating on subtle inner sensory experiences, the mind becomes steady."
Notice how beautifully these three ideas come together:
Our monthly intention: I choose softness over striving.
Yoga Sutra 1.35: Steadiness comes through subtle inner awareness.
The Lion's Gate Portal: An invitation to align with purpose rather than force outcomes.
Perhaps this is the real practice of August.
Not striving to become someone new.
Simply softening enough to become more fully yourself.