When adults described me as a child, they'd call me a social butterfly, someone who gets along with everyone and is always in the middle of the crowd. If you were watching footage of my life, you'd likely see a lot of that. Internally though, it was sometimes a heavy lift to make sure I fit in and that everyone else felt like they belonged when they were around me. I did a lot of masking and hyper-focusing on the trends of the group to make sure that we all went with the same flow. My authenticity took a big hit, and I worked overtime to maintain a façade, one strong enough that even I'd believe it. Early into adulthood, healing from the things that made me focus on fitting in as survival was a necessary step. I shed a lot of performance. Piece by piece, I uncovered my true preferences, my innate skills, and the kind of flow that worked for who I really am. In that, I was able to be there for a community that gathered naturally rather than by performance, and we could tend to each other in a way that served us all rather than being a heavy burden or a drain on any of us. |  | When I gather people together now, I focus more on who someone really is, even supporting in the process of peeling back layers where needed, rather than controlling how they might fit. Of course, some of the old habits arise when fear does, but being in relationship with that part has become a beautiful thing. I am so grateful for this foundation of community building that is so woven into the fabric of who I am as we have found ourselves deeply in need of connection and community as a world culture. Whether it be the replacement of togetherness with fast-connections on social media or the decidedly intentional divisiveness of social and political issues that beg us to put each other in opposing boxes with no hope, nuance that allows us to stay true to ourselves while also holding our beliefs with open hands is critical. We must remember that we belong to each other. |  | I've developed many community spaces that I'd love for you to consider trying out! Tea Time with Mel always has a free option, and this month's theme is actually Community Care, so if you've got tips, shares on how you care for your community, questions, or brainstorms on the topic, it would be great to have you!
Dream Club is another that was a great success, so we are launching our second cohort on Monday! Take a look and either sign up or send me a message for payment plan options or questions.
The Intuitive Facilitator is a program in the works that will launch this fall; a certification process with a deep community element. This is for leaders who facilitate transformative conversations who would benefit from deepening in their intuitive approach to not only make a greater difference with their participants but also leverage inner knowing to make leading a lighter lift. We are in the process of applying for ICF CCEs for coaches specifically which will add significantly to your credential renewals. This is open to all facilitators, though! Send a message to be the first to hear about it when dates are set!
Grief Group is under construction as we've found with a few months testing this as a monthly hour-long offering that people would benefit more from a longer workshop-model gathering, so look out for that, and send a message if you're interested in joining once that's set as well! |  | Know that no matter how the winds blow, we are connected to each other, and we can remember and remind through being of service in the small ways we know how. And as we all know from the way our hearts fill up from serving others, receiving from your community is a big way to strengthen it as well. So, for all my givers, challenge yourself to let some support in as your own act of resistance, your own act of love. | | |  | | |  | | |
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