When Memory Blurs but the Moment Burns Bright

I remember the moment as if it were yesterday.

I was sitting in the hotel's parking lot, unsure how I had gotten there. The events leading up to that night are fuzzy, almost erased. But that moment? That moment is seared into my soul.

Have you ever had a defining moment like that? One where your soul wakes up, even if your memory fades around it?

There is a reason for that. Neuroscientists call it the recency effect. We are wired to recall the last thing that happened. It explains why trauma often comes with blurry scenes but crystal-clear emotions. Hermann Ebbinghaus, a pioneer in memory research, first described this phenomenon over a century ago.

But scripture understood it first. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." — Proverbs 4:23

That night, my heart had overflowed with frustration and exhaustion. I was not just physically tired. I was spiritually depleted. What followed was a divine disruption that led me to rebuild my life, not through hustle, but through healing.

In our fast-paced world, it is easy to drift. But you were never meant to live on autopilot. There is a switch inside your brain and your spirit that can shift you from chaos to clarity.

I call it Permission to Breathe.

This journey led me to discover what it means to step out of the fog and into the freedom God always intended.

Because you, my friend, were put here for such a time as this.

When Memory Blurs but the Moment Burns Bright

A fog may hide the path behind,
Yet one sharp flame stays in the mind.
The scenes may fade, the voices dim,
But still the soul remembers Him.
In weakness, weariness, and night,
A holy spark ignites the fight.
For even when the past takes flight,
One moment burns, and births new light.

Cheri Dotterer is a Staff Writer for Freestyle Living Magazine and the founder of EstherChicks™, a movement that helps you awaken your inner warrior with Jesus, Joy, and Dopamine. As a NeuroLeadership Coach and identity strategist, she helps women disrupt overwhelm and reclaim purpose. She hosts the EstherChicks Podcast and leads transformational retreats. Connect at cheridotterer.com/contact.

Health and Wellness for the Fall

As the crisp air of autumn settles in and the days grow shorter, fall invites us to slow down, reflect, and renew our focus on what truly matters. Health and wellness in this season are not only about caring for our bodies, but also about nurturing our spirits and serving others with compassion.

Autumn is a season of transition, a time when nature reminds us of balance, release, and preparation. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, we too are called to release what no longer serves us: unhealthy habits, stress, or distractions that weigh us down. By making room for healthier rhythms rest, prayer, nourishing food, and movement we strengthen both body and spirit.

True wellness goes beyond physical health. A life of service enriches our emotional and spiritual well-being. Acts of kindness, whether big or small, create connections that strengthen community and bring meaning to our lives. Serving others in the fall such as helping neighbors rake leaves, delivering meals, or volunteering at a local shelter warms the heart as much as a cozy blanket on a chilly day.

Fall offers an abundance of seasonal foods rich in nutrients: pumpkins, squash, apples, and root vegetables that restore energy and vitality. Preparing and sharing meals with others is not only healthy for the body but also an act of service that fosters fellowship and joy.

With the busyness of life, it is easy to neglect rest. Yet, rest is essential for true wellness. In serving others, we must also remember to care for ourselves through prayer, reflection, and Sabbath moments. By finding balance between giving and receiving, we sustain our ability to serve with love and strength.

Health and wellness this fall mean embracing wholeness, body, mind, and spirit while choosing to live a life of service. When we combine healthy practices with acts of kindness, we not only nurture ourselves but also plant seeds of love in our communities.

Let this season be a reminder: as we care for ourselves, we are better equipped to serve. And as we serve, we discover the fullness of life, one of gratitude, purpose, and peace. When we are grounded in our own health, service becomes an overflow rather than a burden. Wellness fuels service, and service enriches wellness, a beautiful cycle of giving and receiving.

We cannot care for anyone else until we first care for ourselves. Prioritizing rest, balanced nutrition, movement, and mental clarity ensures we have the energy and peace of mind to give to others. Self-care is not selfish; it is the foundation that allows us to serve with strength and joy.

Carmella Banks is a Staff Writer for Freestyle Living Magazine and is a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils.

You can connect with Carmella through her linked-in profile at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmella-banks-1781a370/

Or on her Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/822573918497806

Fabulously Fall

Close your eyes and you can almost hear it: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the whisper of cool wind snaking through the trees, the simmer of cider on the stove,… Fall isn’t just a season—it’s a whole mood. A vibe unto its own. And when the days grow shorter and the air a little crisper, home is where we turn to for comfort, color, and communion. 

I love Fall decor trends both in fashion and furniture. Heavier fabrics, a new color palette, and the opportunity to start adding layers to both. It all just makes me want to curl up with a good book (or a bad reality show - no judgment). Then add in some candles (earthy scents like cedar, sandalwood, or even smoky vanilla) and suddenly your living room feels like a sanctuary. For me, Fall puts the “bliss” in fabulous,… Fabliss? Fallbliss? I’ll keep workshopping that one,… 

But decor isn’t reserved just for the indoors. As a Realtor, I know curb appeal matters year-round, and autumn is your chance to make a statement before winter sends us all into hibernation.

Trade out tired summer planters for some mums and marigolds. A wreath woven from dried grasses or mini pumpkins tells visitors: yes, I’ve been Pinteresting. And don’t underestimate the humble rake—tidy yards not only look better, but also keep gutters clear and foundations safer as the season’s rains roll in.

Consider it fall fashion for your home’s exterior.

Wellness, too, finds its place in autumn decor. A cozy space can do wonders for mental health as daylight wanes. Carve out a nook for morning tea or evening journaling. Layer your lighting—floor lamps and table lamps soften the sharpness of overheads and create a cocoon-like calm.

Even something as simple as rearranging furniture to draw people farther inward fosters connection. Fall decor isn’t just pretty; it’s supportive care for the soul.

For those craving a bit of DIY, skip the plastic pumpkins and go old school. Carve one, paint one, or fill one with dried flowers. A bowl of apples on the counter doubles as a centerpiece and a snack. For some extra credit simmer a pot of mulled wine or spiced cider—your guests (and your tastebuds) will thank you.

Ultimately, autumn is about leaning into life’s contrasts: the chill outside vs. the warmth inside, the fading light vs. the glow we create, the mess of fallen leaves vs. the beauty they bring. Home isn’t just where we live—it’s where we season.

So, this Fall, embrace the cozy, celebrate the crafty, and remember whether it’s curb appeal, candlelight, or casserole night: it all comes back to making your house a home. And being happiest at home.

Fabulously Fall

Crunch of leaves beneath my feet,
Crisp cool air, a welcome treat.

Candles glow with cedar’s flame,
Autumn whispers call my name.

Mums and marigolds at the door,
Golden wreaths say, “fall once more.”

Layers cozy, colors deep,
Moments gather, hearts to keep.

Tea at dawn, soft lights at night,
Pumpkins carved in flickering light.

Apples shine in bowls so bright,
Cider simmers, pure delight.

Home is where the season calls,
Fabulously Fall—best of all.

Kyle Brandon is a Staff Writer for the Freestyle Living Magazine. He is a Realtor in Central Ohio and can be reached through his website:

Kyle Brandon Realtor® (exprealty.com)

[email protected]

The Pain of Waking Up

Awake is a mindset.
AND is a choice.
Intentional is the commitment.

This is the next step in sharing my year-long journey of learning what it means to truly be Awake AND Intentional. I began the year excited to define this concept, using myself as a guinea pig and vulnerably documenting the process. In the first installment, I committed to this path. In the second, I explored how our choices — and our avoidance of them — shape where we are and where we're headed. Midway through the year, I paused to reflect on what I’d learned, noticing both encouraging patterns and difficult truths.

Originally, I expected this article to wrap up the journey. But that would be disrespectful — not just to the process, but to what it has taught me.

At this point, I feel compelled to talk about something I never anticipated:
The cost of waking up.

The Circus We Live In

Every day, we live in our own little circuses — and we are the juggling act.

We juggle Work, Family, Daily Demands, Personal Expectations, Others’ Expectations, Fear, Goals, Dreams, Wants, Needs, and Desires — just to name a few.

Here’s the problem:
Most of us are blind to how many things we’re trying to keep in the air.
And the truth? We can’t juggle everything. Not all at once. Not all the time.

So, things fall.
And too often, it’s the things we actually care about that end up on the floor.

The Blindfolded Juggler

When we focus on juggling all the things we think we *“should”* — we lose sight of what we *need*.
And often, we drop the very things that nourish us, that challenge us, that could help us grow.

The pain of waking up is taking off the blindfold and seeing what we’ve let fall.

Juggler without blindfold

The Uncovered Truth

Here’s the hard question:
How have you “should” on yourself today?

Sometimes, by doing all the things we think we *should* be doing, we avoid what we truly need to do.
That’s one of my biggest lessons this year.

Waking up means looking around — really looking — and seeing the cost of what we’ve dropped.

And now?
I realize I need to keep my eyes open.
To consciously choose what I juggle.
To stop performing and start becoming.

Awareness Cuts Both Ways

The same recognition that hurts you… heals you.
The awareness that brings pain… is also the key to freedom.

Awareness stings — because it reveals everything you’ve missed.

But it saves you too — because once you see clearly, you can finally stop pretending and start becoming.

L. Mason VanDyke is a Staff Writer for Freestyle Living Magazine. He is not just an author but a captivating storyteller, weaving narratives that transport readers into rich, immersive worlds of imagination. You can connect with L Mason VanDyke through his email at: [email protected]