In light of recent events it occurs to me that while I stand strong in the core values of Soul Centered Movement, you might not know what they are.  Today I'd like to take some time to share those with you.

What do you think of when you hear the word "vulnerability"?  When you feel vulnerable, do you numb yourself?  Run and hide?  Feel your way through it?  

A couple weeks ago I participated in the Women's March in Chicago.  It was a beautiful, moving, soulful experience for me.  It was inspiring to be surrounded by people who were standing up for beliefs that I hold near and dear to my heart.  It was comforting to see and feel that I am most certainly not alone.  Perhaps, most importantly, I felt myself noticing not just who was there but also who wasn't - and contemplating ways to shift my life to be more inclusive of people who are different than me. 

But, I almost didn't go...

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending two performances. 

On Friday night, I hopped over to Hamlin Park Fieldhouse for the super sold out dance piece  A Place At The Edge Of The World To Call Our Own by RE|Dance Group.  Honestly, I was feeling a bit introverted and hoping I wouldn't run into anyone I knew.  I really wanted to see the piece, but I was hoping for a private experience (well, as private as you can get when you're in an audience with rows and rows of other people.)

From the moment I sat down, I was invited in...

I woke up on January 3rd expecting to feel different.  I had spent the previous week reflecting on my goals for the year and gave myself permission to start after the holiday weekend.  I suppose it was silly to expect that I would pop out of bed, 2 hours earlier and with double the energy as usual and proceed to accomplish all of my goals for the year immediately. 

"Dear Diary, It's January 5 and I've already achieved everything I've set out to do for the year.  Boom!"

Over the past few years, I've taken the few days before and after New Years Day to finish... and to start.  I don't have an exact ritual that's the same every year, it's more like I take stock and take action.   (And I make a list, of course I make a list!  Who doesn't love lists?!)

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a bit carried away...