Dear Friends,
I welcome you here with love, with whatever you’re feeling and holding. Take a deep breath. Let’s step together into the energy of landscape, light and possibility.
I had a radiant experience this week.
My son George, who is 20, graduated from his school program. He’s legally entitled through disability education law to attend school through age 21 and he’ll continue with summer school, but because he turns 21 in January, this was his chance to walk in the ceremony. I’m starting the arduous process of looking for his adult educational program now, so I didn’t think this ceremony would move me in the way that it did.
I was wrong.
We’ve all been to various graduations; some feature inspiring speakers, some are pretty boring and way too long. We remember our own graduation ceremonies and the complex feelings they can evoke—the anvil of accomplishment and anxiety.
This one was different.
At George’s school, the students have identified intellectual, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. This graduation was an authentic celebration of how much each of them has grown in their time in the program.
A moment to illustrate: the young woman who was selected to sing the national anthem at the start of graduation experienced intense anxiety after she quietly sang the first bar. She stopped singing and the teacher who companied her onstage offered encouragement. The young woman took a deep breath and tried again, but needed to stop. She covered her face with her hands. The audience waited. Another teacher called out encouragement. The energy coming from all of us in the seats was full of support. She took a deep breath again, held her teacher’s hand and sang the anthem beautifully.
Had she needed to sit down and not sing that day, it would have been fine, too.
In this ceremony, there was no pretense about being somewhere other than were we are. It was a pure celebration of each graduates strengths and vulnerabilities.
I felt an incredible radiant energy shared in that auditorium among the parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, therapists honoring the graduates for how they’ve grown—but more importantly, for the beauty of their being. I could feel the pure love and pride of my ancestors—George’s grandparents and great-grandparents cheering him on from across the veil. It was a breathtaking afternoon.
What kind of radiant world could we create if we showed up everywhere as we are in that moment, without feeling a pressure to be more than that? Celebrating one another as divine, holy, complex, messy, beautiful beings.
In this week’s writing prompt, we’ll imagine that world.
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Think about a time, place or moment in your life where you were celebrated for being exactly as you are.
It could be a moment that happened this week or an experience from some time ago that you remember.
It could be in a classroom or work setting or in a friendship or relationship. It could be a private moment or the way you feel seen by the Divine Presence.
Describe the circumstances and the feelings that come up as you recall this kind of celebration.
Some phrases to get you started:
A moment when I knew that I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone was when…
With (this person/place/community), I can show up exactly as I am…
When I am (place/circumstance), I am safe to show my struggles and vulnerabilities…
I would love to receive your experiences—please send them my way! Please share responses as a comment or email them to me at gabriellekm@gmail.com
Deepening Practice:
In our culture, we ‘graduate’ from formal programs. Imagine if there were ceremonies to mark all of the internal and external milestones that we humans go through!
Make a list of life transitions from your life journey that you could celebrate. For example:
Making it through a move, an illness or another life upheaval
Removing yourself from people/circumstances that drain your energy
Breaking out of an old pattern that no longer serves you
Creating time in your life for joy and fun
Navigating a complicated or difficult situation
Write a graduation speech celebrating your milestone. It doesn’t need to be long or formal; share about what you learned. Or you could find a quote or song lyric to represent this accomplishment.
Notice your energy as you acknowledge this graduation!
Thank you for reading! Word of mouth is the way that I’m growing a community; sending to a friend who may enjoy reading is golden. Check out summer opportunities for creativity & growth below!
***
I’m bursting with excitement to share this new 4-week journey with you!
Writing With The Seasons: Summer Signs & Symbols is a space to explore summer’s metaphors and to express what it means to shine our light & know our shadows.
Info and registration here. All sessions are recorded for your convenience.
***
Let’s celebrate the summer solstice together!
On June 21st, I'm offering a Summer Solstice Circle. If you are a paid subscriber to Journey With The Seasons, you will receive a complimentary link and don't need to register.
If you'd like to join the circle, you can upgrade your subscription or register here for this session.
For friends in the Greater Philadelphia area, check out this in person new moon writing circle on June 20th.