Once upon a summer, about 50 years ago, we had a special night at Camp. It was the last night of the season and the week had been rough. Some big storms. And some big cats! A broken arm. Nightmares. And a young teen I’ll never forget.
It was my first year as a Senior Counselor. She was one of my campers. I found her, sobbing, in the bathroom.
I don’t want to go home, she wailed. Nobody sees me, there.
I did the only thing I knew, back then. I sat down beside her, on the concrete floor, and said, I see you. And I’ll listen if you’d like to say more.
It turned out that her first moon time had begun and she was scared. Embarrassed. And in pain. I ducked out long enough to raid the infirmary, and to borrow a spare Junior Counselor from next door to hang with the rest of my kids so she and I could talk.
When she told me that she was afraid of asking for what she needed, I got chills. The I can relate kind. We talked about different kinds of brave.
I’ve been thinking about brave a good bit, lately. My paintings, who apparently read the news, all seem to feel like it’s a good time for a whole lot of brave.
Given the one who insisted on joining us, I’d say they’re also in favor of healing!
She hangs on the wall, near my chair and whispers about mystery. She was a mystery when she appeared as an elephant on an #Apothecary journey, embodying wisdom, strength, and compassion. And she’s one of the first ones that appeared on her own and waited patiently for me to figure out why she was there! (It’s big fun!)
A whole lot of prayer dots. A myrrh-bearer’s jar. A still-mysterious being on her forehead, with a blessing, I think. And, the #Filters profile image you might glimpse above her head. All of which is huge medicine in our world.
Here’s a better glimpse…

I think she also brought us a quote for this moment. Well, technically, it came from the movie, Princess Diary and it goes like this:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear.
What is more important, for you, than fear???
I have several things on my list, just now! One of them is actually publishing my deck of Wisdom Cards! (Stay tuned!) They’re all about things that are more important than fear!
ps… I have no clue – yet – about what’s in the top right corner! I do know it will speak when I’m ready!
pps… Want help along the way to the place that’s more important, for you, than fear??? Individualized, personalized help??? I have a very special package offer to make. Now. The next move is yours. Just click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 minutes. My gift. You tell me (and yourself!) about that place where you feel called. We’ll name a next right thing. And talk about working together… Oh! Bring a cuppa, something to write on & with, some Red Thread if it’s handy, and one visual representation of your journey. A photo. A crystal. A word on a scrap of paper. An old piece of jewelry. I’ll bring 30 years of coaching experience, a huge soup pot full of strategies, and absolute conviction that now is the time! Wondrous things are possible when we open the door in the back of the wardrobe!
