Look Within & Light It Up

It’s SUMMER!

Happy start to summer, everyone!

I recently treated myself to some organic Michigan strawberries. I have to tell you, it’s as if all of summer was packed into those juicy bites! SO delicious.

The strawberries got me thinking about the essence of summer. For me? Hanging out in the water. As a kid, I used to bike to a nearby swim club and stay as LONG as my Mom would possibly allow. I felt like I was getting away with something . . . such freedom! ​

Seems I’ve always loved the water; Crystal Lake vacations were the best!

Rocking the red & white gingham bikini back in the day! 🤣

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“We crave that deep place within that cannot be touched by the ups and downs of life, but rather just IS – connected and whole.”
~ KATIE RUBINSTEIN

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Getting Into The Muck
Building That Jar Of Trust

Hi friends!

How’s your start of summer?

Last week I wrote about working on an intention over the long term. I told you that I was going to commit to releasing myself from judgment. Judgment of others. Judgment of self.

Since putting my awareness there, I realized something. Yes, judgment gets in the way, trips me up, and interferes with my highest, best self. I will continue my intention to be aware of, and release, judgment.

And, I realize there’s something even further down in the roots worth digging into.

Here’s the thing. I haven’t unearthed the right word for what I really want to let go of.  

It resembles insecurity. It feels a little like anxiety. And, it goes on like a comfortable cloak. This covering provides a thin (or thick . . . depending!) layer of separation that is challenging to shed. Honestly? It’s with me way too much of the time.

While I do think this cloak has served me well at certain times in my life, I’m ready to hang it up. (At least most of the time.) Why? Because I no longer need its protection.

My years of daily yoga practice have changed me. While I will always be a work in progress, I now have a strong connection to my emotional self. I honor the entire spectrum of who I am. This may sound super simple for some of you (I hope so!) but I assure you . . . these things did not come readily for me.

It’s one thing to do this for myself and within myself. And quite another to find the comfort (the confidence? the clarity?) to be fully myself around others.

I have lots of thoughts about the “why” behind all of this, but I’m more interested in the “what’s next?”

As always, I use my practice to guide me. Time in stillness, connecting to my breath, is where I begin. I’m at the initial stages of this gentle internal investigation; here’s what I’ve gleaned so far:

• Shifting something that has been a pattern for decades will undoubtedly take time. I can’t expect instantaneous results;
• That said, having the awareness that I am ready to hang up my cloak has already started to shift everything;
• I am observing, and celebrating, my steps (big, small, and baby) towards my desired growth and change;
• These celebrations are like putting a marble into a jar. (I love this concept from Brené Brown’s, Daring Greatly) Each time I relax more into who I am, and allow that to be visible for others, I add a marble to the jar. Eventually, that jar will be full, and I will have greater trust in going about in the world, cloak free!
• Honestly? So far this investigation has been FUN! And, super rewarding. I look forward to sharing some beautiful examples another day!
• All this to say, I can’t wait to see what happens next. 🫶🏽

Here’s to each of us lighting it up and leading with love,

💡♥️ m