(Inspired by the children's book Self-Confident Sandy by Sally Huss and Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino)

Have you ever noticed how some children seem to walk into a room with their heads high, eyes bright, and smiles shining? They greet the world with a sense of “I can do this!” That spark is called self-confidence, and it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.

In my children’s book Self-Confident Sandy, Sandy repeats her cheerful mantra:
“Sandy, Sandy, Self-Confident Sandy… Always keeps her mantra handy!”

This playful rhyme holds a powerful truth: confidence is built little by little, word by word, and action by action. As parents, we have the tools to help our children believe in themselves. Here are a few tips for raising a self-confident child.

1. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Achievement
Children need to know that trying matters just as much as succeeding. When your child attempts something new, cheer their bravery. Say things like:

• “I’m proud of you for trying.”
• “That was a great effort—you didn’t give up!”
• "Every try is a good try."

This builds resilience, and resilience is the backbone of confidence.

2. Model Self-Confidence Yourself
Children are like little mirrors. If they see you handling challenges with a positive attitude, they’ll learn to do the same. Show them how you talk kindly to yourself, even when you make mistakes. Say:

• “Oops, I made a mistake, but that’s okay—I’ll try again.”
• “I believe I can figure this out.”

Sandy’s mantra works for grown-ups, too!

3. Encourage Independence
Confidence blossoms when children can do things on their own. Let them help with cooking, dressing, or solving small problems. Even if it takes longer or isn’t perfect, the pride they feel is worth it.

4. Use Positive Mantras
A mantra is a simple phrase a child can repeat to feel strong. Sandy has hers, and your child can have one too! Help your child come up with their own mantra, such as:

• “I am brave.”
• “I can do hard things.”
• “I believe in me.”

Repeating these daily plants seeds of self-worth.

5. Provide Opportunities for Success
Give children tasks that are just right for their age—challenging enough to stretch them, but not so hard that they feel defeated. Success builds confidence, step by step.

6. Listen Deeply
Sometimes, all a child needs is to feel heard. When children know their feelings matter, they feel more secure in themselves. Sit with them, look in their eyes, and let them know: “Your voice is important.”

Self-confidence is not about being the loudest in the room; it’s about having a steady belief inside: “I can do this.”

That’s the gift Sandy reminds us of in her story. And it’s the gift you can give your child, too.

If you’d like to share this story with a child you love, you’ll find Self-Confident Sandy, and many more of my children’s books, on Amazon through my website. Simply click here to visit my Children’s Books page.

Have you ever sat across the table from someone, laughing over a cup of coffee, and thought, “Maybe this is the one?” Or maybe you’ve been on your own for a while, enjoying your freedom but secretly wondering if there’s a missing piece. If so, you’re not alone.

I remember my younger years, filled with exciting adventures, wonderful friends, and more than a few glamorous escapades. It was fun—sometimes dizzyingly so! But at some point, I began to crave something deeper, more lasting, and truly meaningful. A real connection. A love that wouldn’t fade when the lights went out.

That’s when my heart turned toward a higher kind of love, and with it, a new way of seeing life. I began exploring the spiritual side of things, understanding that we actually manifest the lives we want. That realization was a game-changer. Suddenly, love wasn’t just about chance encounters or blind dates. It was about intention, energy, and asking the universe for what I truly desired.

And so, I made a decision: I wanted a true love for a lifetime.

A Simple but Powerful Formula
Now, before you imagine something complicated—don’t worry! I didn’t design a mystical ritual or a complicated system. I created something simple, clear, and powerful.
It all boiled down to this:

1. Decide exactly what you want. Be specific. Tall or short? Adventurous or calm? Loves travel or loves gardening? The clearer you are, the easier it is for the universe to deliver.
2. Write a letter to the Sun. Yes, the Sun! It’s a beautiful way of sending your intention outward, upward, and beyond yourself. Address it as if you were writing to the universe or to God, and pour your heart into it.
3. Put the letter where the Sun can see it. On a windowsill, outside, or anywhere the sunlight can touch. This act is symbolic—and powerful.
4. Think about your life with your partner. Imagine walking hand-in-hand on the beach, cooking dinner together, or simply laughing at silly things. This visioning shapes the future.
5. Get ready. That’s right—prepare your life, your heart, and even your calendar. Love needs a space to land.
6. Be in love now. Here’s the magic part. Don’t wait until you meet your soulmate to feel love. Radiate it now. Live in the vibration of love and watch how it attracts the right person into your life.
   
7. 
   

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But I promise, it works.

The Proof Is in the Love
I know because it worked for me.

With this formula, I found the man who has been my partner, friend, and love for a lifetime. And you know what’s even more delightful? When I shared the formula with friends, they found their perfect partners too. It wasn’t long before success stories started flowing in. My husband, seeing all of this, turned to me and said, “You should write this down. People need this.”

So I did. And that became my book: How to Find Your Soulmate.

A Path for Everyone
Now here’s the lovely part: this formula isn’t just about finding “the one.” It can be about finding a friend, a companion to go to dinner with, or even a partner to play tennis or pickleball with. Whatever your heart longs for, the steps are the same.

It’s really about clarity and energy. When you are clear about what you want, and when you align your energy with love, amazing things happen. The world seems to bend and shift, sending the right people your way.

Love Starts with You
One of the most important things I learned through all of this is that love doesn’t begin with another person. It begins with you. That’s why “being in love now” is such a crucial step. When you live in that feeling, you become magnetic. People are drawn to you, opportunities appear, and before you know it, life feels richer, warmer, and more joyful.

So even if you’re still waiting for your soulmate, you can begin today by embodying love in every little thing you do—smiling at strangers, caring for yourself, filling your days with joy. That love radiates outward, and soon it comes back in the form of a person who matches your heart.

A Gentle Challenge
Here’s a little challenge for you:
Take a quiet moment this week. Sit by a sunny window, grab a pen and paper, and write your letter to the Sun. Be bold. Be clear. And be joyful as you imagine the love you’re calling into your life.

Then place that letter where the sunlight can find it, and let go. Let the universe do its magic.

But don’t forget your part: live today with love in your heart. Smile more, laugh more, and open yourself to the possibility that your soulmate could be just around the corner—or one phone call, one introduction, or one chance encounter away.

Closing Thoughts
Life has a beautiful way of surprising us when we’re ready. And sometimes, the simplest gestures—like writing a letter to the Sun—can open the biggest doors.

So if you’ve been longing for love, wondering how to find it, and hoping for something real, I encourage you to try this little formula. You might just discover that your soulmate has been waiting for you, too.

After all, love is the most natural thing in the world. All we have to do is invite it in.

How to Find Your Soulmate can be found on Amazon through my website.

As I woke up this morning with the remnants of a mildly disturbing dream lingering in my head, I thought that it would be nice to have a perfect bedtime story to read to myself every night before dropping off to sleep. It would set things right for the mind. Naturally a prayer or two are helpful as is the practice of counting one's blessings. But I thought that a magical bedtime story would be wonderful, one that went deep into oneself and planted the perfect thoughts.

Then I wrote it. Here it is:

There is a wonderful plan of which you are a part. It is to bring goodness into the world, into your country, into your town, into your home, into your life and heart. You, like all people, are the container of this goodness. You have the ability to spread goodness wherever you go and wherever you are.
 
The plan includes you, but is not about you. It is about goodness, and the more you realize this, the better you feel. The better you feel the more goodness you spread. When you think of yourself, think of goodness. When you think of your work, think of goodness. When you think of the people around you, think of goodness. When you think of the circumstances in your life, think of goodness.
 
This is why you are here - to be good, think good, do good and feel good.

Why Goodness and Happiness Belong Together
Goodness and happiness are not separate things. When you act with kindness, live with integrity, and look for the good in life, you naturally feel happier. And when you feel happier, you can more easily share goodness with others.
It’s a perfect circle. A beautiful one.
So tonight, as you close your eyes, remind yourself: Goodness matters for goodness’ sake.

A Gentle Reminder
This little musing is one of many I’ve written and illustrated over the years. If you enjoy thoughts like this, you might like my books:

• The Importance of Living Happy
• 365 Reminders of the Importance of Living Happy
  

Both are filled with short, uplifting pieces just like this one — reminders to keep your heart light, your outlook bright, and your life centered on goodness and joy.