Life Doula

Cracked Open: rock bottom. Surrender to the alchemy of life. Don't let the weight density of the world squash your tender Spirit. Instead, let it call even more of it home. Into your body. At the center front of your life. It's through the extreme pressure of life's trials that diamonds are cultivated. It's when things are at their darkest that we cultivate proper faith and our light is ignited. It's through the crumbling that we can allow our wounds to be alchemized. Let your pain, sorrow, and losses make you, not break you. Let life alchemize your tragedies into gold. Be open to being cracked open. Wide open. It's the difficult times that help us grow in leaps and bounds, and in ways we could only dream were possible. But first, they have to crack us open. Sometimes it hurts like hell. It's nature's way. Whether you let it happen or not, it's going to happen, so surrender to the process. It's how the light gets in. When your heart cracks open, a space is created for your soul to more fully enter. When your soul cracks open, a space is created for the grace of the Holy Spirit to enter. Let your trials, your sorrows, your pains, and your losses transform you into more and more of yourself. Stay open to the possibility that your tragedies, your losses, your sorrows, and your hurt happened for you, not to you. Bless the thing that broke you down and cracked you open, because the world needs to open. Surrender to the alchemy of life. From #starseedoracle #oracleoftheday #mentalhealth #crackedopen #rockbottom #surrender #alchemy #perspective #covid19 #quarantine #transformation #trauma #tragedy #acceptance #diamond #oracle #oraclecard #starseed (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_aQLjqJgwm/?igshid=awwbtqrp946x

First time outside! It's a whole new world! #backyardchickens #threeweeksold #babychicks #readtoanimals #reader #kidsreading #beautifulday #mentalheath #quarantine #day37 #covid19 #readstories #itsbright (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_XyPT-pBi0/?igshid=wi8pjp4rnksa

New chicks! My cat has been sitting by their door, waiting for her chance to eat them. 😕 #babychicks #backyardchickens #quarantine #mentalhealth #covid #urbanfarmer #sotiny #socute #cat #plotting (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-fIxeHnRlT/?igshid=fgaxu214qmfc

Chalk art! #quarantine #covıd19 #chalkart #6feetapart #kidart #sidewalkchalkart #stpaul #minnesotanice #community (at Como, Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-N-zzRnB0y/?igshid=gzy10wvkglwe

Thoughts on #coronavirus. This is it. This is our chance - to show our humanity, to rise up as a community, to hold each other in love and support (but only if we’ve washed our hands first, of course). All joking aside, the coronavirus is testing all of the limits we have as humans. Our mental health is being affected by every news story and shrill reporter. Every time another person is “officially” diagnosed, another store runs out of toilet paper or bleach. I completely understand the fear and as a holistic practitioner/bodyworker who works with trauma, I am very familiar with how bodies respond to a lack of community. We are being told to burrow deep in our dens and avoid contact with other people - wash our hands, sneeze or cough into our elbows, and keep everyone at a 6 foot distance. While I agree with all of that logic, I implore you to differentiate between physical distancing and emotional/psychological distancing. We still need each other - now, more than ever. We need to be scared with one another, cry in public spaces, feel angry about the lack of an appropriate response from our government, and talk to our children with a little stability in our cracking voices. My hope at this time is that we can burrow in, rest, and realize the things that are important. Healthcare is a right. Paid leave is a right. Financial assistance is a right. Taking care of ourselves, our families and our communities without fear is a right. Capitalism will try to create a price for safety and security, but we don’t need that kind of answer. We can stock up on food, toiletries and medications, but we don’t need to be alone in our anxieties. There is no price affixed to a friend or stranger who shows up for you and holds space. (cont'd in comments) (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rLwYGnQVR/?igshid=lyaamuqvtyrd

We're clearing out the old to make way for the new! This morning, we created bird habitats and food from old nut butters, dried fruit, cereal and recycling! #recycle #birdhabitat #christmastree #newyear #creator #creativethinking #reuse #birdlover #transformation #reducefoodwaste #2020 #declutter #nofoodwaste (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6yYTZ4nd3Y/?igshid=v657jsf6oc8l

2019 was a beast, so I'm entering 2020 with plenty of hygge and love. #newyearseve #2020 #hygge #cozy #firelight #lifewithpets #rescuecat #rescuedog #happynewyear #selfcare #winterinmn #loveisloveislove (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wsEQEpioX/?igshid=1rfbacpxzul80

Kitty hugs are the best! #fridayvibe #love #catlove #hugsfromcats #mentalhealth #gratitude #petsofinstagram #cinnamon #rescuecat (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B44-C9KFPO-/?igshid=39f8xgx478fb

Vulnerable post (two parts): I’ve spent this past summer questioning all sorts of preconceived ideas in my life. As most people know, my oldest child identifies as gender fluid and I’m so incredibly lucky to have them in my life. This summer, it became increasingly clear that my child’s bravery was the push I needed to reflect on my own identity.  I found myself explaining my child and their identity with a personal tale woven within their narrative. This weaving was about me as a child and how I would have identified as gender fluid if it were a “choice.” In fact, I grew up in rural Minnesota and there wasn’t even language to describe the isolation I felt surrounded by soy, corn and wheat fields. I didn’t fit in, or at least, I felt completely outside the norms of my small town society. I didn’t try to force any sort of reckoning or understanding at that time because life was hard enough already. Instead, I just tucked away the different parts of myself and went on with my life. I found solace in the worlds created by books and escaped my reality whenever I could. Fast forward to this summer. I was finally confronted on this personal narrative while explaining my child’s identity. In my conversation, the man I was talking to highlighted the fact that I “would have” identified as gender fluid, and that I had obviously “grown out of” my identity and surely my child would follow the same path? I can’t explain the depth or complexity of emotion that I felt when I was confronted by this man’s question. At first, I was angry. How could he question my child and their identity? What right did he have to prescribe this path? And then I started to notice this intense emotion from a distance. Why was I feeling so angry? Was this even about my child? In fact, it was all about me. A small voice inside said, “but you didn’t ‘grow out of it,’ you just hid it away, because your world was informed by trauma and fear…and maybe you don’t have to be so afraid anymore. Maybe you can be your authentic, beautiful self, without fear of abandonment.” (at Rocksteady Life) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fC96lFHQs/?igshid=1i1kw8z2kzolq

It was a beautiful day to explore the sacred space of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary! #perfectday #sacredspace #getoutside #kidsinnature #greatoutdoors #nativeland #minnesota #citytrails #fallinmn #autumn #fall #beautifulday #sanctuary #naturalsprings (at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3TFwgQFSX3/?igshid=swma2v96sljf

My mom and I are representing energy work at the National Home Funeral Alliance conference this weekend! #nhfa #energyworkers #reikipractioner #reikimaster #healingtouch #family #rocksteadylife #endoflife #homefunerals #rituals #conference #somaticexperiencing #craniosacral #grief #loss #createrituals #healer #weaver #shapeshifter #storyteller #witch (at Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PdDselnsm/?igshid=nxib2lhwyvez

Reading local literature and looking to the sky! It's all about balance in Libra season! ♎⚖️🌌✨ Astrology for Real Life by Theresa Reed The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus #bookshelf #bookrecommendation #junaudapetrus @junauda #astrology #witch #queerlit #lgbtq #loveislove #pleasureactivism #pleasureactivist #lookup #reallife #dothework #alwayslearning #atrologybytes #minneapolis #localauthor #stars #libra #balance (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3AIItinNE8/?igshid=tzepwrz5xvfn

My little squirrel friend, basking in an autumnal nap. #squirrels #naptime #nappingsquirrel #urbanwildlife #squirrel #adorable #wildlife #officewindow #mondayvibe #autumnequinox #firstdayofautumn (at Rocksteady Life) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2wyhognsMp/?igshid=t6imz97mdlfv

Eight of Earth: Turmeric. "Dedication leads to mastery. Is your commitment strong enough? Put in the time to hone your skills. The longer fabric soaks in the dyebath, the more vibrant and lasting the color. Hard work may sometimes take its toll. It can feel isolating and frustrating. Do it anyway. Turmeric stabilizes the body, increasing vitality and strength. Remember to care for yourself at the root. If you are struggling with diminished self-worth, teach your craft to others. Look for ways to engage the community in your projects. Turmeric medicine survives because it has been passed down through generations. Trust the value of keeping time-honored traditions alive." From the @herbcrafterstarot by @herbmother #herbcrafterstarot #tarotoftheday #turmeric #earth #virgoseason #vitality #strength #rooted #hardwork #community #ancestralknowledge #commitment #doitanyway #lifeishard #selfcare #nourish #rootmedicine #rootchakra #witch #eightofearth (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mdJobHg4o/?igshid=uc3w3beceyso

Butterfly love. #butterfly #monarch #butterflywhisperer #stillsummer #holdabutterfly #love #begentle #butterflychild #kidswithinsects #outdoorkid #getoutside #monarchbutterfly (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kzCH4luI7/?igshid=1bjmulcgzod8l

My kid gets to hang out with a hissing cockroach at their school. I love it!! #schoolpets #hissingcockroach #cockroach #bugs #reggioschool #naturekid #science #outdooreducation #bugsarecool #insects (at St. Paul School of Northern Lights) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kyR5BlpD1/?igshid=16vcxst5bbtcl