Higher Learning
Getting comfortable with self-improvement
Like everyone I'm close with, I'm working on personal learning and self-discovery. I'm fortunate to receive guidance and inspiration from a variety of sources- people, places, and resources. Some books that have been pivotal to my thinking are: The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer; Loving What Is by Byron Katie (these two books can be used well in tandem with one another- thanks for the tip, Wander Boys!); and Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert.
The amazing Migrant Education team that I was lucky enough to work with introduced me to the incredible Four Agreements, a Toltec Wisdom book written by don Miguel Ruiz
I also listen daily to Deepak Chopra's 21 Day Meditation Challenge, Creating Abundance. I feel like it has rewired my brain to be healthier, more calm, and more hopeful.
Finding Community
I am profoundly aware of the fact that I am here and happy because of my community. Somehow I've found myself miraculously surrounded by people who inspire, challenge, and love me every day. They are why I get out of bed every morning and keep fighting for more good time here.
My community is my greatest asset and the connections that I get to continue to make are worth more to me than anything else.
I look forward to lots more connection, learning, growing, and loving with these incredible people and hope to continue to be a positive force of loving energy now and even after I'm gone.
There have a been a couple of key changes to my life and schedule that have been game-changers for me- specifically, having times scheduled into every week for healthy connections with my community.
For me, the anchors have been yoga on Mondays with a beloved group of girlfriends and Whiskey night many Fridays with a delightfully different group of friends. I wish for these easy and fun opportunities for everyone desiring more connection.
Opening to connections with the natural world
In the past couple of years I've experienced some profound losses- of loved ones, identities, beliefs, and structures; some of which I had previously thought were necessary for survival. During these challenges to my mental models, I have found intense clarity, grounding, peace, and wisdom simply from spending time outside in nature. The healing, perspective, and presence afforded to me in the gorgeousness of pacific northwest and beyond are the most pivotal to my growth and development- the most instantly magical of all of the practices I'm learning to incorporate into my life.
Extending Consciousness- Higher Learning with Good Chemistry
One of the biggest changes that I've made in the past few years has been opening to experiences with cannabis and other natural substances to explore my own mind in more depth. It may be some undiagnosed ADHD or just the the way that my mind was developed within a particular culture, but I have trouble sometimes finding kindness and possibility for myself there. I'm learning that these substances can help me open my mind to light, life, love, and confidence in my own existence and understanding of the world. My most recent experience in an Ayahuasca ceremony in Brazil opened portals to forgiveness, love, tranquility, and self-awareness that I'll continue to process for some time.