Empowerment through Adversity: Navigating Loss, Healing, and Creativity in PRIDE Month

The weather so far in June in New England has been such a gift from Mother Nature. As I am typing this, it is a perfect Saturday morning with blue skies, a light breeze and sun for days. Last night I took a long walk in Plymouth, where I have lived for the last 9 months, and breathed in the healing salt energy of this ocean. I could feel the summer emerging with the sound of loud motorcycles, families in strollers, and friends with cocktails all out to connect and soak in the happy season of the south shore.       A year ago I got a new hip.   So, taking a long walk on the beach and into town is more of a joy for me now than ever before. It was not the easiest year for me as a human (can you relate?). I had multiple losses and changes, started teaching at a new school and living in a new place, all while allowing this new hip to integrate fully becoming strong and flexible again.   The physical healing actually went incredibly well and I was blessed to have such a smooth and easy surgical and recovery process. The harder journey was internal – mental, emotional, spiritual. It was a perfect storm of so many changes while also moving through the beginning of menopause that invited me into the deepest and darkest place I have experienced yet as a human. I don’t say that to get your comfort. I say that so if you too find yourself journeying through dark places internally, you know lots of other humans are on that journey as well. And you are not alone.   The good news about these cycles in our lives, is that if we really show up for them and ask for the right support, they become the gold mines of our true authentic self.   This past winter in an attempt to sleep and survive, I discovered a new meditation teacher Elizabeth Pyjov (from Insight Timer) and was invited to deepen my self-awareness and meditation practice, opening to self-compassion on a whole new level. Even after 20 years of spiritual and self-awareness work, I had to go back to basics. At the end of the day, It doesn’t really matter what triggered it (though my mind always wants to figure that out), what matters is that I applied practices, reached out for help, stayed connected, and healed on a deeper level creating more resilience, more clarity and more wisdom to share.   I look forward to sharing in the months and years ahead through new music, meditation offerings and multiple books.   Meanwhile on planet earth….It’s PRIDE month and I am watching (mostly online) as joy and celebration happens along side protests and demands for more equality and freedom for all beings. It’s a lot to take in and I find being with nature and being present where I am is what helps me feel most at peace and open to honoring the legacy of so many activists and pioneers that paved the way for me and so many others to be OUT and PROUD.   I remember when I went to both the March on Washington PRIDE in 1993 and NYC PRIDE in 1995. It was a revelation for that 22-24 year old and so important to the development of my own sense of self, community and creative expression. The energy and freedom through the multi-layered manifestation of so many different humans was life-changing.  It was inspiring and empowering and opened me to parts of myself I had hidden or was afraid to share. I also found my voice playing guitar and protesting at a variety of events for women and the queer community. I am grateful for all of those experiences and honor the fact that now as many are preparing to march in Boston this morning, I am sitting alone in my apartment writing this.   Whoever you are or wherever you are, I hope you allow yourself to open to what helps you be YOU and feel safe to connect and express. If you are someone who uses their voice and body to create more freedom for others, THANK YOU. If you are someone who sits and meditates on well-being for all, THANK YOU. We need all expressions of freedom and peace and I honor all the choices folks make to bring this forward.   Happy June! Happy Pride month! Happy birthday to my hip!       Please send me a message or leave me a comment and let me know how you are , what’s happening in your world and if I can serve you.   I am in the process of upgrading my online presence on all levels and will be sharing downloadable products – both audio recordings and written material. I will also be offering one-on-one coaching and healings over zoom as well as group offerings on zoom and in person, so stay tuned!   love love love