2024 - Leaning into the LIGHT of Lou ...Yep's that's me....and Leaning into the LIGHT OF YOU ;)

2+2 = 4 ....Lou's New Year is just around the corner......Let's start together!

** Apologies in advance for very much being myself in this letter haha ;) That apology is specifically in relation to any spelling mistakes, sentences that were too long or grammar error of any type haha ;) I was very tired writing this - in a physical way but my creative spirit was alive and I just wanted to share with you and I just wanted to write so here lies the words of a tired soul but a soul very much enlightened in the dark xx Love and loads of it to you for always being here…. through all parts of my life Substack family xx Please do come join our Facebook Family here - The lights are always on and the kettle is always boiling: www.facebook.com/livingandlaughingwithlou

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My life in January has been focused on reflection, intense inner work & a whole lot of deep breathes in & deep breathes out…Self care the practice that has brought me through many dark days while forcing myself to awaken allowing my spirit to enter an enlightenment phase that was well worked towards….
This month I have been very grateful for the sky, for you & for all those I love dearly who stay close at all times whether far or near….also for all the hugs, voice notes of love, packages in the post galore and a lot of cups of tea with my inner circle of love x

Here’s to my new year beginning on February 1st with love, light, hope & healing in my heart & continued bravery, strength & resilience to face whatever life throws at me….I send all this and more to you, as the door of new possibilities, new people to hug, old friends to love deeper…. and lots more soft, gentle healing to help you and me transform the hurt in our hearts and worry in our minds ….which ultimately will bring forward more peace, joy, love, contentment and good memories for us to treasure forever….

Pluto has lifted from my starsign of Libra on January 20th and I feel the weight it has borne on my life to be a cross I look forward to releasing….This pluto shift has been pushing down on my starsign since 2008 and I have felt ever inch of it….This same pluto fella has been heavy on the starsign of my mam too so I look forward to seeing lots of light shining towards her going forward too…..Like anything heavy, the instant release of it is never felt in the moment, I am sure it will take a few weeks even months to lift completely. At this moment I can’t say I see a huge difference in my life, if anything Pluto has been lodged with its foot on my head for so long, its indentation is very much taking its time to unlodge but I can promise you, in my gut…inside myself I feel that lift is coming….I just need to be patient….and most importantly believe it’s on the way…Along with the serenity prayer given to me by a priest the day after my dad died, this very good friend also introduced me to a wonderful array of philosophers at that time, and now are the writers and thinkers who I am thoroughly enjoying keeping close to me these days once again….Lots more to share in this department further down the line :)

In the next few days I will be making my vision board for the year ahead, thinking, reflecting and leaning in heavily to what and who I am and the hopes, dreams and life I wish to create in the year ahead and in my life ahead. Old pluto might be leaving, but a brand new year for Lou is beginning…..I am very grateful for this February 1st practice that I put into place ten years ago and genuinely could not encourage it more…..

I also will be letting go of parts of Lou that I need to let go of and I look forward to all the new parts that I am going to find, embrace and take hold of. I have taken a very intense look at my life this January and I’ve realised a lot not only about myself but a lot about the world, the way people treat each other, the people who check in on you when you go quiet and equally the people who don’t and really it’s probably been one of the most revealing months of my life. A new Lou is being shaped from this time and I know I’m going to love her a lot and truly I am going to be forever grateful for deeply questioning all parts of me, particularly in a more shifting way this time round….Yes every January I do this, but this year was different. Can I tell you how or why? Not really….maybe it’s because I’m 40 now haha ;) Maybe it’s all the shit i’ve gone through…..and let’s be honest…who doesn’t go through crap….but you know when you’ve been extra tested….In time I will share more here but one thing I can promise, is that nobody escapes the crosses landing on their shoulders. We are very much in this messy world together. We are very must all tangled in spiderwebs more often than not..most often not created by us but endured by us….But no matter what, we must keep going, we must keep our faith that I truly do believe everything will be alright in the end…..Day by day. Hour by hour. We step forward together…We live together. We learn together. We laugh together. And most importantly we need to always LOVE together…... I also absolutely believe that the darkness, the rain, the storms….they really do teach us a lot about ourselves and equally about those in who we place our energy…..Most importantly don’t forget, beyond the rain is where…..the…..rainbow lives right? ;)

Of course during this time, the sky, the stars, the sunrising and my beautiful moon have been their ever dedicated selves for me and have constantly kept me company showing me that you can indeed have a consistent love that shines from above even when nobody else is around. I have kept looking up and even though things have been tough, I have remained faithful and loyal to my life motto to do exactly that - Lou has indeed kept looking up. My favourite moments with the sky are in the quiet moments when nobody else is around, mostly at night - when it’s just me, the stars and the moon. They have kept me looking up and I'll never take for granted the gift of sight and the gift of living where I live. The access and experience of the sky here in the middle of the Emerald Isle is a blessing I will never not be forever grateful for!

Home x

I am learning a lot about myself at this time…..I am the heart that never stops loving, I am the mind that keep searching and I am the spirit that even when pushed, shoved and stood on by darkness, I never lose faith. I must keep being the unconditional loving energy and heart full of kindness that I was born to be. No shying away from the innate goodness that is inside me, given to me by my beautiful parents and the gift of my higher power simply because it doesn’t fit in the round holes and square pegs that this modern world wants me to fit into. Nah Lou LOVE is the good stuff, I don’t want round holes nor square pegs dedicating the shape of my heart…..No instead I want to give it all with my all and have no limitations of the intensity in which I love….I believe this world has never needed unconditional love more so I will continue trying my best and leading with my heart…..I’m a bit like a care bear stare ( I love a good care bear I do - who doesn’t right? ) & I will not shy behind that belly full of love….because I truly believe we have never needed it more….It shouldn’t be boxed off. It shouldn’t have boundaries around it…Boundaries are for darkness not light….. Instead LOVE needs to be free and giving….UNCONDITIONAL is the best way for it to travel…. Finding my LOVE tribe - the only reason to subscribe! x

It’s 22.22 as I write this in the year of 2024 - both numerological adding up to the number 8 which in numerology, number 8 represents victory, prosperity and overcoming all obstacles and my god would I be happy with all that going forward.

Leaning into the light and away from the dark is one of my themes of Lou’s Life in 2024….I’ve quite a few little nuggets to help you reframe your year ahead, stay close my substack family, we’re going to be on one serious ride going forward. Rainbows, waterfalls and a whole lotta love is coming your way — A Lou care bear stare is making its way through….….

I’ll be focusing my year around lots of themes and lots of mindset shifts and lots of fun……. and if you might be tempted to join me, I’d love that. I’d really love that…February 1st is Thursday so that is New Years Day for Lou ……And if you might like to join me in springing forward together, that would make me smile from ear to ear. The snowdrops are out in the garden, I must take a photo and send you it here. The skies of January are lifting too and my favourite month is about to begin - February. St. Brigid’s day is Thursday also so it’s me and Brigid against the world. Do let me know in the comment if you might join our team? We’d love to have you xx

Hope this little note helped you rise your head and in turn might have helped you rise your heart too.

Keep going. You’re doing great.

Keep looking up! You’re a star to so many.

Love and loads of it,

From your pal…. in your phone, in your emails, in your computer and most importantly in your heart, I’m here x

Lou over and out x

One of my favourite songs to keep you smiling - ‘Somewhere only we know.’