Which 'rower' are you?
The Retreat Within: Taking accountability for our past, present, and future or else dominion over us we grant to another.
Greetings friends, family and supporters:
It is time for a Spring update and as the new blades of grass emerge through the chilly dirt - we too are emerging… anew. I have several things to share and a bonus story about ROWING at the end. But first and most of all:
How are you? How is your heart? Are you creating balance in a little corner of the chaos? I am trying to create balance wherever I go. My best life hack of the moment? It’s an oldie but improved goodie. “I am responsible for the life I create, if I give this accountability over to another - then they have dominion over my life, my choices and my happiness.”
And on to the work we go:
A Women's Sacred Circle - Nashville, TN (monthly)
I will be attending and bringing others to this amazing monthly gathering curated by Karen Renee Robb for support, connection and resilience. This gathering is meant to bring together well-seasoned women. Women who are SERIOUS about helping to bridge the changes that need to happen locally, in our nation, and the world, in a BIG way. Please register in advance!
Unveiling The Feminine Gaze in Art, Music, Film, Media & Literature - On Zoom (5-weeks)
IAOMAI Global is hosting a focus group on our learning hub IAOMAI Global Edu. You can connect to that platform at the top of our Substack or the button above to learn more. Join me and Lucia Comnes for a 5-Week Focus Group to discuss the impact of sovereign and authentic women as we reimagine true feminism for the future. This group is for all gender identities and we encourage all to weigh in on this important conversation.
Uncover the Stories of Your Ancestors & Heal Family Legacies - On Zoom (quarterly)
Also on IAOMAI Global Edu, join me for a brand new online class where you'll learn how to uncover your heritage using intuitive methods. You will be guided through the process of tracing your lineage in a new, fun and interactive way. No prior experience is necessary - just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm! Don't miss this opportunity to connect and discover more about your past, present, and future.
Women's Moon Lodge - Center for Indigenous Truth & Culture | Tracy City, TN (quarterly) (offered QUARTERLY in conjunction with the CITC Peace Gathering, select dates only).
Join me and Karen Renee again in May as we create & hold a sacred space for the women, by the women. This is not a women only sweat lodge ceremony. This supplemental event occurs in addition to the regular lodge gathering and is designed to support women of all ages and backgrounds to gather in a unique, trusted circle. For those on their moontime this is a safe space to rest and connect to your inner wisdom and power. For all other women (children and elders, too!) you are invited to join us for a much needed time of community, support, and learning.
Shout out to some of the wonderful, amazing people who have particularly inspired me this season. They encourage and row along with me in the waters of healing and hope. Follow them, connect with them, and be inspired to become a fellow rower of your own boat. :)
Now for a story about… ROWING.
Traversing by train up the coast of Scotland, we spotted for just a glimpse a team of rowers on the water. As I hastily snapped a blurry photo I was struck by the idea of rowing and all the metaphors this brings to mind and heart. We are all rowing our own boat, aren’t we? And there are those around us rowing, too.
There are the ones like us from the train that day, the viewers, blowing by and thinking how wonderful it is that they are rowing. Inspired by the row.
There are the ones who have never seen a team of rowers. Maybe wondering why on Earth one would take to rowing for sport. Maybe saying “why are you even doing that?”
There are the ones on the sidelines of rowing matches, screaming to “keep rowing” and urging, cheering even from the edge of the waters.
There are those we tell of our rowing adventures, they look at you, smile, support your rowing from a safe distance hoping you will never invite them in the boat. They would refuse or be too afraid to row.
There are those who think they’re made to row your boat and they jump in, and take the lead - only to realize eventually they just abandoned their own boat. They break their neck or get stuck looking back at their boat until they decide your boat was never there’s to row. Sometimes they tell you it’s your fault they abandoned their boat! They give up rowing with you to go back to find their boat again. Funny enough, you never asked them to leave their boat, you just encouraged them to row.
There are always a few who just love to scream at you to “ROW like them, or better, faster, slower, more often, and in a different way” and to those I give a wise smile and graceful wave from my perfectly paced boat. :)
And on the rarest of rare occasions, there are those individuals who get it. These are the ones who row their boat gently into your water space. They row their boat patiently right alongside yours, keeping pace, and rowing WITH you. Urging with their steady presence nearby to “keep rowing” no matter how slow. The sport would say these are your greatest competitors. But the truth is these are your truest allies, metaphorically speaking. The rare ones who maintain their own speed, unthreatened by your momentum, sometimes rowing ahead and sometimes behind. But you're in the same orbit of water and you share the same goal. They have rowed enough to gain the wisdom that there is no clear winner, just the journey along the water. They are grateful for the water, the boats, the current, the traversing. They are grateful you are rowing too. This is the “rower” I choose to be. Which rower are you?
Lastly, I am sharing below an article I wrote for a legacy publication in Scotland about my recent visit there. Potent. Serene. Grounding. Scotland, she is breath-taking indeed. If she is calling you, please answer.
