WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN’T AFRAID?
A Question for the Full Moon… and Salted Caramel Bliss Balls
The full moon has a way of gently slowing me down in the most welcome way. When it rises full and luminous in the evening sky the world seems to soften and shift. It’s magical, really. The sky feels wide and spacious and even the most familiar places take on a quiet beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed. Even when it’s cold outside, I often find myself lingering outside a little longer, breathing more deeply, and allowing the moment to unfold without rushing it.
Across cultures and generations, the full moon has been seen as a time for reflection and illumination. Whether we think about this in scientific terms or embrace the symbolism, many of us recognize the feeling it evokes. There are moments when the moon’s gentle light seems to invite us inward to notice what we have been carrying, to recognize what may be coming into focus, and to see our lives with a little more clarity and compassion.
This particular full moon arrives during Women’s History Month, which makes the moment feel even more meaningful. Throughout this month we have been remembering the courage and insight of women whose words and actions continue to guide us. Their voices remind us that living with purpose often begins with a single, honest question.
Fear can be surprisingly layered. Sometimes it arrives in obvious ways - with hesitation, doubt, or a quiet voice that urges us to stay where things feel familiar. Other times it is more subtle, woven into our routines, our responsibilities, and the many roles we hold in our lives. Feeling courageous doesn’t always mean the absence of fear; often it simply means choosing to keep our hearts when we’re feeling fearful. When we are able to loosen our grip on fear even a little, we may discover that the answer we have been seeking is already there in front of us: accessible, radiant, and full of possibility.
Lately I have been carrying a simple but powerful question with me: What would I do if I wasn’t afraid? For some people the answer may appear quickly, clearly and tangibly. For me, it’s the kind of question that invites a kind of returning, again and again. For you, the question may open a space for reflection. It may encourage you to look at your life from a different perspective, to pause long enough to affirm what is quietly stirring in your heart, or practice the kind of courage that allows you to listen closely to the wisdom within.
The Courage That Grows Quietly
One of the things I appreciate most about reflecting on women’s history is the reminder that courage does not always arrive with fanfare. Very often it grows slowly and quietly through the choices we make every day.The poet and activist Audre Lorde expressed this beautifully when she wrote:
“When I dare to be powerful to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
Those words resonate with me because they acknowledge something deeply human. Fear is not something we eliminate entirely from our lives. Instead, it gradually loses its influence when we begin aligning our actions with what we believe is true and meaningful.
Civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer captured a similar spirit when she said: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
Her words remind us that courage often grows out of a deep commitment to something larger than ourselves, our communities, our families, and the future we hope to create.
Environmental leader Wangari Maathai offered yet another perspective when she reflected on the power of small actions: “It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference.”
Taken together, their voices remind us that meaningful change rarely begins with dramatic gestures. Just small, thoughtful steps that accumulate over time.
Listening to the Wisdom of the Body
The question of courage is closely connected to the health of the body and nervous system.
In many of our past blogs, I’ve highlighted what we all know and feel quite often these days: we live in a culture that often celebrates constant activity, productivity, and responsiveness. Yet our bodies are designed to function in rhythms of effort and restoration. When we move too far away from those rhythms, fatigue and stress tend to follow.
One of the most compassionate things we can do for ourselves is to listen when our bodies ask for care.
Sometimes the courageous step is not doing more, but doing something differently. It might mean protecting time for rest, nourishing ourselves with supportive foods, or stepping outside for a walk in nature when the mind feels overwhelmed.
Spending time outdoors, even for short periods, has been shown to support stress reduction and nervous system regulation. During my guided nature walks, I sense that many people intuitively feel this when they step into a forested place, when they are walking near water, or simply sitting quietly under a tree.
The full moon offers a gentle opportunity to reconnect with these rhythms. If the evening sky is visible where you are, you might spend a few moments outside this week. Allow yourself to breathe slowly and look upward. Let the brightness of the moon remind you that illumination often arrives gradually. Then ask yourself, without pressure or urgency:
What would I do if I weren’t afraid?
You might be surprised by the answer or answers that begin to emerge.
Preparing for the Turning of the Season
The timing of this full moon is especially meaningful because we are approaching the vernal equinox.
In the natural world, this transition happens gradually. The earliest signs of spring often appear quietly, buds forming on branches, birds returning, longer stretches of daylight appearing at the edges of our days.
Nature does not rush its transformations. Instead, it prepares patiently for what is about to emerge. We can take inspiration from that rhythm.
This might be a beautiful moment to begin preparing for spring in small ways. You might open windows to welcome fresh air into your home, begin walking outdoors more regularly, or bring fresh herbs or plants into your kitchen.
Just as importantly, this can be a time to consider what you would like to cultivate in your own life during the months ahead.
Gardeners know that seeds must be planted before anything becomes visible above the soil. The same principle applies to our wellbeing. The habits we begin nurturing now - rest, nourishment, creativity, reflection - can become the foundations of greater vitality later in the season.
A Closing Ritual for the Vernal Equinox
Welcoming Balance and New Beginnings
As we approach the vernal equinox, we arrive at one of the most beautiful moments in the natural calendar. The equinox marks the point when day and night are nearly equal in length, reminding us that life unfolds through rhythms of balance, light and dark, rest and activity, reflection and action.
The equinox has been honored as a time of renewal. It signals that the quiet inward season of winter is gradually giving way to the outward energy of spring. Seeds begin to stir beneath the soil, branches prepare to leaf, and the landscape slowly turns toward growth.
You may wish to mark this transition with a simple ritual that invites reflection and intention.
Begin by finding a quiet place where you can sit comfortably.
Place one hand gently over your heart and take several slow, steady breaths.
Ask yourself: What would I do if I weren’t afraid?
Allow whatever answer arises to be received with kindness and curiosity. There is no need to evaluate or analyze it immediately.
Then take out a journal or a small piece of paper and write down one intention for the season ahead. It does not need to be elaborate. Often the most meaningful intentions are simple and sincere.
You might write something like:
I intend to care for my body with greater tenderness.
I intend to listen more closely to my inner wisdom.
I intend to begin the project that has been waiting patiently for my attention.
After writing your intention, take a moment to imagine planting it like a seed. Just as seeds require time, light, and nourishment to grow, the intentions we set for our lives also unfold gradually.
As you move into the days of spring, trust that the seeds you are planting in your life now will grow in their own time. The equinox reminds us that balance is always possible, and the returning light invites us forward with renewed energy and hope.
RECIPE FOR THE EQUINOX – SALTED CARAMEL BLISS BALLS
Many people who have joined my guided forest therapy walks know that the experience doesn’t quite end when we leave the forest. There is often a moment afterward when someone asks about the little snack I bring along—these simple “bliss balls” made with nuts, dates, and coconut. They are naturally sweet, plant-based, and nourishing, the kind of treat that feels both grounding and joyful. I like to think of them as a small way of “following your bliss,” offering a little pocket of energy and comfort that settles gently in the body—almost like a bit of bliss in your tummy.
Since so many of my forest bathing companions have asked for the recipe, I’m happy to share it here so you can make them at home. Super easy!
Salted Caramel Bliss Balls
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup pitted Medjool dates
1 cup almonds
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
¼ tsp Himalayan salt
Marguerite’s tip: I add a little coconut oil to ease the blending process and sometimes substitute ½ of the almonds with Macadamia nuts. I use a food processor, actually. It’s much easier than a blender.
DIRECTIONS:
Soak the almonds in boiled water for 10-15 minutes, and then blend with the dates, coconut and salt
Roll into balls and coat with more shredded coconut
Put in the fridge for an hour or freezer for 15 minutes and serve!
Unless you have a high-powered, high-speed blender, you will want to soak the almonds in filtered water overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
Marguerite’s tip #2: It’s okay to freeze the bliss balls overnight as well, then set them on the counter for an hour to unthaw a bit before enjoying. Add your favorite nuts or even cacao powder. And as Karyn Calabrese always says, always “soak your nuts” a bit.
With warmth and gratitude,
Marguerite