Santini Serenity

Many people notice red cardinals after losing someone close.  These bright birds often appear when we are grieving or feeling alone. They seem to pop up unexpectedly, in moments when we need comfort most. For centuries, cultures and spiritual traditions have believed animals, including cardinals, can carry messages from the other side. But are cardinals truly signs from loved ones in heaven? Let’s explore what the symbols mean and how they might connect to your personal experience. Cultural Significance of Cardinals Across different cultures, cardinals are seen as powerful symbols. In Christianity, they represent the blood of Christ and spiritual vitality. Many believe seeing a cardinal is a sign of divine presence or guidance. Native American traditions see them as messengers between worlds, carrying messages from spirits. Some think they symbolize hope, renewal, and love that never dies. Cardinals as Messengers from the Afterlife Many believe animals serve as spiritual messen...

This is not the first time that I've written about rest.  The topic resurfaced because I'm currently reading the book " Sacred Rest ." I am approaching the halfway point in the book and I'm in the chapter on creative rest. The timing is ironic as I started this blog as a creative outlet but I found myself this week needing a rest from creating. My body is tired and sore from my powerlifting meet over the weekend.  I took a couple of days where I simply walked and I got a massage.  Coach Jonathan recommended I follow the Steadfast Strength program for my "off-season" before I begin training for my next meet in August.  In the first session, I think I found muscles I never worked before!  In Crossfit, we did squatting and I focused on depth because lack of depth is what caused me to receive red flags for two of my back squats in competition.  I felt like my quads were going to implode after class. I have strength class tonight and then a a rest day. I retu...

Last week, I competed in my first every women's powerlifting meet - Xpand Your Limits 2025 Squat, Bench, Deadlift   with other women from my gym Steadfast .  Words cannot express my gratitude for the support from the Steadfast family - coaches with their guidance before & during the meet, members who came to the event to cheer us on, and members who couldn't attend the meet but offered encouragement and well wishes.  When I joined Steadfast almost four years ago after my son graduated high school; the same son who just graduated college a few weeks back, my goal was to do a full Murph because my friend Whitney did it.  She inspired me plus I love that the workout honors a fallen military hero, Michael Murphy.  I still plan to do Murph this year but it's going to be really scaled because powerlifting training took priority over Crossfit and Murph training during these past few months.   “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her a...

This topic was inspired by the devotional I'm reading The Next Step by Sadie Robertson-Huff.  The past couple of days have been about the Song of Songs.  According to The Bible Project "Song of Songs is a well-known but little-understood book of the Bible made up of eight chapters of ancient Israelite love poetry." Maintaining strong relationships is essential for happiness and success in life. Whether with family, friends, or coworkers, nurturing bonds makes life richer. When we invest time and effort into our relationships, we can build trust, feel more connected, and experience more joy. In today’s world, creating genuine ties matters more than ever, especially as technology makes it easy to connect but hard to truly stay close. The Foundations of Nurturing Relationships Understanding Relationship Dynamics Healthy connections are built on understanding how relationships work. Good relationships thrive on mutual trust, respect, and honesty. When both people feel saf...

I have a coworker who could be classified as a bully.  He's someone who leaves people walking on eggshells.  The energy in our cube pod is so different when he's there versus when he's not there.  I probably don't have to tell you that there's more jovial interaction and collaboration when he's not present. I did talk with our department director about him during the pandemic when he called me up and screamed at me.  He's part of my work team so I cannot avoid him entirely.  Office bullying is a problem many workers face, and it can make your daily job stressful and draining. Recognizing the signs early and knowing how to react can protect your mental health and help fix the problem. When bullying happens, it isn't just about feeling unhappy — it can hurt your confidence and even damage your career. More companies are seeing how important it is to deal with workplace harassment head-on. This article aims to give you the tools and confidence to stand up ...

While scrolling Instagram, I kept seeing ads saying that the Calmi Ring would help you lose 30 pounds.  As someone who could benefit from some weight loss but is also preparing for a powerlifting meet, I eventually decided to order a Calmi Ring.  I chose Onyx; something very different than most rings that I own.  I was also able to get the $80 ring on sale for $49.90. Being used to Amazon Prime one to two day delivery, it felt like delivery of my ring took forever.  I finally received my Calmi ring a few days ago and began wearing it.  I decided to lookup success stories after receiving my Calmi Ring.  Spoiler alert - I should have done this before buying the ring and saved myself $50.  The ring looks like nice although I'm not sure how long that will last after reading a series of bad reviews from the Phoenix Area Better Business Bureau .  You linked to the reviews and encourage you to read the accounts first hand. I also found an interesting ar...

Graduating from college isn’t just about holding a diploma in your hand—it’s about holding a piece of your story. This milestone is the proof of late-night study sessions, countless cups of coffee, friendships forged in the trenches of group projects, and the persistence that carried you through. It’s a chapter of growth, discovery, and preparation for the world beyond the classroom. Graduation shapes life in more ways than one—emotionally, socially, financially. It’s the moment you realize the world is wide open, and you’re standing at the starting line with new possibilities ahead. Whether you’re in the middle of celebrating or staring into the exciting unknown of “what’s next,” this season is about much more than the ceremony—it’s about embracing the journey. "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." – 1 Timothy 4:12 The Academic Journey: A Story of Persistence Th...