I hope today finds you well and at ease in your life.
It's true. The last email you received from me was sent in April 2023. Throughout that period, I received many emails from people saying, "Where are you?" "Are you OK?" Some were even kind enough to say, "I miss you and your emails." I am ever-grateful for the love of kindred spirits!
I'm fine. In fact, I am better than fine. I feel more like myself than I've ever felt before. Why? Because I'm listening to my deep heart and following its lead. I'm following the breadcrumbs that the Holy
Ones have laid out for me.
In the past year:
• I allowed myself a dive into grief to experience its healing power
• I turned 70 and experienced the reality of my own mortality
• I got in touch with my deepest truth and how I want to spend my time
• I walked the beach often and talked to the Holy Ones
• I loved large, played with my family and celebrated the birth of my 3rd grandson
• I recommitted to my health and well-being
• I retired from The Spiritual Guidance Training Institute
• I
learned to live more and more each day in impermanence, joy and gratitude
As I read through this list, I am struck anew with appreciation and awe. How is it that if we are open and willing, ready to receive and surrender what no longer serves, we are given exactly what we need?
I wish the same for you, my friend, and hope that you, too, are listening to your deep heart today, trusting what you hear, and taking gentle steps toward living as your truest self.
With gratitude and metta
(loving-kindness),
Jan
Consider Joining Me for This Upcoming Event:
A Mid-Winter, Spiritual Direction Retreat for Women
Aging doesn't have to be a time of diminishment as our culture presupposes. It can be a time of deepening and expansion; of claiming our elder wisdom and bringing it to the world for healing and hope.
Aging can host its challenges—among them loss and grief. But it can also bring forth ripened fruits of the Spirit: • Insight • Appreciation •
Joy • Connection • Courage and faith • Delight in the present moment • Loving wholeheartedly • Humor, perspective and fun!
On Saturday, Feb. 24, I will meet you in sacred community to explore the spiritual invitations of aging. We will trust what Spirit has in store for us as we willingly look deeper into our hearts and minds to
transform what it means to age gracefully and gratefully. I'm delighted we will be coming together!
An online learning opportunity in
community via Zoom
Grief changes and transforms us. Our lives are never the same once we have lost someone or something precious to us. Our journey of loss and pain is made easier with the presence of one who
genuinely cares, listens deeply, and holds space for healing to happen. One whose compassion is boundless, whose listening never tires, whose companionship is loyal and true. Being listened to and cared for in this way is an act of love--the greatest gift of all.
You may know the great value of having an empathetic guide to walk with you on your life's path. When grief and loss are involved, companionship becomes even more important. It is easy for someone to get lost in the wilderness of grief; to feel alone, misunderstood, even crazy, especially in a culture which does not normalize grief, nor truly understands its scope and purpose. A spiritual guide or companion with specialized training in grief and bereavement can be of the highest service to someone in mourning.
Have you ever felt a call to companion others in their time of loss?
Perhaps you are ready to become a Certified Grief Companion.
