“To find our calling is to find the intersection between our own Deep Gladness and the world’s Deep Hunger.” –Fredrick Buechner

I recently attended a “Fierce Light” workshop where we were invited to share our boldest visions of how we’d like to serve the world. I shared two recurring dreams I’ve had over the past 10 years. In the first dream, I’m casting a golden net around the earth, shining light into the darkest corners by simply connecting the multitude of already existing brilliant sparks. In the second dream, I’m sitting around a table with a group of women joyfully giving away money to help people fund their ideas (and we’re all wearing nametags that say, Abundance Angel). I rushed off from the workshop for my grandson’s 2nd birthday party, feeling there was something not quite complete.

A few mornings later, I awoke at 3am with a fierce energy running through me and the message, “it’s time to step into your greatness…no more playing small!” Tears started flowing as I connected with the full scope of these two important dreams, along with a fear that I somehow wasn’t big enough. Then a sense of radiant peace washed through me as I realized I have everything before me, and within me, to create what I’m now calling my “Fierce Light Vision.” The peace turned to excitement when I realized that everything I’m doing is already in support of this vision but that the energy is just ready to amp up…and that I’ve created an amazing web of support to help meet the fullness of this vision in a new way.

When I planted the original seed of The Service Connection a little over 3 years ago, it was actually another version of those original two dreams. I envisioned women gathering in small circles around the world…stepping into our collective Greatness…receiving the courage, inspiration & financial support to live our boldest dreams…and doing this WHILE creating a stream of philanthropic funding for causes we care about.

I was fortunate that my partner Vasi, along with a circle of significant believers, stepped in to help ground the initial vision. For two years we planted, cultivated, watered, and in some cases tried to force the seed to bloom. This past year, we’ve been “incubating” as we explore and allow space to see where the vision wants to be planted. This has been a very challenging time for me, and often I’ve wanted to let go or give my vision to someone else. I now realize the importance of this time of allowing. I’m much more ready to step into the vision now than I was when it originally came through.

Tags: inspired service, sacred activism, The Service Connection

It’s been almost a week since my “Maui Passage” with The Peaceful Woman.  As I reflect back on this multi-faceted journey into peacefulness, it’s hard to know where to begin.

I could begin at the beginning, when a group of women gathered by the ocean to explore individual intentions and the purpose that brought us together.  I remember being in awe at the powerful diversity and strength within this group of women.  I recognized right away that I was here for more than my initial intention to become a facilitator of these experiential retreats.

Into the Valley of Peace

I could share about the intricate lessons woven from nature and the mystical beauty of the early Hawaiian culture…of how each of these took us deep into an exploration of our own nature and served as a brilliant reflection of the stories ready to be let go or newly birthed.

But what I really wish to write about is an unexpected gift I received from this “passage” into the peacefulness of authentic being…what I’m calling the peace of belonging. It’s not that I felt unpeaceful before I went or that I didn’t already belong.  I was very much at peace with who I am, how I’m showing up in life, and the community of friends I’ve gathered around me.  But I was totally unprepared for how much I would feel a NEW sense of belonging from this experience, or that I would find such a profound sense of peace as I gave myself over to this belonging.

The ancient Hawaiian culture teaches belonging to the land, to one another, and to the divine presence that is part of everything.  It’s easy for me to feel connected in these ways, and Hawaii offers numerous opportunities to connect to the divinity that breathes through her lands (and her waters ;-).

The belonging I’m feeling goes beyond these and even beyond the renewed connection to my inner being.  This belonging is about being part of something bigger than any one of us, and about knowing there’s something being created here that will serve the world in ways none of us can on our own.

I’ll be writing more about the fullness of this experience in days to come, but for now I just wanted to share this peace of my heart and to extend my deep gratitude to TPW founder, Cher Bertrand, for birthing this opportunity.  The Peaceful Woman is about personal renewal & the cultivation of inner peace…but more importantly, it’s a powerful call for women to spread our wings and to emerge as a collective force of leadership for our world.

I hope you’ll come FLY with us!   ~Shining Sor’a

Read ‘The Peaceful Woman’ poem

Peace~full Butterfly Women by Rachel Flower

***The heart of The Peaceful Woman Maui Passage is learning through nature and reflection in an experiential, no-lecture format. Here are a few journal entries that give a glimpse of my personal experience. Yours is bound to be different but at least as rich!

Day 1: Today we immersed in the native hula, exploring this graceful dance of talk story and falling in love with Hawaiian elder, Aunty Gordeen. My heart sprung wide open when Aunty and three of her students greeted us with a beautiful chant, singing us into their abundant garden paradise. Tears were streaming as we entered this sacred space, donned our hula skirts and prepared to learn the movements and sing a story of awakening the peaceful woman.

Day 2: Drove into Iao Valley, the womb of the island where fertility abounds. After a bit of ‘talk story’ with one of our Hawaiian guides, we were sent off to learn from the river and the sacred energy of the valley…a powerful opportunity to connect with our feminine nature and to release. Most everyone had a powerful experience as they immersed in the river; my own came from NOT immersing and allowing myself to release in a different way. “The journey is more satisfying than the destination” was my personal mantra for the day.

Day 3: Fire Day. Lava walk and Hawaiian sweat lodge. I’d like to burn away whatever it is that keeps me from fully connecting with the group. This wasn’t an easy day for me. I am wondering whether this is my place and how I can be more in service and connection here.

Day 4: Waterfall … Flow day. Where am I not in flow in my life? What needs to shift for my flow to return? Walking into the bamboo on our way to the waterfall, I’m flooded by answers to these questions. I need a shift in my mental perspective. I also receive a direct answer to my wondering from yesterday: “Your place is wherever you are. You serve in all that you do.” I leave the bamboo feeling revitalized.

[The longer story involves falling down a waterfall & receiving 5 stitches in my head…the power of manifesting a profound experience to punctuate the message and give the group an opportunity to dive deep into their own reflections.]

Day 5: Ocean Day … Unity. “You have all you need, right here, right now.” Enough said. I am complete.

Post Reflection Entry: The power of an experience is how it keeps working even after it is “over” … the layers of learning keep unfolding, and I’m finding the radiant peace from this experience moving through me and pulling me to act in new ways.

Tags: authenticity, Hawaii retreat, peace, peaceful being, The Peaceful Woman

…let’s create an Arc of Love

As 2009 turned to 2010, I set an intention to be fully alive and more in service than ever before.  So far, the world has presented many opportunities to step into a fast-flowing current of doing.  In some ways, the needs of the world seem overwhelming, and it’s easy to get pulled into over-doing and giving until we’re exhausted.  For me, ‘riding the YES current’ is a reminder to rise from joyful inspiration in everything I do … to follow my passion, allowing natural exuberance to help choose where I give my time & talents … to remember that my body is simply a vessel.  When I allow the divine current to flow through me, I stay renewed & ready for whatever comes.

There are abundant opportunities to give, and many of them are right next door. I love that so many are called to help the people of Haiti, but I’d really prefer us to find ways to build infrastructures that will allow that support to be more ongoing.  Natural disasters will continue to happen, and there will likely always be people around the need extra support.  In the end, that’s probably why we’re here: to learn to give what we have to give, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to open to receive the giving & the loving so that it expands.  Perhaps what we’re being asked to build together NOW is an expansive Arc of Love that will move us into a new phase of humanity.

Tags: activation, inspired service, sacred activism, we are the ones

30 Days of Thanks: This week, I’m allowing the letters of the word
G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E to guide my reflections of thanks-giving. And I’m grateful for the many ways of exploring & deepening my connection to gratitude as I allow myself to play in this way!

Day 5: “G is for Good” reminds me that turning to what is GOOD in my life, I turn away from the perceived problems that take me away from the present moment. And I know it may sound trite, but being present is a wonderful gift.   So today I am thankful for the Goodness that took me on a walk by the river on a beautiful fall day, and for the spontaneous dinner with a friend.  Thank Goodness for nature & friendship!

Day 6: “R is for Renewal” I am so grateful for a delicious day of renewal, rejuvenation, re-choosing.  My radiant friend, Kara, and I created a lovely ceremony for using the Divine Inspiration of this day: 11-11-11!  (2009 adds to 11 :-)  We supported a circle of women and one man (brave Thomas) to step more fully into their service roles as agents of Oneness.  I give thanks for my dear teacher, Elle Re, for being available for all who are ready to move from singular mind into the Unity field of divine Love.     (R is also for Remembering to be Thankful, every single day!

Day 7: “A is for Awe” … and remembering to Appreciate the beauty that is all around me.  Today I’m noticing how my day is flowing so gracefully around me. A long delicious talk with my son over breakfast…a couple of unplanned ‘friendship breaks’ which filled me with smiles…a very helpful connection with my HUB-GPN marketing coach that inspired me to keep sharing the things I love about this social business I am co-creating.  And today’s focus of catching up on bills & emails so I can open more space to create & play is…well, making progress at least!  And now I’m going to take a walk and be in AWE of this beautiful blue-sky day.

Day 8: “Today I am blessed” … T might be for Transforming whatever is before us into an opportunity by giving thanks and knowing we are Loved beyond imagining.  T may be for Trusting that we are never given more than we can handle, and that we can find learning in everything.  T very well might be for Together we are so much more than we are alone.  All of these are True for me this day, and I give Thanks for it all.  Today I know I am TOTALLY blessed.

A bonus for today … check out this amazing video, Together We are One.

Day 9: “I is for Inspiration,” the breath of Spirit which renews & energizes me every time I turn my attention to Giving Thanks.  Today I’m so very thankful for “my boys” (husband, son, grandson) … for time together at our wonderful haven in the woods in McCall Idaho.  This is one of my favorite places of inspiration…a place where so many cherished memories have been created.  I give great thanks for breathing in the fresh air while laughing & playing in the first snow of the season, and for tapping into a few of those great memories.  Here’s one from a few years back…my favorite reminder of what it feels like to say YES!

Day 10: “T is for Tender moments & Treasuring the journey.” Today I simply give thanks for the miracle of being.

Day 11: “U is for Unity … and for embracing the Unexpected.” Another day of simplicity, and I’m appreciating the way I’m learning to flow with what is before me.  As I learn to follow guidance rather than push through with my ‘plans’ for the day, magic has a way of erupting in the most delightful ways.  Today it was an impromptu dinner with my darling daughter.  Thank you, KT, for helping me smile and remember how connected we still are.

Day 12: “D is for Devotion” … and for the delicious, delightful, discovery of  my natural Divinity.  When I give myself to whatever is before me, I find my own divine nature in everything & everyOne who comes before me.  Today, I was blessed by an “integrative session” with my coach-friend-neighbor, Carrie Morgan.  This is what she calls her brilliant blend of deep listening, intuitive assessment, authentic caring, laser coaching, energetic clearing & body balancing.  I call it WOW.  I am in devotion, again, to this path of Love I am walking.  And I am grateful for the reflective Light and how it shines so beautifully when we open our hearts to receive.

Day 13: “E is for Enough” … I have enough, I give enough, I am enough.  This may be one of my greatest challenge areas, especially remembering that what I do & what I give are NOT connected to my innate value as a human being.  :-)  Today I am remembering to Enjoy what is naturally flowing through me, and to Embrace this precious moment, knowing that whatever is here for me is exactly enough.

Tags: 30 days of Thanks, gratitude, inspiration

“Let your big bright brilliant beam of radiant light SHINE!!”
-from Karen Drucker, Let It Shine

Celebrate!

“Shine Out Loud” was the theme for Boise’s 2009 St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration, one of the largest all-women events in the country.  The event was created to empower women of all ages and abilities to come together in celebration of healthy living.  How perfect that this year’s theme was a call to SHINE!!

Over 10,000 women celebrated themselves as brilliant beings, and the 5K run/walk was only one small piece of this tribute to our power as women. The power to embrace life…to pursue our dreams…to overcome obstacles…to celebrate diversity…to persevere…to give hope…and to LOVE, no matter what is happening in the world around us. Standing and walking in this sea of happiness for even just a few hours is quite an experience and such good medicine to lift our collective spirits.

It’s easy to look to the heavens for inspiration, but it’s through these earthly events that we have the real opportunity to let our divine light shine. I may not have shown up for this one, but our Humanity Unites Brilliance team was guided to create an opportunity for some local refugee and in-transition women. I’m so grateful to have been pulled to share in this experience. I touched the heart of the Celebration by simply watching women smile, riding waves of exuberance, and seeing my friend Midge’s almost-90 mother beaming at the finish line.

This is what it is to Shine out Loud: show up and participate in life, being as boldly yourself as you know how to be. When you’re in touch with the natural brilliance that lives through you alone, you’ll serve as a shining inspiration for others as well. And this truly IS something to CELEBRATE!

I celebrate each of you and encourage you to keep glowing all winter long.  In Radiant Connection, Shining Sor’a

Tags: celebration, empowerment, Humanity Unites Brilliance, inspiration, Women's Fitness Celebration

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one …
I am of the opinion that my life belongs
to the whole community and as long as I live it
is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die,
for the harder I work, the more I live.
I rejoice in life for its own sake.

Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me.
It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment,
and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.”
~George Bernard Shaw

Amen. This is one of my very favorite quotes, even though I sometimes feel unworthy when I read it, like I haven’t quite got the torch burning brightly enough. Still, it brings tears of recognition, and I know that I am doing what I can with the moments I have. More often now, I recognize that the brightest burning comes from the stringing of moments, one bright bead of time after another, so that they all come together to create this splendid torch I call my life.

Consider how you are stringing your beads of time, and whether your torch is glowing as brightly as you’d like. So many of our moments are simply lost to the inevitable ‘to do’ list or in emotional response to past stories or future inventions. When we live fully alive to the gift of the moment (the ‘present’ ;-), we are creating a worthy torch to pass on to future generations.

It’s easy to be consumed by the negativity that surrounds us in the media and sometimes in our daily circumstances. It takes great compassion to live in a world where many are still homeless and hungry, while others live with more than we really need. In at least one way, those with excess have the bigger challenge: how do we choose where to focus our resources when the needs seem so much larger than any one person can fill?

Have you ever noticed how the very heart of compassion, the simple caring for others, is PASSION. It takes extreme passion to live in this world for the good of the whole, and to show up day after day after day doing what is needed to care for the less glamorous parts of our world.

It’s humbling to see the work that is already being done all around the world … people joining together to build bridges of hope, sustainability, and transformation. So many acts of simple giving become life-evolving, and we each hold the key to unlock a prison door for someone less fortunate than ourselves.

Andrew Harvey, sacred activist extraordinaire, guides us to follow our heartbreak…to choose one thing that hurts most and find a way to give to that. It doesn’t need to be a life-altering giving, although most of us know that when we give to that which is breaking our hearts, our lives are always changed. And this is a good thing.

Last month, I wrote about co-creative alchemy, and today I feel more passionate than ever before about the need for us to ACT TOGETHER in co-creation. This is a time of great change, and as visionary-futurist Barbara Marx-Hubbard so elegantly tells us, “collapse is an inevitable seed within the natural process of evolution.” We are the imaginal cels that are birthing a new way of being, and this is a powerful choice point for how we are to Serve this awakening society. (If you want the full juicy story about ‘imaginal cels’ watch Barbara’s enlightening video, ‘Humanity Ascending’.)

So … what is your heartbreak?  Where is your passion? What bright or subtle burning will light your torch even more brightly?

And how might we come together to create a truly Splendid Torch to pass along to the next generation?

I celebrate the Light within each of you.
~Shining Sor’a

Tags: activation, Add new tag, awakening, enlightenment, inspired service, sacred activism