As I write this, I am deep in the woods, on top of a mountain in the wilds of West Virginia with a tribe of women that I called dear sisters.
In the company of these women, I have matured and grown into a woman that I am proud of. I would wish this for every woman.
My learnings in the company of women have not always been easy (or fun!).
From the fifth grade through eighth grade, my experiences in the company of other women were rough on the good days and absolutely devastating on the more challenging days.
Thank goodness for growth and welcoming new experiences!
As I entered my late teens and 20’s I found that I’m actually quite good at bringing together groups of women for healing, laughter and adventures together.
When I had a yoga studio in Tampa, there were a group of us called the goddesses- sadly I moved away, however this group of women still get together to support one another and celebrate life and living together regularly.
In my 30’s I was so fortunate to find an organization called the Hero’s Journey Foundation.
In the care and company of the friends I have made through our shared adventures in West Virginia over the past 14 years, I found a place where my most wild and elemental self is welcomed and encouraged, growing wilder and more free each year.
This is a journey I have shared with my daughter, Ali as well as with my Mother. It’s quite powerful.
With these women, I:
– Have climbed mountains that felt impossible- the mountains are literal and metaphorical, and I have felt supported every step of the way.
– Have walked on fire. I have walked on actual fire as well as the fires of a failing marriage, parenting challenges and facing my own inner darkness.
– Have crawled deep within the belly of mother Earth. And have laughed and laughed and laughed. And got really, really muddy.
– Have been able to explore my own fierceness and passion and aliveness in ways that historically had been been afraid to show for fear of being labeled a bitch. This has been so important for the people pleaser in me.
– Have learned to build fires. Literal fires from wood and also the kind of fires the burn inside and light up life.
– Have learned that I can trust, that I can have faith and that these are the most courageous acts of living.
How do women show up in your life?
Is there room for you to grow?
Do you trust other women? Can you rely on women to be good and support you?
Do you compete with other women? Are you jealous of others? Being able to “mine” jealousy as my own inner call to have the things I am/was jealous of has been HUGE transformation.
To allow the jealousy/competition to awaken in me that I am HUNGRY for those things and to feel free to go after them myself has made me a better and stronger woman time and time again.
Maybe this email even makes you a bit jealous… if so, consider that a direct call from your soul that you too are destined for your own wild tribe, and consider yourself invited here next summer.
Do you accept care from other women? The soul nourishing kind?
Do you long for a tribe of your own?
Please, join the Hero’s Journey email list. The link is right here.
https://herosjourneyfoundation.org/
Consider a journey like this for yourself (especially if you feel a connection from my words above).
I’d love to welcome you here amongst us in August 2019. I’ll save you a seat.
Wild love,