Emerging into a New Season
Greetings from Emerald Isle, NC where I am spending Labor Day weekend with my family. It has been a fitting close to the season, where as much as possible, I have been immersing myself in the awe inspiring and nourishing sights, sounds and rhythms of nature. It is a picture perfect beach day today with plentiful sunshine, moderate temperature, calm waters and a gentle breeze. An exciting part of being here this time of year is the sea turtle nest watching that often occupies our evenings. On Friday night, although the nest near us remained quiet – the skies lit up with lightning over the ocean almost continually for hours. It was a majestic and powerful display from Mother Nature, and many of us who witnessed it believed that we had never seen anything quite like it. Saturday evening delivered a spectacular turtle nest “boil”, where 111 tiny loggerhead turtles emerged from the sand and made their march to the sea (and if they are lucky, out to the Gulf Stream). It was a joyful happening and because it took place in waning daylight (which is unusual – they usually emerge in darkness), I was able to capture pieces of it on video. If you are looking for a life affirming lift or at least a smile, you can check it out on my Facebook page.
As some of you may know, I had an unexpected health situation that arose in June of 2016. This led me to postpone the series of workshops I had scheduled beginning in September 2016 — although I continued to work with individual clients and my certification trainees. As unwelcome as this journey was, I took it on as a multidimensional healing opportunity. I am grateful and relieved to report that I am on the other side of this journey. I am feeling great and deeply enjoying and savoring life right now. Of course, the process of integration is ongoing. Yet, at this moment, I feel more present, intuitive and — the word that keeps coming to me — essential — than ever. I am called to share the gifts I have received and continue to be of service. One pretty straightforward way to do this is to continue to share Focusing with individuals and groups. It is a practice that reaps rewards on many levels – somatic, emotional, interactional, psychological and sometimes spiritual.
In May, to mark my transition and “lay the year down,” I walked the last 74 miles of the El Camino Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route that ends in Northwestern Spain. Hiking the Camino was like a weeklong walking meditation, where Focusing was one of my essential companions. Among other things, the journey was an exercise in deep listening to whatever was arising and then literally walking with it until it was ready to shift or be released. This helped me to clear a space for the emergence of new potential and creation.
Over 20 years ago when I was first introduced to Focusing, I had a strong and immediate sense of it as a powerful catalyst – both for me personally and in the field of healing and self-care. It has continued to feel foundational and relevant through all of my inner and outer travels and is particularly alive for me right now. The capacity to witness our inner life, to sense freshly in the moment, to develop compassion for self and other, to listen well, to become more embodied — these are transformational benefits of the work.
Individual Focusing sessions or integrated Focusing oriented counseling sessions are another way to support your growth and embodied awakening. Sessions can be periodic or ongoing, determined by your unique circumstances. Also, you might be interested in seeing upcoming workshops.
If you are interested in exploring this gentle but powerful method of healing, growth and transformation — or have friends, colleagues or clients who are looking for the benefits of connecting more with their inner life, please let me know if I can be a resource.
Sending you wishes for life forward movement, wherever you are on your own journey. I look forward to connecting with you.