adventures in love

I slipped out early. Again. I know, I know I said I wouldn’t. But sheesh!

My bladder was in danger of exploding.

My stomach was growling, demanding sustenance.

And my head ached as the afternoon slipped into evening.

The class was already running 15 minutes over the end time. I was ok to stay until 7pm (at least that’s what I kept telling myself, trying to ignore the time zone change). But every minute past the hour sent my already tired brain into spasms.

So technically I didn’t leave early. The workshop just wasn’t over quite yet. I’m sure that counts somewhere in the universe. Right?

Deep Learning

As an instructor, teacher, and presenter Robert Ohotto is off the charts. As the day wore on, his energy never wavered. And that’s saying a lot. Especially since I was tapped and could barely remember my name by the time 7 rolled around. As an experienced facilitator, I know the effort it takes to be ‘on’ all day (and into the evening) and I’m impressed with his mad skills.

This was the first full day of instruction and, boy, was it full.

A few of today’s take aways:

• We are all here to learn. What that is can be different for everyone.
• The way I language things is different than how others might language things. I’m going to say that’s ok.

• Sidebar conversations are sometimes more insightful than the crafted agenda.
• The restaurant kitchen uses latex gloves, as I learned the hard way. Benadryl is my friend.
• I am still not a night owl.

Archetypes showing up for me:

We all filed into the conference room, randomly selecting sears, where we we were then greeted with an archetype card lying face down on the table. Robert explained that this archetype would be with us over the course of the workshop as one of our guides. I turned my card over.

Alchemist

Light attribute:

Transformation of base motives and goals into golden wisdom.

Shadow attribute:

Misuse of the power and knowledge that comes through spiritual practice.

My seat mate leaned over and whispered she had just been contemplating the alchemist yesterday. I nodded, not telling her that I had never given this archetype any thought at all… until now as it stared up at me, showing off wearing a muddy orange robe, mixing up concoctions in watery, blue bottles.

I silently repeated the attributes and thought about my very lofty and pie in the sky goal, “health, wealth, love and perfect self expression” knowing that this card, the alchemist, is asking me to get real. To break it down to very basic motives. Only then can I transform them.

Ouch.

“Seek wisdom,” echoes from a book I had just read the night before lingers in my mind as “I repeat the words on the card “golden wisdom.”

The day moves on. But the message stuck. I’m hear to learn. To find wisdom beyond my basic understanding so I can shift into new potential.

What that looks like, I’m not sure yet. I’m getting closer after working through some homework.

I’ll let you know tomorrow how it goes.

Sending you love and happiness. ❤️