“To be your own shaman, you must be responsible for recognizing and nurturing the needs of your soul. This entails honoring and connecting with your soul-self and honoring and following your soul path. When you take good care of your soul, the energy of your soul is readily available for health, happiness, well-being, living your life fully, and pursuing personal growth and spiritual evolution.” Colleen Deatsman and Paul Bowersox – Seeing in the Dark
At some point on the path that now trails behind me, not too distant, I reached a place inside, a level of growth that insisted I not compromise my still-forming vision – unless I was forced to do so by some crazy emergency situation. So far, so good. At times it has seemed inevitable, that compromise and capitulation to some hefty life challenges, but there have been plenty of last minute reprieves. Soon, I’m convinced that even the haunt of last-minute, almost-had-to-give-upness will be gone.
But in the meantime, one thing I cannot compromise is what I do for a living and how. And even where. I prefer from the home so I can be here when my kids get home. I insist on working with people who are committed to personal growth and transformation, to creativity and generosity. A spiritual, soulful focus is a must. And so it is, and a wealth of opportunity, growth and challenge. How do we get here? To this point of no-return? By insisting on getting real, staying real and allowing radical grace to erase the old programs of automaton, rigid conformity to norms and status quo, by embracing a path of growth, of awareness, and of authenticity, releasing control and fear.
It’s not easy. I’ve not “arrived” but I feel a kinship with all things transformed and transforming and what a feast this life has become, even at the worst moments. It’s all good…
J. Ruth Kelly 
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