There is a reckoning that comes with getting older. It lies in the balance between honoring the past while acknowledging that change is necessary. I am not the person I was five, ten, twenty years ago, and because of this I need different things for my well-being. As time passes, my priorities have shifted and my work keeps evolving. In many ways, I have been outward facing — teaching, being an entrepreneur, making films and collaborating with a team, presenting at conferences and events. Lately, I've been doing a lot of networking as I land in a new community. I show up for interviews as a guest on podcasts, and continue to share my work at organizations.

AND — I need a whole lot of downtime. These days this need is increasing. In this downtime some of what I've been doing is writing; reflecting on my life/art/work experiences over time. I have been profoundly struck by the amount of life stories that have shaped me over my 56 years of age.

This writing has encouraged me to look more closely at the path I have traveled to discern what no longer serves me, and to listen more closely to what I want to open up to in this new chapter. This process comes out of the desire to integrate what I have learned and distill this information such as...

I see more clearly how I have been influenced by incredible mentors, teachers – people from the expressive arts field, the field of somatic therapy, influencers in the world of visual arts, film, dance, and performance.

I have gained so much insight and clarity from the therapy clients and students I have been privileged to work with. They continue to inspire me (and you know who you are!) with their dedication to their art, the strength of their characters, and their emotional fortitude.

And, it is becoming crystal clear that I want to keep expanding my focus to coach clients in their artistic healing and impact projects so they can expand their creative potential. As well,  I'm committed to supervising and mentoring therapists and educators so they can do their most effective work, while maintaining the integrity of their own artistic practices.

For me personally, it is thrilling to have some momentum with my writing project (hopefully to become a book in the future) after years of trying to arrive here. I'm practicing what I'm preaching - creating my own art is vital to my self-care and vitality. This gives me the sustenance I need to guide others.

I'm curious to know...

How are you evolving at this time?
Are current events igniting a fire to create?
If you are craving more downtime, how can you carve out space for what is most essential?

Photos:
Top: Leading an Art Cures Day Retreat at the San Francisco Zen Center before my move back east. Bottom Left: Teaching at Tamalpa Institute with famed dance pioneer and healing artist Anna Halprin and colleague Marialuisa Diaz De Leon. Bottom Right: Time with performance mentor Corey Fischer, actor and founder of Traveling Jewish Theater