MAINTENANCE
Welcome to 2024!
Are you ready to enter the new year with gusto?!
Have you made a list of your goals for 2024 yet?!
Did you create your vision board, find your accountability partner, and make that manifestation list yet?!
JUST KIDDING.
Take a deep breath and read this instead.
Skateboarding is amazing. And damn, I’m so glad I tried it. Learning new things as an adult is essential to creativity. To life. Skateboarding keeps me on my toes. It challenges me daily and just when I think I get a handle on something…splat. I have to start all over again.
Skateboarding above all else, is humbling.
I injured my back over the summer, not skateboarding of course, but bending over to put away a Costco size package of toilet paper in the linen closet. It’s a glamorous life! I was so angry. Like really angry, because just two weeks prior I had started to work on some new skateboarding skills. It was too soon for my body to have any depth of muscle memory, so I was still really shaky and not certain what happens when body and board and speed combine to create the movement to do the thing and not fall down.
So I had to stop. Completely.
And I was so damn mad.
I stayed off my board for a full month. It did not feel good. I was miserable. I went ahead and met up with our skate friends, but just sat there on the sidelines. Something that is really hard for me. It boiled my blood. Made me bitter and most days I ended up hiking the surrounding hills just to not have to be still amidst all the motion and excitement of the park.
I wish I could say that those few weeks were a beautiful journey of introspection and I was gifted with a deeper understanding of self, but nope. They just sucked. Zero enlightenment from the experience of just sitting there. Boo. It was very Veruca Salt.
And that’s okay. Part of the process, I guess. But yeah, I totally hated it.
When my body finally felt secure enough to get back on my board, I had to go slow. I was far from picking up where I left off. All I could really do was go back to the basics. Work on my push, speed, and turns. That was it.
My skater friends were all very kind and supportive. Encouraging me to get back out there but also take it slow. So I did. Put in my earbuds, listened to my music and just cruised around. For months. There were many adventures during this time. A trip up to Woodward, long weekends to a handful of parks within about 3 hours or so of where we live. I was out there keeping stride, but not necessarily growing my skill set. In fact, I had lost skills.
J, one of my skater friends asked how I was doing. It had been a while since I had been feeling confident on the board and he could see it. I told him my back still felt vulnerable and my body was not really in command. I was faking it, but things still felt a bit off. “So I’m just like skating around I guess,” I said.
“Maintenance,” he said. “You’re in maintenance. Don’t knock it.”
He was right. J is always right. It’s infuriating.
Maintenance is a very real thing. And in skateboarding, it’s crucial. It is really hard to not backslide with skateboarding if you do not practice maintenance, especially when it comes to skills that are a stretch for your body and mind. The key to skateboarding is don’t ever stop, even if you absolutely hate where you are at. This is the terrible misery of the sport. It will test you in every single way a human can be tested simply because you love it so much.
As above, so below.
As in skateboarding, so in life.
Creatively we cannot always be moving forward and we are often faced with reconciling what looks like moving backwards. Or maybe just a pause. But this pause or backslide does not stop growth. We grow, develop, and evolve from the day we are born until the day we die. Like nature in the quiet months of winter, growth tasks us with a slowing down. Life calls upon us probably more often than we are able to hear to be in maintenance.
As we sit on the precipice of the turning of time this week I dare you to enter the new year simply in maintenance. To allow yourself to be in receivership of the lessons of the last few months. Gift yourself the time and space to integrate all that you have witnessed and accomplished. And also all your failures (if you don’t have failures then you might need to get out more).
The pressure to plan and push forward right now is real. And it’s bullshit. Psychologically and energetically there is not a single worse time to set intentions for the year to come than right now. Neutrality and clarity is nearly impossible to find after months of holidays, complex family dynamics, work obligations, and the steady dumpster fire of humanity.
So don’t do it.
Instead, commit to what feels like maintenance. Do the things as they are. Allow for integration. For quiet. Be a little bored. Reach neutrality. Reach clarity. You have my permission.
As we enter 2024, high fives all around for just being. Team maintenance all the way.
We can even get matching embroidered jackets.
Happy New Year, friend. Thanks for spending time here with me. I love you.
xxx
LAS
SOLAR TRANSIT
12-31-23
GATE 38
Gate of the Fighter
On the final day of the year, the sun gracefully journeys through GATE 38, also known as the GATE of the FIGHTER. Amidst this celestial passage, an invitation is extended to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. GATE 38 beckons, providing a unique opportunity to delve deep into the inner sanctum, with a specific focus on understanding one's approach to challenges and adversity.
As the sun makes its way through GATE 38, it casts a luminous light upon a path ripe for exploration—an exploration of the energies propelling you toward the discernment of what holds genuine meaning and is deemed worthy of a spirited fight. This celestial transit serves as a gentle guide, nudging you to scrutinize your needs, values, and intentions, setting them as the bedrock for purposeful actions.
GATE 38 acts as a catalyst, inspiring contemplation on personal values and vision to foster alignment with one's actions. It encourages individuals to view challenges not merely as obstacles but as opportunities for understanding what is truly worth fighting for. Transforming the narrative of struggle into a journey of discovery, Gate 38 advocates harnessing the power of newfound insights as the cornerstone for a robust vision of transformation—one that brings dreams into tangible existence. This energy instills the vigor required to champion a noble cause, embracing the pressure to evolve and infuse life with meaning.
Gate 38, in its less favorable manifestation, represents an inclination to engage in conflict for its own sake—a belief that life is inherently meant to be an unhealthy struggle. To elevate the frequency of GATE 38, it becomes imperative to challenge and rewrite any convictions that dictate one is fated to endure life's struggles. Reconnecting with the spirit of the warrior is key, transcending negative beliefs and embracing a mindset that life's challenges are a canvas for personal growth and transformation.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Recall a recent challenge. What did you learn about yourself and what you believe is worth fighting for?
2. List your core values guiding decisions. How do they align with your actions during challenges?
3. Describe a tough moment turned into personal growth. What lessons did you learn, and how does this contribute to your life's purpose?
4. Examine any limiting beliefs about struggle. How can you reframe them for a more positive mindset?
During this transit, you are encouraged to view challenges as opportunities for growth, advocating for fighting for what is right. Embracing this energy involves transforming limiting beliefs, reconnecting with one's fighter spirit, and envisioning a life aligned with values and intentions.
NEW PROMPT!!
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
EEFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though things seem hard and challenging, I choose to use my challenges to provide clarity around what I really want, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
SOLAR TRANSIT
1-06-24
GATE 54
Gate of Drive
On January 6, the initial Solar Transit of the year gracefully guides the sun through GATE 54, recognized as the GATE of DRIVE. This celestial journey invites you to embark on a deep self-discovery, emphasizing the energy associated with ambition and drive.
In the complex tapestry of Human Design, GATE 54 functions as a conduit for Divine Inspiration, promoting patience and waiting for alignment before taking action. It advocates for embracing the responsibility for ideas and trusting the Divine path of inspiration.
GATE 54 embodies the energy of ambition and drive, grounded in the material realm encompassing time, money, and resources, as a conduit for spiritual growth. Trust is a vital practice during this transit, allowing you to establish a relationship with yourself and Source or the Divine that you are deserving of abundance.
Gate 54 can manifest as blind ambition, resulting in bitterness and a tendency to abandon pursuits prematurely if immediate results are lacking. Elevating the frequency of GATE 54 involves challenging and rewriting beliefs that associate financial success with a lack of spirituality. Instead, embrace the notion that material prosperity is a valid path toward spiritual growth.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on a recent instance where you felt a strong sense of ambition or drive. What were the underlying motivations, and how did this energy impact your actions?
2. Consider a goal you are currently pursuing. How can the principles of patience and waiting for alignment, as suggested by GATE 54, be applied to enhance your approach?
3. Explore a moment when you experienced Divine Inspiration. How did you navigate the balance between taking action and patiently waiting for the right timing?
4. Identify areas in your life where you could benefit from a more patient and aligned approach. What steps can you take to incorporate these principles into your decision-making process?
The first Solar Transit of the year, on January 6, guides the sun through GATE 54, known as the GATE of Drive. This celestial journey prompts a profound exploration of ambition and drive, urging individuals to embrace patience and divine timing in their pursuits. GATE 54's energy empowers the mastery of material aspects for spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of rewriting beliefs to view material success as a worthy path to spiritual fulfillment.
NEW PROMPT!!
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though I am afraid my dreams will not come true, I choose to dream big and trust that my dreams will come true. I choose to trust, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
Q + A
Welcome to my exciting monthly feature: Q + A! I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving into your thought-provoking inquiries about Human Design, Astrology, creativity, and Energy Work. Your curiosity fuels my passion for sharing knowledge, and the process of answering your questions continually enriches my own understanding.
Consider this space a welcoming sanctuary for curiosity, self-discovery, and expanding your horizons. Here, you can explore the intricate world of Human Design, Astrology, and Energy Work, and discover how they can profoundly influence your creativity and success as a creative professional. It's a journey of enlightenment and empowerment, and I can't wait to embark on it with you.
Don't hesitate to send your questions my way by simply clicking the button below. I'll be selecting one or two to address in the upcoming first newsletter of each month. Your inquiries drive the conversation, and I'm eager to provide you with insightful answers.
Q: Is Human Design better than the Enneagram?
This questions came in via DM from Instagram, thanks for sending your curiosity my way!
Short answer is, not better but different. The best support and guidance is the one that most resonates with you.
Whether Human Design surpasses the Enneagram in providing guidance is inherently subjective, with the most effective approach being the one that deeply resonates with an individual's unique journey. As I delve into this comparison, it's crucial to underscore that well-being and clarity often results from a combination of various practices over time. Psychotherapy, as emphasized in my previous newsletters, holds a paramount position in this holistic approach. Speaking both as a former clinician and someone who has reaped significant benefits from on and off therapy over the years, I can say that psychotherapy offers a profound understanding that meaningful change begins with introspection and a shift in how we respond to both others and different life situations. In other words, start with therapy. That means EVERYONE. No one is above it, beyond it, or below it. Move some of that trauma. Get some help. Doing it alone is exhausting and like zero fun. If you really want to change, start there. Then add other modalities of support.
The landscape of supportive guidance is vast, offering an array of options that cater to diverse needs. Acupuncture, Yoga, Reiki, Meditation, Somatic work, Astrology, Human Design, Shamanism, Herbalism, the Enneagram – the list is extensive, providing individuals with the agency to choose what resonates and guides them toward the life they desire.
In my professional experience, particularly during my time as a rapid growth consultant for tech startups in the 2010s, the Enneagram often emerged as a valuable tool in the realm of hiring practices. Employed to provide leadership with insights into how new team members might integrate into existing systems, the Enneagram has undoubtedly proven helpful in certain contexts. For those who find resonance and guidance in its principles, it can be a valuable resource.
However, my reservations about the Enneagram stem from its reliance on a self-administered assessment test. Drawing from my background as a former psych researcher, I recognize the inherent limitations of self-administered assessments, often yielding what I term "aspirational results." Participants frequently respond not from their present reality but from an aspirational standpoint, reflecting who they wish to be rather than an accurate portrayal of their current state. Enneagram experts and coaches can help navigate and mediate some of these aspirational tendencies. The process benefits significantly from professional guidance rather than relying solely on online self-administered tests. My suggestion would be if the Enneagram resonates, yes by all means dive in, but do so under the guidance of a professional.
Additionally, a professional will recognize that if all goes well, we change as we age and grow and your Enneagram may too. Knowing the right time to revisit an assessment is really important. It is with guidance that what yields falls under context rather than content. (I wrote an entire essay about the difference between content and context, if you missed it you can read it here).
Ultimately, the quest for self-discovery and well-being is a nuanced journey, and the choice between any modality rests on personal resonance and the desire for a comprehensive understanding of one's path. What I can say for sure is that whatever supportive modality you choose, allow yourself to be in receivership. Do not go it alone. Seek guidance from someone well versed in whatever resonates with you. Seek context, not content. I do not think I answered why I find Human Design such an effective modality, perhaps I'll answer that next time.
Stay tuned for an upcoming Q&A session in a few weeks. Please send in your questions, and feel free to reach out by clicking the button below. I'm eagerly anticipating guiding you further on this fascinating journey!
