Last Saturday night, I stood beneath a crisp Minnesota sky, eyes scanning the darkness for something truly rare: a planetary alignment that won’t happen again for another 15 years. If the horizon were perfectly clear, we could have seen seven planets in the evening sky.
Did we see all seven? Not quite. But even catching just a few, along with the crescent moon, was a breathtaking site through a magnified lens.
At Staring Lake Observatory in Eden Prairie, our astronomy guide spoke about the orbits of planets, the precise way they move through space, and the intricate patterns woven throughout our universe. As I listened, I couldn’t help but notice the deeper truth in what he was saying:
Nature loves on patterns.
From the gravitational pull keeping planets in motion to the way seasons cycle through renewal and decay, patterns are everywhere. And not just in the cosmos—in our lives, too.
Some patterns serve us. Others? Not so much.
Recognizing the Patterns We Live By
It made me think about the patterns I unconsciously follow. The habits I don’t question, the automatic ways I respond to stress, boredom, or discomfort.
Some of them are good. Some of them are comfortable. And some of them keep me disconnected and make me feel lonely.
We all have these patterns, whether we realize it or not. Some were formed in childhood. Some were survival strategies. Some just built up over time, slipping into our daily routines unnoticed, like toxic chemicals.
And here’s the thing about some of our long-held patterns: they don’t want to be changed. They will fight to survive.
That’s why Lent—or any season of intentional letting go—can be so powerful.
It asks us to pause and consider:
What am I doing on autopilot that might not be serving me?
What have I been clinging to that’s actually keeping me stuck?
What am I using to distract myself from deeper discomfort?
Lent isn’t just about giving something up—it’s about connecting with what matters most. It’s about getting closer to your Higher Guidance and hearing the whispers of your soul and heart.
The distractions we remove aren’t just things taking up space—they’re the noise that drowns out the deeper wisdom within us.
The Power of Breaking Patterns
For the next several weeks, I’m embracing a Season of Renewal, focusing on breaking patterns that keep me from being fully present and, more importantly, leaning into what truly matters.
This includes:
A modified fast, adjusting my diet in a way that helps me feel more mindful and intentional
A digital detox, stepping back from distractions that pull me away from real connection (internally and externally)
Not as an obligation. Not because I "should." But because I want to see what happens when I remove the noise.
What will I notice? What will rise to the surface? What parts of me have been buried beneath habit and distraction?
I don’t expect it to be easy. In fact, I expect there will be moments where I reach for my phone or crave something comforting. But I also know that resisting the pull of old patterns is how we reclaim our awareness.
What About You?
You don’t have to do a full fast. You don’t even have to call it Lent.
But if something in you is nudging, saying, “Maybe it’s time to shake things up,” listen to that voice.
What’s one thing you could remove from your life, even temporarily for just 40 days, to see what it reveals?
It could be:
The habit of constantly checking your phone
The extra cup of coffee you’ve been relying on for energy
The nightly Netflix binge that numbs instead of relaxes
The self-critical thoughts you allow to run on repeat
The way you say yes when you really mean no
The goal isn’t deprivation. The goal is awareness.
Patterns, like planetary orbits, will keep repeating unless something shifts.
Maybe this season is an invitation to create that shift. To make space. To step into something new.
I’d love to hear from you. What’s one pattern you’ve noticed in your own life that you’d like to release—or one you’d like to cultivate? Leave a comment below and let’s reflect together.
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