Change is inevitable and goes without saying. Yet, it is important to acknowledge all of the change we have been through over the past several years. It has been a truly overwhelming and the whole world feels like it has PTSD. So many I talk with want to forget these past several years ever happened and yet, are afraid that we’re going to go through another world catastrophe in short order.
As important as it is that we learn from the past and prepare for the future, it is equally important that we pay attention to and enjoy the now. And that’s why I’m writing once again. I have the peace and the joy to walk with you in support, understanding and hopefully, inspiration.
This newsletter, a soon to be launched blog, as well as private sessions and a resurrected class now on Zoom starting September 17th are my way of supporting and encouraging your journey.
Some of you are new to this newsletter and others have been with me on the whole odyssey, from print to electronic, almost 30 years, so grab your favorite snack and settle in for a story. I would like to share with you a bit of my saga in hopes that it will be helpful to you.
Around five years ago, with long ignored clear signs from the Universe, I stopped teaching. I was sure it would be for only a few months. Shortly after that, Spirit suggested that I stop writing for a while. In true old warrior fashion, I fought that, as well. Occasionally, I would have a spark of creativity and write a newsletter and then go silent again, all creativity and inspiration back into hiding.
During the last two years, I have moved 4 times with 3 kitties. Last December, we finally landed in our “forever” home in New Haven CT. The house is coming together step by step. I am mostly unpacked. Many of the repairs to this 1920 beach cottage are done and it is wonderfully livable and cozy.
I have jokingly said that I have been in a five-year creative coma. Honestly, that’s what it feels like. Put more realistically, I have been on sabbatical. It was needed more than I ever wanted to admit or accept. I was tired, and my creative juices pretty dry. During this time, I have been replenishing and rebuilding very slowly. Fortunately, I was able to maintain the individual work – with some changes in schedule and other small but important modifications.
As with most of you, I have had my share of personal challenges as well. With the help of amazing healers, loving friends and understanding clients, I have made it through. Since being in Connecticut, I can add wonderful neighbors to that list.
Many of you have been asking about a newsletter and classes. I thank you for your words of encouragement and love.
What do we do now?
During this time of great change, we have all been walking our paths to the best of our abilities and with as much grace and patience as we could muster. So then, what do we do in the now with all the chaos and fear around us? With all that we have been through? With the uncertainty that is palpable and incredibly uncomfortable for so many?
We listen to our hearts. We follow the truth that has been, is and always will be inside us.
We look for the simple joys in life and let them in. We smile at Mother Nature and laugh with the antics of the squirrels. We take comfort in the love of our friends and share our love with them. We live—hopefully with some gusto and passion. And on the days that passion is hard to find, we live in peace knowing that passion will come again.
In all honesty, it has taken five years for my passion to return. When the exhaustion finally began to subside, in true Gemini style, I didn’t wait patiently. I kicked and screamed and cried and pouted. And then I got quiet and listened to my heart.
The more I spent time in my heart space, the more I healed. I slowly began to regain my sense of humor and my life force. In this serene place I had time to review and reflect without judgement or the clanging and banging of the outside world. I began to understand the patterns and karma I had been living. And then, slowly, I began to choose to let go of those patterns and clear the karma.
I owned and took responsibility for my emotions and the resulting behaviors. I thanked them for the purposes they had served and released them once and for all. And then, I began to come out of my creative coma. I am still in process and happy to report that hindsight is 20/20. Remembering the old me gives me a good belly laugh from time to time.
What I also learned during the last five years is that I could have avoided this sabbatical if I have listened to my heart more often through the years. I could have asked and heeded what my body and heart needed and wanted. I could have played more and laughed more and enjoyed the simple things more. And, in that, I could have avoided two heart attacks.
My encouragement to you is to take an occasional Sunday afternoon and/or many early mornings to be quiet and ask your heart what it needs. Listen to it with love and without judgment. Heed its requests and desires. Let go of the pain and obligations that do not serve you. And, if you need help, ask for it.
Life is a journey and we are constantly ch, ch, ch, ch, changing. The way we change is what’s important. Our grace comes from staying connected to our hearts and truths. When we’re in relationship with our deeper selves, kindness comes without effort. Joy can come even in the face of traumatic events. Peace is ours no matter the state of the outside world.
And as we live in greater self love, there is healing. There is balance and there is magic.