I have lived a long rich life of privilege. I am a mother, grandmother, partner, friend, colleague, teacher, designer, coach, consultant, scholar, executive, facilitator, artist, writer, environmentalist, integralist, world traveller… I am grateful every day for my many blessings. If you’re interested in more specifics, you can find a resume here.
My mother was an artist. She painted and taught women how to paint most of her adult life. Although I didn’t credit her at the time, she left me a legacy of artistic ways of knowing that has served me all my life. I have included here some of my art, stepping to the edge of my comfort to integrate this Discarded Other, the creative feminine side of me, into my journeys.
My purpose now in encouraging the journey to wholeness is based on both my own Dark Night experience of an imbalance of the masculine over the feminine, and my observation of a similar Dark Night imbalance in the world. I believe that by accomplishing the harrowing Dark Night passage as individuals, we gain the capacity to contribute our leadership to the collective global issues that confront us from a more holistic maturity, seeing through the apparent contradictions.
How does the Dark Night of the world impact you? How might you provide leadership for the sake of the whole?
We cannot do this alone. I have often said that I have never accomplished anything important on my own. I have been very fortunate to have a group of family, friends and colleagues who have supported and inspired me every step of the way as I have struggled with my own leadership.
My family has consistently championed my endeavours, even though it has taken me away from them. I have had mentors who have trusted me and given me room to grow and shine. I have had business partners and teaching partners who have generously filled in the gaps in my competence and encouraged me to unearth my potential. And I have had circles of friends who have shown up, time and again, to take part in my many experiments and adventures. They are all vivid in my heart and my gratitude is immeasurable.
For more on my fellow travellers.