Cocooning Season is upon us!

The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, the sunny days are shortening.. I feel a hibernation coming on. I try to listen to my body even moreso this time of year, as it beckons me to bed earlier and begs me to linger longer with my journal. In the pause, I take time for gratitude. Over the past 10 years, having searched passionately for the intersection of "the world's deep need" and "my deep gladness," I am elated to report it feels fine!


A concept I birthed just a year ago has come to fruition. Six circles later, I am in awe at the power of people connecting in circle to inspire, stimulate and create. Something amazing takes over once we connect at this level! Thanks to Tama Kieves for helping me bring this idea into the world and to all of my friends who have taken the leap of faith to support me in this amazing endeavor.


The fall circle (now engaged in transformational transitions) is composed of eight members, representing five different decades of life well-lived, and is enriched by their incredible diversity of experiences and lifestances. We are spending sunny afternoons relishing each others' stories and sharing shifting beliefs, all as we find our voices and improve our listening skills. 



The girls friendship circles that began this summer (focusing on transition into middle school) absolutely insisted on continuing, despite their busy schedules. While I think they could easily spend the entire circle time in meditation, we have delved into friendship, celebrating our uniqueness, goal setting, activating our assertive voices and brainstorming solutions to all those pesky middle school problems. 


And the organic circle that formed over a year ago continues to meet every month. It is a wonder to behold the support, insights and actions that have been taken as a result of the empowerment the circle provides. We are currently working on standing in our feminine power, bringing these unique gifts into balance with our previously learned masculine gifts.


One thing all of the circlers express routinely is their gratitude for the gifts of the circle: connection, support, insights and most of all, listening to each other's stories. It is true as they say, stories connect us. I have also seen how they can heal. In this time of great need for new stories, beginning with an awareness of our own story is primary. Who am I? Why am I here? And an inner knowing that, while the journey may be long, it begins right here, right now, with a single step.