Dear friends💜,

I hope this letter finds you well! I just returned from my journey to Ireland—what can I say? It’s an incredibly beautiful and magical place. The privilege of having the health and means to travel is not lost on me. Just five days before my trip, I ended up in the hospital with a serious skin infection—possibly from a bug bite? After lots of IV fluids, antibiotics, and four days in the hospital, I was miraculously discharged on Sunday afternoon and managed to drive to Chicago and catch my flight to Dublin on Monday evening.

I could write at least a chapter about the takeaways that came to me, but being on this trip alone—still weak and exhausted—while driving across Ireland with a stick shift (everything opposite, with tight corners and one-lane roads) challenged me to stay present, treat myself with tenderness, and reflect on what messages Ireland might be trying to give me.

First, I traveled to the west coast of the Burren, where John O'Donohue was from. His writing is so mystical and beautiful, and I wanted to see the landscape that inspired him.

On my final evening in the area, I found his grave—and inscribed on the stone were words from his blessing A Morning Offering, lines that have been deeply meaningful to me for quite some time:

— John O'Donohue

When I told my Airbnb host that I had found his grave, she said, “Oh, his brother and his family home are just four houses down the road.” Unbeknownst to me, I had stayed in the very valley where he grew up.

—To live the life that I would love—
As much as I’ve worked on treating myself with tenderness and care, self-love is still so hard for me. I asked myself: what if I looked at each life decision through the lens of self-love? Whew. The answer made it clear—I still have much work to do.

I loved visiting cathedrals and abbey ruins. I found it fascinating that these ancient stone structures, once built to house God, are now simply nests and homes for birds.

In an abbey ruin, I found myself all alone so I sat on the altar and sang a new affirmation that came to me a month ago.

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But the true highlight of my trip was the weekend retreat at Sanctuary with Lorna Byrne, where I met incredible souls from all over the world—each one seeking angelic and spiritual guidance. I learned as much from the fellow attendees as I did from Lorna herself.

The deepest truth I encountered was this: complete and full healing is available to each of us, right now, in the present moment. We don’t need to dwell on past wounds, worry about the future, or believe we must earn our worth. It isn’t true. We can embrace the love and light within us—fully and freely—right now.

I hadn’t realized how much of the past I was still carrying. But each moment offers us a choice: to love ourselves completely, to welcome joy, and to walk forward carrying the light we’ve always had inside.

Before my travels, I had the privilege to chat with Kate and Betsy on their podcast TendHer last month and the episode is out now!

In the next month, in the northern hemisphere, we will experience the longest day of light. May the intense light break through the barriers we put up and pierce our hearts and souls☀️.

Sending lots of love and light💜🔥,

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Iowa Local Opportunities!

If you are local to the Iowa City Area, this morning we are gathering at 9am for the next Voices of Healing Singing Circle! It's not to late to come, and I'd love to spend the morning with you!

And check out my adult beginning singing class "Let Your Voice Be Heard". The next session begins next Wednesday evening!

Some feedback from folks that attended my spring session:

I also have a new singing playground class, if you are interested, reply to this email or go to my website maryjaneknight.com for more info!

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Wishing you a warm and joyful summer! 💜Mj