Nicole Bensen

the Tea Time blog

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Do you ever feel this way in life? We might chase the shiny, the different, the “latest thing our favorite influencer recommended,” only to realize it’s not what WE want at all.

Did you hear that Cambridge Dictionary just named “Manifest” their Word of the Year?

Why? Because millions of people are excited, or at least curious about, the powerful idea of turning dreams into reality.

But here’s the thing: manifesting isn’t magic—it’s backed by science.

I had the pleasure of joining CEO, Mark Williams on his podcast, Mileage May Vary, where we explored the idea of “failing forward”—how embracing mistakes can lead to massive growth. We also dove into what managers can do to help their teams thrive, especially when resources are tight. Although we talked specifically about these ideas in the workplace, the same principles apply outside the office, even when we’re just looking to motivate ourselves.

This trip feels like a dream—and not just because of the soft sand beaches and clear, aqua water. It’s a beautiful reminder that life can surprise you with better-than-imagined outcomes when you’re open to possibilities.

Have you ever thought about why we say things like “cross your fingers” or “touch/knock on wood”? Or why people wear the same outfit every time they fly, or don’t wash a jersey 🤢 when their team’s in a winning streak?

How are you feeling today? When I look at this feelings wheel, I’ve gone through the gamut this past week: disappointed, confused, inquisitive, hopeful, worried, resentful, appalled, playful, creative, eager, loving. Some of those feelings have been stronger than others, but this is life, right? There will be times to stand up and fight, and there […]

We all want to be happy. We all want our families to be healthy and well. We all agree that children’s lives should be protected. We all deserve to feel safe walking around our cities at night. We’d all like lower taxes. We all want freedom of speech and to make choices about our own lives.

Discover how thoughts, visualization, and emotions shape your reality through neuroplasticity and the science behind manifestation.

I went to a 4-hour “Urban Sketching” class with Steven Reddy on Saturday, and it was challenging, but not because of the most obvious reason, that I’m not an artist. It was difficult because Steven’s style of drawing is that there are no mistakes; you don’t sketch a draft in pencil first, then refine before […]

Fall reflections for clarity, motivation, and dreams. Celebrate your wins and always dream big and believe in yourself.