Discover Your Personal Journey

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC For a long time, I thought love was something to earn, manage, or preserve—like a fragile asset that could be lost if handled incorrectly. What I’ve learned instead is this: love is not conditional, but it is  boundaried. Love doesn’t disappear when boundaries appear. Love actually becomes clearer, safer, and more sustainable when boundaries exist. Love is not one-size-fits-all. It shows up differently depending on the space

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC I've learned from one of my favorite mentors, Lisa Nichols, that: You have nothing to protect You have nothing to prove You have nothing to hide And from that, i've come to understand that many of us were taught to treat identity like a job. Something to manage. Something to protect. Something to prove. We learn early on that who we are is tied to how well we perform—how consistent we appear, how reliable our image is, how c

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC We don’t talk enough about the gap —that strange, quiet, stretchy space between who you were and who you’re becoming . It’s not glamorous. It’s not immediately rewarding. It’s not the “arrival moment” you post online. It’s the in-between. The middle place. The valley between two mountaintops . And yet, this is where your real life is happening. The gap is where your character grows, your mindset shifts, and your identity st

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC There’s a phrase that often drifts through conversations, poetry, and quiet moments of reflection: on the other side . It carries a weight, a mystery, a promise. When you hear it, what do you feel? Hope? Curiosity? A gentle nudge to look beyond what’s right in front of you? I find myself drawn to this phrase, as if it’s a bridge between where we are and where we long to be. Let’s take a journey together to explore the layers

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC We often use “gratitude” and “appreciation” like they mean the exact same thing — but energetically, they’re doing two very different jobs. Gratitude = Comparison. Gratitude says, “I’m thankful because this is better than what it could’ve been.” It acknowledges contrast. It highlights relief. It’s the energy of “this versus that.” Gratitude is powerful — it pulls us out of scarcity thinking, grounds us, and reminds us how f

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC There’s nothing glamorous about the moment right before a leap of faith. If anything, it’s sweaty-palmed, stomach-tightening, anxiety-producing terror. We talk about faith like it’s soft and poetic, but the truth is far less romantic: Faith is a risk. Faith is a choice. Faith is a decision to step into uncertainty without visible proof. And that’s exactly why it feels scary. A leap of faith invites you to leave familiar grou

In a world that profits off your burnout, boundary-setting can look like rebellion. We’ve been fed a cultural script that paints selflessness as virtue and self-preservation as weakness or selfishness. But here’s the hard truth: you cannot serve anyone well if you’re chronically depleted, disrespected, or disconnected from yourself. It’s time to rewrite that narrative—because self-preservation is not selfish. It’s sacred. And it is one of the most profound, protective for

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC In a culture obsessed with hustle, speed, and constant output, the pause  often feels like a threat — like losing ground while everyone else races ahead. But the truth is, there is tremendous power in the pause. The pause is not a punishment; it’s a recalibration. It’s the body, mind, and spirit’s quiet way of saying, “It’s time to breathe before the next breakthrough.” The Pause as Recalibration Pausing isn’t about doing no

Life is a river, constantly flowing, sometimes calm, sometimes wild. You stand at the edge, wondering how to step into its current and let it carry you toward a better version of yourself. This journey is not about rushing or forcing change but about embracing the gentle unfolding of your own story. It’s about transformation that feels like a dance - rhythmic, natural, and deeply personal. Today, I want to walk with you through some life transformation tips that can help you

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC I saw this image (above) on a social media platform and It reminded me of a conversation I had with my Yoga Guru about "being nice." Let’s get one thing straight — being nice  and being a good person  are not the same thing. Nice is easy. Nice is polished. Nice is what you do when you don’t want to rock the boat. Goodness, on the other hand, takes courage. It’s inconvenient. It demands integrity, boundaries, and accountabili

By Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC When we talk about change—real, lasting change—it’s easy to default to the myth of willpower. Just push harder. Just want it more. Just “stay disciplined.” But here’s the truth: Willpower is a short-term burst. Systems are the long game. And if you’re relying on raw willpower to change your life, your habits, or your mindset… you’re already set up to burn out. What’s the Difference Between Systems and Willpower? Willpower Wi

Every day is a fresh page, a new chance to write your story with intention and grace. You stand at the edge of possibility, ready to step into a path that leads not just to change, but to transformation. This self-improvement guide is your gentle companion, a warm hand to hold as you embark on a journey toward becoming your fullest self. Together, we will explore practical steps, heartfelt reflections, and inspiring insights that invite you to move from surviving to truly thr

Every journey toward personal growth feels like stepping into a garden of endless possibilities. You stand at the edge, ready to explore the vibrant blooms of your inner world, the rich soil of your mind, and the gentle sunlight of your spirit. This garden is nurtured by integrative wellness approaches that invite you to embrace every part of yourself - body, mind, and soul - in harmony. Together, we will wander through this landscape, discovering how holistic wellness servic

By Solomon E. Stretch For those of you who have worked with me, I often reference this idea of: “On the other side.” It’s not just a poetic thought. It’s a promise. A reminder that this — the struggle, the stuckness, the self-doubt, the survival — is not the end of your story. Because on the other side … there’s you. A different you. A clearer you. A freer you. Let’s not sugarcoat it: the journey through  is hard. It requires presence. Honesty. Letting go of what no longer se

By Solomon E. Stretch We spend most of our lives breathing without thinking. But what if the breath — simple, constant, always available — is the key to getting out of your head and back into your body? Healing doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it just takes a pause. A breath. A return to center. Breath as a Bridge The breath is more than a biological function. It’s a bridge between your mind and your body , a tool that anchors you to the present moment. When

The 3 A’s of Yoga: Adjust, Adapt, and Accommodate Finding Ease in the Evolution of You In yoga—and in life—growth rarely happens in straight lines. It unfolds in spirals, swirls, and seasons of surrender. Some days, we move forward with strength and grace. Other days, we bend, pause, or even step back to breathe and realign. That’s the rhythm of the 3 A’s : Adjust, Adapt, and Accommodate. These teachings, rooted in the Yoga Sutras , remind us that peace isn’t about perfection