Shortly this website will be down for a redo.  Seemed like as good a time as any especially since I am not writing regularly right now.

So if it all disappears, never fear, I shall return (don’t I always!).

Today I was reviewing one of my larger art journals – more art than journal but enough journal to see where I’ve been and how I’ve progressed toward dreams.  the news is very very good:  I’m making huge steps and in directions not originally anticipated (that is nothing new – I’ve learned not to anticipate in my life.  Much better to be open).

I went back to a Tarot spread I did for myself at the end of December, after I though I had things nailed down at my regular paying job and before I walked out of that same job.

It was absolutely prescient in hindsight.  Mostly things are but not necessarily things like Tarot spreads.  I love it when it works that way.  I can deal with a lot a work:  difficult peers being the one I thought would get me.  But it didn’t.  It was the one with the lesson I sort of felt so stuck it out.  What blindsided me was nondisclosure: i.e., that for a part-time job I would have to make all of my finances and that of any of my family who deals with the state – as does my daughter as a teacher – available to the Ethics Commission and to the public because I might have some contact with funders.  And the kicker?  That obligation remains even though I quit the job.  Mind you, the organization was supposed to report the job witinh 60 days of hire, and didn’t for 13 months and I didn’t hear anything about any of it until almost 1.5 years into the job.  I checked with HR and found  I signed no agreement to disclose and asked if I had been told verbally – no.  They don’t do that.  The final killer?  No penalties accrue to the organization.  They all accrue to me if I am disinclined (even tho I quit) to go along.  That is an ongoing decision I need to make.

Meanwhile, real estate moguldom which i have been claiming out loud for a little over a year, seems to have taken front and center.  I am now studying to be a real estate agent, as much to learn about the complexities (as if buying houses hasn’t shown me a lot of them…I used to think it was bad luck but apparently each transaction is it’s own little slice of adventure) of buying and selling and financing as to sell houses – but I’m thinking I’m going to love it.  And I’m learning that everything shows up and stays for as long as it is supposed to.  To hang on to anything longer than it is supposed to be in your life never every turns out well.  Ok, Universe, I think I’ve got this one!

Meanwhile, I’ve discovered some very good reading, about which I’ve already written recently, and today’s blog is to share some more words from Living Deeply:  The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life.  The more I pay attention to transition and transformation, the more I realize how important community is, and that is captured well here:

When we asked our teachers how to integrate transformative realizations into everyday life and long-term shifts in ways of being, the most common response we received was to connect with a like-minded community.  In fact, many teachers said that finding a like-minded community with whom you can share our transformative process is essential.  Having people in your life who support your metamorphosis can help fortify the results ….Moreover, your community can serve both as a crucible for your transformation and as a sanctuary for exploring new ideas and insights…

…much benefit can come from practice done in synchrony with others.  This doesn’t require actually living in a monastery or other spiritual community.  having a group of like-minded peers that you trust can help you calibrate your experiences….[and] may actually even allow you to learn more from the transformative process.

…These elements can all be great criteria for choosing who you want to support you on your transformative journey.  Look for a like-minded community consisting of people in a range of developmental levels; a community with guides who don’t just hand out solutions but help you discover them for yourself, and leaders who don’t dominate all interactions; a community where those who are learning are also given the opportunity to teach.

I write about this a lot (  here, here, and here for a few)  because we need hand-holding and to hold hands at different parts of our journey and that it more easily done in community.

Where do you find community?  Who is in your tribe?  Share in the comments below.