Over the last month I have been reflecting on the many unexpected ways my life has flowed over the years. The timing may be connected to Songbird moving upstairs right after my birthday as well as the upcoming summer solstice, astrology, and the many natural disasters affecting people’s lives.
As you probably know, Songbird is in the midst of its big transition. We moved our large classroom upstairs over two weeks ago. The store moves on June 4. It’s hard to believe how many transitions I have had over the last 8 years. I opened Songbird and moved it 3 years later after buying and remodeling the building where we are now located. That was the year I put “Moving Experience” on my vision board. That was the feeling I wanted for the year. I didn’t mean it literally! I opened the store 4 years ago and moved it 2 years ago. Now I’m remodeling and moving again. I also moved into a new house 3 years ago, started a relationship 5 years ago, and sent my child to college 4 years ago.
I sometimes long for the innocence of my early childhood. The world was a magical place. I imagined that I could do and be anything I wanted when I grew up. My life was filled with pretend play. While I have returned to some of this through the Toltec path and other activities in my life, it isn’t same as when I was a child.
I didn’t think about fires, floods, and lava. I didn’t think about the nitty gritty of life as an adult: a hyperactive thyroid, transgender child, three long term relationships, two businesses at the same time, moving, remodeling, money… I never expected to turn to the Toltec teachings and the world of personal growth in order to sort out who I am and what I want out of life.
The first part of my life followed a straightforward traditional trajectory: grade school, college, a regular 9-5 job, marriage, house purchase, parenthood. There weren’t as many unknowns or as many choices. Now life is more fluid not just for me, but for everyone I know.Many things in the world that were once static or moving slowly are now shifting rapidly. Besides the obvious like technology, there is more fluidity in gender, sexual preference, moving, jobs, relationships, weather patterns…
My parents lived in the same house in Berkeley for about 50 years. My mom grew up in Oakland. I have spent a little over 1/3 of my life in the East Bay, a little under 1/3 of my life in the South Bay, and almost exactly 1/3 of my life in Sonoma County. Most people I know have moved around much more than this. My parents stayed at the same jobs for most of my childhood through their retirement. I don’t think I know anybody in my generation who has stayed at one job for so long, and many people I know work multiple jobs.
Although life as a whole is more fluid now, I think of this time of year as especially fluid. We are moving into June and the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The increased light gives more energy for creation to flow. Seeds that were planted earlier in the year are starting to grow, bear fruit, and transition into something tangible.
Fluidity is often connected with water, but I also keep thinking about the fluidity of the lava flow from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano. Water washes us what needs to change. Fire burns it away and reminds us that nothing is permanent. The rapidly moving lava feels symbolic to me of how quickly life is changing now.
If you need support with transitions in your life, come check out our many classes, services, and walk—in hours this month along with the gifts at our gift store. Everything we have to offer is here to support your wellbeing.
For our Friday Flock Night this this month, Allan Hardman, my first Toltec teacher comes to talk on Gratitude. Later in the month we have our Solstice Ceremony. Come check our our new upstairs rooms and the gift store downstairs.