Life is filled with so many turning points. They can be driven by us and sometimes we perceive them to be thrown at us.
Many years ago I stopped perceiving them as out of my control and sent by others. I have also stopped using change, closure, and endings. Those 3 simple words carry a heavy dose of societal fear. I don't believe that the true essence of these words is fear. No, we have created stories around these words that have driven us for many centuries deeper into fear.
Turning points still hold an essence of movement forward, a grace of accomplishment, and a base of self creation. This word carries an elegance of dance waiting to be performed. It holds within it beauty, presence, and mystery.
This week holds a particular turning point for me. This week I complete the final year of an apprenticeship. Three years ago I was gifted a teacher to support me in unlocking a deeper sense of my true essence. The first year was filled with an immersion into a grounded contemporary shamanic apprenticeship where I discovered a deeper understanding of my innate connection to this ancient modality blended with modern perspective and tools. I relished in the guidance and unfoldment always excited for more. The 2nd year was a practicum. Although it was 4 months in actual interaction it did not come up short. I was challenged to bring out into the world what my first year unlocked. There were many days of struggle to create the essence of leaning into my style and signature. Through it all was my teacher, Robin Rice, holding the space from a distance. This year I was a gifted with helping her to support a group of apprentices under her guidance while continuing my learning. Spanish immersion was the phrase used to describe the teaching, sharing, and growth. It lived up to its title. As the months unfolded it became very clear how expertly she had taken me from our first encounter, through the pathways, and back to my original teacher ~ Spirit. I had come full circle in the spiral always moving up and forward.
The gratitude that flows as I reflect upon this journey will carry me deeper and further than I have gone. I bow in honor of who she is to the world, to me and to herself. A woman who has heard the call of her soul and answered time and time again.
In life we are gifted people who bring to us without question pieces of our essence and hold us as we unwrap and embrace them. They stand holding no judgement of our choices and too long held stories. Always patient they wrap us in our essence we, ourselves, have yet to discover.
With this turning point being held out in front of me, I step gently ready to continue forward, welcoming the adventure, and relishing those I will meet along the way. I carry within me a deeper knowledge of our communal journeys, my commitment to my community, my delight in the mystery around me, and the courage to answer the call of my soul over and over again. My life will be different. It has no choice because I am different. My life will be more. I am more.
Will a teacher cross my path again, perhaps?
For now I embark upon a stronger knowing of my true essence bringing it out into the world, sharing all that is being asked by my soul and Spirit to continue giving to my community, family, and friends.
To Turning Points xoxo
The Soul Traveler