Goddesses Share Their Secrets…

What is success to you?
I measure my success in relatively simple terms. It’s not an ultimate goal, but a work in progress. It’s less about money or to do lists and more about my ability find a healthy balance between work and life. It’s about living my life in a way that is true to me, but not one necessarily defined by societies standards. As long as my basic needs are met and I am able to make space in a busy day for nature, for a bit of quiet, a bit of connection and creation…I’ve had success. Of course, some days are more successful that others, but I’d like to think I can find a sliver of success in most of them. When I’m learning, growing, loving…I’m working my way toward living my own definition of success.

What is magic for you?
I’d say I find a bit of magic everyday. Today, I watched a fox hunting among the snow drifts covering my back yard. I felt the magic there, in that dance, in the little creature’s lithe movements. I see magic all the time in wild places and open spaces…in the creatures that inhabit them…In sunrises and sunsets. In high mountain lakes, glacial fed streams, flush with clean water, healthy fish and in tact ecosystems. I see it both in the grandiose…and in the diminutive, too. In the shapes of leaves and the change of seasons. I’d venture that you really don’t have to look very far to find a little magic in the everyday.

What is love for you?
This is a tough one for me to articulate…but, here goes…Love is the ability to let go, to be yourself, in your glory, in your grace…as well as in your darkness. And to let another person find that safety, in you too. And in the knowledge of both the dark and the light, to go right on loving just the same. The ability to both see and accept flaws, idiosyncrasies, and insecurities. And the desire to ease them…to feel that drive to help, to ease another’s journey, to make them whole. The ability to feel pain when the are wounded, and find true joy in their successes. To love is to truly want the best for another…enough that you are willing to work for it, to fight and to sacrifice for it, for them. For love.

What is your beauty health practice?
Sunshine, a good sweat, plenty of time spent outside…and a good moisturizer! Healthy clean foods, plenty of water…and a little nip of whiskey for good measure.

What makes your spirit glow?
A walk in the woods, rain or shine. An alpine lake baptism. Travel. Climbing…and creating…always creating. Those sacred times in life when you have the freedom of time, when you rise and settle with the cycle of the sun. Right now I’m picturing red rock walls, sandstone, and full day of climbing and exploring under a desert sun. A little tent on a bluff to call home for a spell, and a solid string of blissful nights sleep. When you’ve exhausted your body in a beautiful place…that full body relaxed that comes with it. Peace. I swear, on days like that I can actually feel myself glow.

How do you stay centered in the middle of chaos?
This is something that I work on all the time. It’s so much easier to stay calm and centered when all is well. But, it’s those times when you’re smack dab in middle of the shit storm that it’s so important to root down, to continue to cultivate that sense of stillness. For me, it’s simple things…forcing myself to breath mindfully, to remember to seek and hold on to the good. It’s a reoccurring theme for me…but time spent in solitude…in nature, always does the trick. Fresh air, fresh perspective, and a good sweat. Gentle reminders of the good.

What causes/organizations are you passionate about?
Gah~ there are so many! But I’d say, it’s always the environment for me. I truly believe it’s crucial to everything, to everyone, everywhere. Quality of life. Clean water, clean air, sustainability and making sure that people both have access to these resources, as well as the desire to preserve them for future generations. If you could say one thing to the world what would you say?We’ve only got one. One earth…one home to house us all. So be kind. Be compassionate. Both to one another, to the planet….and to creatures great and small.