A mid-year return to center
About three days ago, we passed through the Summer Solstice—the longest day of the year and a natural pause point in time. For many, it brought a moment of reflection… a chance to check in with ourselves, to breathe, and to remember the light.
But you don’t need a Solstice to begin again.
Starting again can happen at any moment—on a calendar or in a quiet corner of your heart. Sometimes, it’s sparked by a season. Sometimes, it’s sparked by a whisper.
This particular return, though, feels less like starting over and more like starting again, refreshed—with greater awareness, deeper wisdom, and a little more grace for the journey.
What does it mean to “start again”?
To start again is to return—not as who you were, but as who you are now.
It means acknowledging the path you’ve walked while still being willing to take a step forward. It’s a gentle restart. A sacred re-engagement. A conscious decision to move again, with intention.
Start Again (verb)
To reengage with life, purpose, or practice after a pause; to begin with renewed clarity,
often informed by experience.
Why this mid-year moment matters
The middle of the year is a beautiful time to pause and reset.
Not because everything must change—
but because you get to notice what already has.
It’s a moment to:
- Acknowledge how far you’ve come
- Celebrate what you’ve made it through
- Gently course-correct before drift turns into distance
It’s a moment to say:
I see where I am.
I see what matters.
And I’m choosing, again, to walk in that direction.
He Restores My Soul
There’s a paraphrase of Psalm 23 that comes to mind:
He restores my soul and leads me back to the right path.”
That’s what starting again really is—it’s soul-restoration. It’s not about shame or hustle. It’s about being led back—by grace, by God, by the quiet knowing in your spirit.
You don’t need to earn this return.
You only need to answer it.
An Invitation to Begin Again
If you’re feeling the stir—however small—consider this your invitation.
- Return to what grounds you
- Pick back up what you love
- Re-engage with your joy
- Allow yourself to restart, not as a punishment, but as a promise
You’re not starting from scratch.
You’re starting from strength.
A Gentle Reflection:
What is something I want to return to, now that I’m seeing it with clearer eyes?
Wherever this moment finds you—on fire with motivation or just beginning to stir—I hope you feel the freedom to start again.
Not because you have to.
But because you can.
Welcome back.
—Laura