Art above by me:)

 This week I was feeling slightly flummoxed as I sit down to write to you, “What can I share with you that will HELP?”, I asked myself.  So, I went to visit an old friend Charlotte, a spirit in spider form, who has helped me so many times in planning classes, writing books and so much more.  She makes me think of E.B. White’s brilliant words, “

“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”

― E.B. White,
Charlotte’s Web

When I went to visit Charlotte, she told me to share with you that:
…each one of you has absolutely everything  you need to step forward in the work you came here to do.  All you need is other people….to help.  Community!

I hope that helps.  There is so much painful stuff happening al at once.  And so much beauty too. Sometimes it can be difficult to hang in there.

2. NETFLIX Breaks Can Be Restorative.  I found a good show when I needed it badly on Saturday.   “Four Seasons” written by Tina Fey is now on Netflix.  It took some time to warm too-maybe it was Tina’s character that reminded me too much of “past Sarah circa 2010”? OOf she’s touugh!
I found myself deeply relating to the conflicts and experiences as it went on.  It’s about friendship and relationships/partners.

3.  Aging Is Experienced Differently By Each of Us.  We dove into aging and what it’s like (for me) to be 57 years of age on my coaching colleague Tam and Kym’s new podcast “AgeFULLness”.  I think getting older is exciting as I really start to feel like I am more clear on what matters.  LIsten to the full interview here at Spotify. 
Or find it wherever you listen!

4.  Longing to Enter a Ceremony? I’ve been feeling like its time to “get ready” but for what exactly it is – I am not sure!  When I stumbled into Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes (author of Women who Run with the Wolves) invitation to PRAY on Facebook, I got excited.  She’s starting a 9 day “Novena” (9 nights of prayers) where she takes us through a process of praying to become “Battle Angels” in this extremely dark moment in American History. (it is paused at the moment waiting for a few folks to catch up…so it’s a perfect time for you to join!)    Heres a link to her very first post invitation in case you are feeling the call.  

Dr. Estes is a masterful Curandera and storyteller. Her audio books on Sounds True are all treasures.  One prompt stood out and really had me considering my life….and I thought you might like to use it for journaling.  I found it so powerful.

Here is the prompt below. I hope you join with me and others for the ceremony! Doing this helped me feel more prepared for what is to come….

I [your full name and the names of your kin as you wish]

–gently and boldly annul any agreement I ever made consciously or unconsciously to go toward fleeting pleasure[s] that landed me in the grips of hell

Name the pleasures fleeting.

———-

———-

———-

Name [descriptions] the hells one was trapped in.

———–

———–

———–

My personal Hells:

There are many!:) One of my many past hells was the pursuit of a “perfect” house- one that was exquisite in every way.  I am grateful for that experience/that “HELL” taught me that houses may come and go but freedom, for me is the only thing worth fighting for/pursuing.

One line that I remember SO clearly from my 12 step days in OA (which comes from the BIg Book of Alcoholics) and two years I spent attending AlAnon meetings regularly was this one,

“The idea that somehow, someday she will control and enjoy her [FLEETING PLEASURE] is the great obsession of every [addict].
The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.
Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.”
– Big Book of A.A. Chapter 3

At the time I joined OA (and attended meetings for ?2 years), I was so tired of eating excess food in order to try to find “happiness”.  That was the hell of constant dieting and quitting my diet.  Not accepting myself as I was.

Other hells of mine arose from:

Pursuing the “simple pleasure” or idea idea that I would be able to FEEL GOOD by….

-by eating a 3 more pieces of peanut butter on toast
-to stay just a few more days with the college boyfriend I knew did NOT have my best interest at heart
-by drinking THC water (or alcohol) to feel better about the world/life…it was fun but then hellcame later when I realized I said something or acted in a way that was not in integrity with me)
-by getting breast implants (read all about it in my memoir “Swimming with Elephants”)
– by trying to be perfectly “spiritual or good” – in a moral sense
-by “manifesting” a certain amount of money in the bank
-by becoming a NYT Best selling author
-by becoming a “successful” entepreneur artist/mother/you name it.

All these alleged “pleaures” I have pursued have also been teachers. HAve made me STRONGER.

What is on your list of fleeting pleasures (a substance/an expereince/a person/a goal/a number/a possession) that you pursued all the way to hell?

What was each particular hell and what did that look like for you? 

I LOVE Dr. E’s invitation to annul our agreement with these fleeting pleasures.

I get excited thinking about the energy we could all reclaim and the depth we could foster in our lives.

5. Silence is Golden.  Each time that I am wise enough to wield silence I’m amazed at the results.  Silence and withdrawal can be extremely powerful (and I don’t mean giving the silent treatment).  When you stop being emotionally available to everyone, everything changes. This video explores Carl Jung’s deep insights on energy, boundaries, and psychological power — and how choosing silence can transform your life.

Are you ready to make the shifts in your life that you say you want and could use a guide?  You can learn how to work with me and book here.  I love working one on one with individuals to help them make the transformations they are longing to make!

I have now opened up some more Tuesdays! .

with much love,

Sarah

P.S.  Many of us put creativity off, but creativity is too delicious, too holy, too magnificent, and too dang YEEHAW-generating to be put on hold.

To quote Elizabeth Gilbert, “A creative life is an AMPLIFIED LIFE. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.”

Getting started is often the most difficult part, but once you’re in the creative flow:

You discover the extreme delight of really liking what you’re working on.

You also learn that not everything will turn out perfect, and that’s FINE!

You become happier and more energized.

You let go of the illusion of ‘finding the right time.’

You no longer dwell on, ‘Why me? Who cares? What’s the point?’
Instead, you sit with the question, ‘Who will I become if I pursue this?’

You understand that your ideas come to you for a reason, and you grow your ability to collaborate with your muse/the divine/the Universe/magic/creative forces.
LEARN MORE HERE.

I have a piece NOW at Gender Joy Art Show that is going on at Zeitgest now (May 2-31).  I’ll be at the CLOSING reception!   The show is amazing- so many fabulous and interesting works to admire!

“When She Allowed Pleasure In, Everything Began to Thrive”
 collage + acrylic + oil pastel, will be at:

The April Showers, May Flowers show:
a collaborative exhibition between
the Nordic Center & PrOve Collective gallery
featuring many local artists!!
Show Dates: April 11 – May 31, 2025.

PROVE IS OPEN Friday 4- 7pm and Saturday 12- 4 pm

23 North Lake Ave, Duluth, MN.

To purchase this piece (shipping is free in continental US, or see detail- visit HERE. 
30% of proceeds go to @provecollective

Due to unforseen circumstances, we had to cancel this event!  

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