The goal of inner work is wholeness, not perfection. In pursuing perfection we are destined to come up short. Yes, it’s noble to aim for excellence. Yet in striving for perfection we seek only part of the whole, for things to be one way only. Wholeness, on the other hand, includes it all. The ways … More Facing Into Wholeness: a New Year’s Reflection
oh, how swiftly brilliance eagerness intensity gets dulled by shame shimmering turns flat brightness hides in shadows elegance is muddled love quashed a call to (re)turn to vulnerability and tenderness again and again and again.
i mistook your mask your art for the expansiveness of your heart. your music sang of depths and heights. your notes expressed wisdom and truth. your words resonated light and dark. thus, i assumed you too could take in the breadth of our existence. the fortitude to dig deeper seeking liberation. raging against, breaking … More Fury, a poem
Look, the world filled with Beauty, expansiveness. And Still we practice hate.
Each photo links to an exercise. Choose an image that resonates with you. xoxo
Dear Loves, So many of us are deeply troubled and frightened by our current political climate. Manifestations of our lower selves are not only more visible, but condoned, even celebrated. I also find myself curious about what would it be like to suffer an even more limited human existence than the one I inhabit. One where … More Dear Loves
My love is too big. Maybe I should apportion Currents, waves, tides.
Sometimes it’s too much The world overwrought with pain. And then there is love.
It’s so easy to Make judgements from the outside ‘Til you swim the depths…
Sometimes I get it. Can hold, endure anything. Other moments not.
Crafted at Writing Woman: An Embodied Creative Writing and Ritual Experience led by poet & wise woman Elana Bell. This piece was inspired by Lucille Clifton. Image by Antonio Paramo My body’s fulcrum. Full breasts above. Strong hips below. This belly. Plump, abundant, fleshy. It sometimes shrinks. It mostly grows. Rounded mounds. Soft, pliable. It contains the … More Homage to My Belly, a poem
by eloiza jorge I’m fine alone She says, wanting to convince herself. She’s right. She has survived. Clawed, climbed, clambered out of depths of anguish Cobbling, crafting, reconstructing a life. Finding firm ground underneath Broken open enough for wisdom to take root For a sturdy backbone to get built. Yet it’s sweeter, gentler, kinder In … More Corazón, a poem
You’re competent. You’re responsible. You’re sensible. You have it together. People rely on you. You mostly complete tasks. You’re mostly on time. You mostly do what you say you’re gonna do. Yet somehow life is not fully satisfying. You’re not deeply rewarded for your goodness. Even when you’re praised for being kick-ass, it doesn’t feel quite … More Radical Advice for Competent, Responsible, Sensible Women
Tell her you adore her. Tell her she’s your best thing. Kiss, hug and snuggle often. Try to remember your grief does not trump hers. Ask her why she’s hurting. Tell her you’re sad too. Say, I know my dear it must hurt, instead of life is unfair. When she tells you someone at school … More Radical Advice for Mothers of Fiery Daughters
backbones get built vertebrae by vertebrae with every victory with every heartache with every triumph with every shattering with each awakening they become sturdy bearing the weight of new consciousness embodying self-love strengthened, emboldened
When it’s time to discuss difficult and sensitive topics with my 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter my first response is normally to tell the truth. This often means I keep it vague and abstract, but I’m sure not to lie. Kids know about unfairness. Kids know about meanness. Kids know about … More Teaching Kids About Injustice & Police Brutality
The new Disney version of the Cinderella fable departs from other popular versions in that it focuses on Cinderella’s capacity for courage and kindness. This is especially poignant in the midst of the envy and cruelty of her stepmother and sisters. While I’m generally critical of sanitized versions of myths that tend to send the … More Radical Advice: Working with Envy
I don’t want to play the record Perch behind the lens Hold the pen. I want to be the song
I’ve been in therapy. And I’m a coach. Actually, for over half of my life I’ve been committed to healing through various therapeutic approaches: homeopathy, metaphysical healing, talk therapy, kinesiology and the like. I’m often asked what’s the difference between coaching and therapy? I’m grateful that I can speak from experience about the value and deep … More Differences between Therapy & Coaching
Recently a dear friend found out that the person who she was in a relationship with was lying to her– for o v e r a y e a r. If you have been in a similar situation (as I have) you can imagine how “fuck you” might be an appropriate response…
I had always imagined healing would be this ethereal experience. The sun shining, a community of support, basking in a feeling of wholeness… That is until I really dedicated myself to a healing path. I then came to understand the often lonely, painful, and dark path healing sometimes requires.
beating, pulsing, vibrating simultaneous, polyrhythmic. discordant, harmonious. all at once. pulling her forward, almost against her will. impulses and desires emanating from a brimming, full heart there’s no choice but to participate. movement. dance. flow. life. breath. awakening. all the while swimming in deep waters of solitude.
