The power of kindness is the subject of my new favorite show called The Kindness Diaries where an English white man travels from Alaska to Argentina powered only by the kindness of strangers. The encounters he has are what this documentary shares with the rest of us. He has a car with a tank full of gas to start but no food or water. He speaks to anyone who will listen to him and let’s them know of his journey and his mission to have a place to sleep for the night. I see him follow his intuition. I am inspired by the shear number of people who are willing to help a stranger and then to learn how they actively are helping in their own communities. (In case you want to check it out, see more info here.) I love that this is the topic I am watching on TV!!

I have to admit, I am brought to tears to see a grown man demonstrating authentic vulnerability, openness to receiving support and cultivating kindness as a mission in life! I wonder what it would be like if the person traveling was a female instead of a male. I ask myself how this activism of vulnerability in the quest of connecting with kind strangers would be for me? How might a woman be perceived? How many women already operate from this place and are undetected?

I’d love to share ideas of what kindness as activism might look like for us? What experiences have you had in being of service to your community and what is your motivation? What kind of kindness is needed in our community? What do you think might add value that perhaps is just an idea at this point? Let’s stir the caldron and see what we might brew up??!!

It is a time of change, movement and transition. I hope this message finds you well and connecting with your inner wisdom and wholeness.

Change brings challenge, even when it also brings perhaps the answers to deeply held prayers the result of which are not obvious yet. Perhaps we are challenged with the awareness of the struggles others are facing. In either case, we are supported by the inner knowing that all things unfold in perfect timing and move ever closer to the light, “Everything happens for a reason” and “We are never alone”.

I was sharing with a friend recently, that looking back over my life; there have been countless experiences where I felt faced with a task I was not prepared for. A situation that was beyond my control to avoid and was paramount. I see in retrospect, that the most important aspect of my response was to ask myself if it was something I wanted to do, was it important to me rather than something I felt obligated to do. Was the outcome worth the my time, energy and challenge. And was I committed to it, no matter what.

You’ll notice, there isn’t anything related to knowing “how” to accomplish it. In our world of abundant education, it can be and sometimes is, the thing that stops us in our tracks. “I want to do this thing, but I don’t know how.” On further examination however, there are essential actions we accomplish each day that we literally, don’t know “how” to do. Take walking for example. Sure, we know how to stand and walk, but do we know how like telling someone “how” to? Really, everything that it takes to walk? No, not really. It is learned experientially and is a very personal process that thankfully we don’t have to take a course to do!

My point being, there is a bit of mystery in life, even today with our higher education within science and technology. We can allow for the mystery to be part of the equation rather than expect ourselves to be in complete control. Relax into our Selves which includes an innate connection to a higher consciousness, God, Great Spirit or however you choose to name it. And in-so doing, allow ourselves to be more receptive to inspiration and guidance.

I am in awe of our wisdom, both innate and that wisdom that comes with experience. I feel the power of our energy and heart, and I honor us. I am so grateful to have you in this basket weaving!

I invite you to explore this, to dream Big our futures and community! Our words are powerful vibrational energy; may we use it consciously.

Well, this weekend was immensely rich, and filled with opportunities for vulnerable and courageous exchange.

There was a real theme throughout, regarding justice and equality in community. Topics like racial justice, gender equality, and white privilege were at the forefront. This conversation is coming up, more people are speaking up and speaking out. We need to be listening, really listening because it not only affects us, but the generations of young people coming, and they are finding their voices too. You no doubt have heard about Greta Thunberg’s speech at the U.N.?

How do we define people of color? How do you define white privilege? And gender equality not only encompasses the “Me Too” movement but also the LGBTQ communities.

I think it makes us stronger and more available when we are willing to explore these topics within ourselves and others we choose to. I think a lack of education or willingness to learn is part of what needs to shift, making room for growth; for all. I think we are ready to see this as a positive move, a progress if you will and clearly we will solve it together. We are all doing our best and this is a starting place.

So, as basket-weavers, lets find a way to hold a space of love for everyone to feel welcome and from that space to share our individual light magnified by our connection with each other!

Schedules are changing and it feels like time is speeding up! We are manifesting more rapidly. So one way of framing that, is that we have the opportunity to choose a more simple, more concentrated or abbreviated reality, motivated by our intentions and choices. Since there is so much coming at us, we can focus on what is most important, what is our priority and let go of the rest. We know it is physically impossible to do it all! Why not “pick our battles?”

Noticing what brings us good feeling experiences, what lights us up, and what we are clearly calling into being; these are the alignments of manifestation. This is worth our time and energy.

What are you noticing you are calling in that brings you joy? What are you up to in your small circle or greater community that causes your heart to swell? What feels really essential that you recognize your part in?

The hard work and commitment that you focused in these endeavors, are buoyed by their disclosure to those you trust, and the experience of acceptance and respect. Although our culture may include a discouragement of saying what is worthy of celebration or “bragging,” our better sense knows the benefit of celebration. In our circle, we have developed loving and respecting relationships, and find encouragement from one another to be fully who we truly are.

I used to wonder if I were alone in my values and perceptions of the world around me. Now I know I am not. I think you know what I mean.

You are reading this because we share values for health, vitality, peace, and love, for all. I long for connection, for a sense of belonging, for recognition, and so do most people. Perhaps that is why we are resonating with our women’s circle.

Life can be challenging and often is. We are all doing the best we can with the options we are aware of. So, are we aware of all the options available to us? Big question. Important one… It’s easy to see examples of what happens when someone is not aware of all their options and makes a choice that they believe is the only choice. It’s easy from the outside looking in, to see how debilitating that can be.

Where we put our focus, grows. I am choosing to focus on those who are also willing to swim sometimes against the current of mainstream, to look for the joy and beauty in daily life. I choose to spend my personal time with those who lean in when there is a tough situation that has something to teach, who cultivate their own individual connection to Source or God or whoever, and trust it implicitly. You and I, we have much in common, and together we are stronger.

Thank you for choosing consciously and your willingness to share your voice.

We are women, daughters, sisters, mothers, business owners, students, doctors, artists, musicians, visionaries, authors, wanderers, and warriors of love & light. We are leading the future generations with our creations in the physical as well as spiritual realms, with our prayers and songs about love, life, beauty and our thriving community. We, in our everyday life, are leading the way with our wisdom. May we choose consciously.

Our intentional Gathering is the multiplication of that, sharing and exchanging and sending out the ripples of harmony and gratitude back to each other and then to our greater “family.” Let’s pool together whatever is bubbling up. A celebration or a quandary, an insight or a dream, a need or an offering. Listening to the spirit that will support our leading with wisdom. It’s worth our time!

Gathering Women’s Wisdom has been a manifestation of hopes and dreams for me. It’s been a leap of faith and a willingness to learn, to screw it up and to grow. And it has been exhilarating to see what is possible when we are willing to trust and exchange openly, wholeheartedly with each other. I am so impressed and appreciative to know each of you better.

I so appreciate your true and authentic sharing! I’m feeling the pull to allow a shift at this juncture. I would like to incorporate your feedback as well as open the circle to other women who may value the opportunity to gather. I see a value in adding an element of support beyond witnessing. An element of support as peers, mentoring one another. I feel the call to invest in taking the concept of a healthy and regenerative community and putting it into practice, literally practice. “It is time we lead ourselves into the well.” (“We Shall Be Known by MaMuse)

If this resonates with you, I’m excited to hear about that. And if it doesn’t, I’d like to hear that too. All paths lead to the same place. May we all follow the path we are called to, in earnest. There is only love, all else is illusion… Thank you for your willingness to make a difference!

We are moving toward the New Moon, looking into the shadow side, beyond the surface and planting seeds for our future.

There’s a benefit to getting sick and staying home from work for days on end… You get to unplug, feel the weakness, the “not-in-control-ness” instead of “I’ll-take-care-of-it-ness”. The shadow-side or other-side becomes the dominant aspect. From that other place sometimes clarity comes more easily or at least one can see beyond the “norm.”

I had that kind of experience recently. Days of endless tea and sitting and stillness, mostly because I literally couldn’t do anything. The gifts of the present moment are endless.. I had the time and opportunity to watch Brene’ Brown on Netflix (here’s the trailer). I really resonated with her, felt her humanness and was inspired by her authenticity! Her expertise is vulnerability and shame, and she is on Netflix!

“I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” – Brene’ Brown

I am sharing this with each of you as an offer of inspiration and support. Perhaps she will be an example for all to see, how it looks and sounds or provide validation. This is the light I see in each of us; offering support, validation, and sharing wisdom in many forms.

Moving past the threshold of Spring into the increasingly productive and fast paced part of our annual cycle, things are speeding up! All of the gestating related to projects and learning new growth patterns are now up-to-bat. It’s time to put what we have learned thus far to use in ourselves and our lives.

While stabilizing your balance point in this new energy pattern I invite you, to consider the following.

How does independence from outside expectation or “norms,” protect you? Or does it? What real life situations can you reflect on to notice the feeling, look, and sound of behaving independently, meaning you are motivated by your own inner authenticity; your core? Did you have experiences that helped your clarity about boundaries or truth, perhaps contrasts? Were there things you will handle differently in the future if the opportunity presents itself? Like what?

When you are in situations with folk who do not align with your values, goals, or insights, do you find it tricky, awkward, challenging? What kinds of responses have you found helpful when you know there is a misalignment but the relationship is an essential one; like a spouse, family member, employer or coworker?

We can establish a bond of trust in our circle, where we can explore together the edges of our comfort zones and feel safe. Our differences in age and stage of life add a depth and resilience to our sharing. Our abilities to exchange with one another, can be the launching pad for healthier and more intimate connections in the expanded circles of our life.

I want to thank all of you for being willing to be present and participate openly in this way. We are all doing our best to be the love, we most value in the world.

The landscape has shifted from stormy rains and heavy winds to gentler days and nights. We have decidedly moved into another season and you can feel, smell and taste it!!

And now for Spring! New life, manifestation from those gestating seeds held by Mother Earth, nurtured from the falling water, warm sun, and waiting, waiting, waiting for the time to unfold. Ahhh… such a supportive testimony!

Time for winter clean-up, Spring cleaning and all things renewing. This time of year naturally calls us into a consciousness of reconciling, writing-off old debts or wounds, preparing our taxes, clearing things out from the prior cycle. We are less hesitant to let go of those plants that are struggling, or that project we didn’t finish in the fall. Starting fresh is what Spring energy teaches us.

“Where” is your sanctuary and how often are you “in” it? The word sanctuary is traditionally used to refer to a place of worship, church, spa, quiet place in the woods, or personal safe place. It can also be used to describe an inner state of being. In eastern disciplines like martial arts or Buddhism it is encouraged that one develop this place and access to it to support well being for self and the influence we bring others. Through meditation, yoga, gardening, writing, or just making time in our schedules to have alone time; we can create this connection, this inner “place” in and for ourselves.

How do you know when you are triggered, upset or out of balance? What helps or brings you into balance from that place? Life’s array of experiences, emotions and circumstance affords us great abundance to respond through our perceptions of what is happening. One of the most effective ways we learn as humans, is through the contrast of in-balance vs out-of-balance. When we learned to walk, we experienced our bodies + gravity+ motion, and through contrasts or trial and error, we gradually adjusted to the point that today we don’t “try” to walk anymore; we just walk. Many things we learn are like this.

To be triggered, refers to a current feeling or situation unconsciously reminding us of an old experience. (Usually an unpleasant one but not always.) If we are unaccustomed to being aware of ourselves and our inner world; we might easily miss the fact that it isn’t happening currently, but instead; reminding us or triggering an old unhealed wound. As we become more familiar with our inner landscape and patterns, we find we have more choices for response than we used to or than we knew we had. This brings us more empowerment and freedom, more personal power and confidence.

We learn and grow at our own pace. There are no measurements outside of ourselves. Individually, we are the ultimate authority about our own self.