Life is in motion. It has always been in motion. But perhaps you too feel the pace of change accelerating. Perhaps you too are trying to find your balance in the tumult of pain and joy and mounting uncertainty.
Last November, after about 5 years living in the small city of Bellingham, followed by a year managing a 50-acre retreat center (20 minutes from the nearest rural town), Stephen and I returned to the greatly expanded metropolis of Seattle. We anticipated a big dose of culture shock, but actually looked forward to our “city retreat.” We looked forward to two months dedicated to catching our breath and finding our bearings, after an extended period of destabilizing change and uncertainty.
Our time living and working at Cedar Springs had often been magical. It was also intensely challenging and wildly unpredictable. We took on the experiment with the hope we might cultivate a cohort of people to buy and run it together. We imagined it might become a place for humans to live and work with each other, and the land, in collaborative and generative ways.
Our time in the country did not go as anticipated. Nor has our return to the city. No matter our location, the pace of change continues to increase. Life’s magical mystery tour keeps yielding steep highs and lows…and I’ve fallen down a lot.
In hindsight, I can see that some wise part of me knew this was coming. In the midst of our move from the country to the city, I invited some friends to join me in an online dance practice to help us all move with the energies of big change, so that they don’t pummel us or get stuck in our bodies.
This was something I needed. I figured that if I needed it, others probably did too.
For the last 18 weeks, a small group of us have met on Zoom twice a week for what I’ve affectionately dubbed The Morning Shift. We are practicing self-care—in the form of music, movement, and heart centered community.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I marvel at the medicine in our gathering. The music itself is nourishing. The act of dancing is curative. The intimacy of our brief check-ins and check-outs is potent. Even if we don’t look at the screen while we are dancing, the presence of others is balm for the soul.
These elements together are simple, yet powerfully restorative…and easy to access.
I’m sharing part of the medicine with you here, in the form of this week’s playlist. If you’re curious, there are details at this link. If you feel inspired to try it out, we welcome you to join us…there is goodness here that is worth sharing.
~ Helen
🔥👀🙏⏳🤔