A season of change – and coming home.

The past several months have been full. I finished writing and publishing Winds of Change, the second book in the Keeper of the Clearing series. Alongside that, Larry and I made a significant life change — we returned to Baker City, Oregon, a town we have loved for years and where many of our closest friends live. The move came naturally, as part of Larry’s retirement and an honest reckoning with what we actually need in this season of life. We found our nest. It fits.

Since settling in, I have returned to my studies full time, completing a teaching credential in Mindfulness Meditation. The credential wasn’t required — my practice spans decades — but it opens doors to larger group settings and a broader reach. That felt worth pursuing.

My mindfulness journey began during a period of daily chronic pain. I enrolled in an MBSR — Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction — course simply as a way to cope. That one step changed everything. It led to a lifetime of practice that has extended well beyond the cushion into eating, walking, creative work, and the ordinary moments that make up a day.

Becoming a coach was a natural next step. I kept watching people I love struggle to stay present in their own lives, and I knew I had something to offer.

Research consistently shows that a regular mindfulness practice reduces cortisol levels, improves sleep quality, and decreases symptoms of anxiety and depression. For those living with chronic pain or illness, mindfulness has been shown to meaningfully reduce suffering — not by eliminating the pain, but by changing our relationship to it.

If you’d like to begin right now, I’ve written a simple three breath practice for you. No cushion required. No experience necessary. Just this moment, exactly as it is. You can find it on the Daily Practices page.

As this season continues to unfold, I invite you to explore what mindfulness might look like in your own life. Whether you are curious, returning, or simply needing a place to begin — I am here.

Reach me at jan@premvalleymindfulness.com

— Jan