I had to stop and make it up as I went along.
In 2021, I realized I needed to STOP and reassess my life. I needed a reset after an especially intense and busy three years.
In 2022, I embarked on a sabbatical knowing it would be a life-changing year. I went all in with the intention of transforming, finding deeper peace, and embodying spiritual consciousness.
Little did I know what ‘initiations’ would appear.
Taking a year away from my clients and courses was terrifying and liberating.
So, what did I do? Where did I go?
In the first six months, I traveled the world. I visited South Africa, Mozambique, Israel, Eastern Europe, and southern France. I was guided to these locations to study the spiritual and somatic arts. We visited sacred sites, communed with nature, and learned from extraordinary people.
When I started the journey, I did not have an itinerary. I only knew that Cape Town, South Africa, was destination number one. The rest, I made up as we went along.
Word of mouth, uncanny synchronicities, and intuition guided the way.
Below is a short recap.
Topics of study: I attended various programs in body de-armoring, dance and movement therapies, energy and subtle-body awareness, emotional release, the alchemy of the evolved masculine and feminine within, and healing methodologies, including energy orgasms and Kahuna massage. (whew! Talk about a download.)
Highlights: The memories are precious including connecting with many kindred spirits in Cape Town, wild dolphin swim in the Indian Ocean, safari in South Africa, Huni Quin ayahuasca ceremonies, peaceful days in Bodhi Khaya eco-retreat center, an eight-day water fast, wilderness hiking, tours in Jerusalem, visiting Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, trekking in St. Baume, France, and entering the Mary Magdalene cave.
After months of travel and deep inner work, I needed to integrate. My nervous system felt overloaded, and I knew it was time to pause.
Through prayer and listening, a vision arrived, leading me to my next destination, leading me home.
In mid-July, I arrived at sacred Mt. Shasta and went into retreat, living alone in a yurt in the woods for seven weeks. I swam daily in Lake Siskiyou. I fell in love with yoga, writing, contemplation, and mostly, I came home to me!
Thus, healing unfolded naturally, which I will explain and put into context in my following post. I’ll get vulnerable and share the Lowlights - the complex and shadow parts - of last year.
That is when the disruption, redemption, and reconciliation rocked my world and brought me into greater integrity with myself.
While my sabbatical “reset” year involved some beautiful memories, it also forced me to hit rock bottom. All my experiences served as catalysts for inner growth – the maturity in my awareness that I had been praying for. (Prayer works!)
Life looks different today. I feel blessed and grateful for all of it.
Are you seeing how life circumstances are catalyzing your inner growth?
May we move through life with self-compassion and care.
Until next time,
Your Companion Guide in Awakening,
Joy
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