July 22nd, 2025

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Honoring the Flow

I used to teach High School English. I say this now because it provides some insight: I like simple math. 😀

I was born in 1970.
Married in 2000. 
Yep. I’m 55, and Mike and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this September. ♥️

So, when I learned that July 2nd was not only the halfway point of this calendar year, but it was also the halfway point between the year 2000 and 2050?! 
That got me thinking!

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“This is a time for straying, for losing one’s way, 
for asking new questions. 
A sacred activism.
A slowing down that knows 
enchantment is not in short supply”

~ Bayo Akomolafe

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Hi friends!

My thoughts aren’t fully formed; I hope I can arrive at some place of value for each of us. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Because I moved, got married, started a new job, etc., all in the year 2000, it’s a marker in time that really stands out for me. 

When I think about ALL that has transpired in the past 25 years? So, SO much shift has happened . . . for me personally, for this community that I live in, for this country, for our planet. 

2050 will be my 80th birthday; I hope to be at that party. 🎉

And, if I’m fortunate enough to be there, I’m now visioning what I hope people might say about me as an octogenarian.  

I read something recently that talked about how many of us are taught to view success: college degrees, high paying jobs, hustling nonstop, fancy materialistic items . . . you get the idea. Most of us feel the pull in one, or more, or all of these directions throughout our life. I’m not against any of these things . . . well, maybe hustling nonstop. 🤪

And, I’d like to build upon that definition of success. 

I’d like success to include:
living well in our own bodies and beings (best we can, for as long as can);
peace of mind;
quality rest and stillness;
joy and fulfillment;
making a positive impact on others;
service to our community, to our planet;
a deep practice of gratitude; 
a life of light and love. 

Something I know for certain: our pathways “forward” do NOT form a straight line. That’s why I like the graphic shown up above. ⬆️ As much as we hope the needle would always move upward and to the right? That’s not real. 

I also know that everything continues shifting. What seems heavy and daunting now, will become something different. What seems delightful and fun now, may also shift. It’s part of it. And, I try not to hook into any of it too deeply. My feelings are just that . . . feelings. They aren’t who I am. They don’t determine things. I picture them like large, puffy clouds that keep drifting and moving with the wind. 

What’s more important to me is being clear, and present, and open to this moment. So that I can continue being of service, and being fulfilled, and being grateful. This is my practice. 

And while I continue learning from my past, I love the lesson of the butterfly. 🦋⬆️

So, here’s to moving forward. Making this next chapter the greatest one yet. 

With light and love,

m