Gratitude for Sisterhood

Recently I was reflecting on the  incredible group of women who've come into my life over the past few years. It's been an eye-opening journey with them—finding people who get the real, raw version of me (as I learn to share this version), who aren't looking for perfection but for authenticity. These women, like me, are seekers of this authenticity, of our inner divinity, and sacredness, and are also embarking on a journey that has unfolded in the most unexpected and profound ways. This circle of women is, I believe, something we all long for deep down. Willing to go deep, sharing their true selves, and not just skimming the surface of this human experience. This is a narrative of transformation, of finding a sanctuary within the sisterhood that nurtures our collective spirit.

At the heart of this connection is the recognition of our shared imperfections. Over time, a sense of safety has emerged so that we actually begin to reveal these so-called imperfections. There's a profound understanding that our flaws are not blemishes but rather marks of our unique journeys. These women have taught me the beauty of going deeper, of embracing the stories that pulse within our veins—stories we once believed were ours alone, that kept us isolated and disconnected. Yet, in sharing them, we discover they are universal, a mirror reflecting our collective struggles and triumphs in the lineage of women. More and more, women are feeling this energy crying out for recognition and acknowledgement.

Reflecting on these connections has made me realize how important this nurturing, feminine energy has become in my life. It's showing up in ways I never expected, opening my heart and soul to new possibilities. It's a reminder that not everyone might be ready for this kind of connection, but for those who are, it's transformative. We find solace in shared experiences, in the strength drawn from vulnerability, and in the courage to voice the unspoken.

Photo Credit to Anna Schvets

I think about the pain and struggles of the world quite a bit. It can feel really heavy and I need to self impose restrictions on my exposure to what is happening out there. However, the trials of our human experience, as I've come to realize, are not solitary burdens but part of a larger, sacred mandala, just as we have our own individual mandala of experiences. All of our experiences are part of this journey, yet it is the most challenging, the ones that bend or break us, that serve as the most potent portals of awakening.  Each joy, each sorrow, is a thread in the intricate weave of our collective consciousness, leading us to portals of understanding, love, and trust.  I am reminded of my privilege and the warmth that surrounds me—a constant nudge towards gratitude and the responsibility to extend this healing beyond myself. Because I can, I must.

It seems then, our work is to gather, to support, to learn and to share within a sacred circle. It's a call to love fiercely, to tell our stories with the rawness they deserve, for in doing so, we pave the way for others to tread this path of awakening. This journey is not solitary; it's a collective march towards a future where the divine feminine leads, where vulnerability is not a weakness but a bridge to deeper connection and understanding. We need each other. I did not know how much this existed within me.

I had a recent connection with a dear friend that reminded me of the power of vulnerability. It was a realization that the roots of my past challenges with openness stem from deeper wounds—the sister wound, the mother wound—scars that have long influenced my ability to form intimate connections. Yet, in the safety of sisterhood, I am finding healing, a space where judgment dissolves and genuine connection flourishes.

I’ll end by sharing a quote from Clarissa Pinkola Estes (Women Who Run With the Wolves):

“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. Though the gifts of the wildish nature come to us at birth, society’s attempt to “civilize” us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls.”

In order for us to feel safe enough for our wildness and our gifts to re-emerge, to remember our soul calling, to reconnect with our power, to trust our inner knowing,  we need our sisters in circle. I’m so here for it.