AwareNow: Issue 42: 'The Sacred Edition'

‘I

CHRISTINA GONZALES

‘THE REVOLUTIONARY’

DYLAN LOMBARD

‘PICTURE PERFECT’

AALIA LANIUS

‘A CALL FOR UNITY’

FRED SMILES

‘RAGE AT THE DYING OF THE LIGHT’

KATHERINE WINTER-SELLERY

‘DANCING WITH THE DIVINE’

THE SACRED EDITION

CHELSEA JACKSON ROBERTS PHOTO BY: SARA HALIE

AwareNow Magazine is a monthly publication produced by AwareNow Media™, a storytelling platform dedicated to creating and sustaining positive social change with content that inspires and informs, while raising awareness for causes one story at a time.

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.

Joseph Campbell

i want to get lost right here inside these words within these beautifully bound stories words always seem to escape me then embrace me as far and as wide as i can imagine the only place they ever travel is to truth

what an amazing landscape of images and thoughts words and meaning on pages navigated with purpose written with integrity read with intentionality these words are sacred

ALLIÉ McGUIRE

Co-Director of AwareNow Media, CEO & Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

Allié started her career in performance poetry, then switched gears to wine where she made a name for herself as an online wine personality and content producer. She then focused on content production under her own label The Allié Way™ before marrying the love of her life, Jack, and switching gears yet again to a pursue a higher calling to raise awareness and funds for causes with Awareness Ties and AwareNow Media.

JACK McGUIRE

Co-Director of AwareNow Media, President & Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

Jack got his start in the Navy before his acting and modeling career. Jack then got into hospitality, focusing on excellence in service and efficiency in operations and management. After establishing himself with years of experience in the F&B industry, he sought to establish something different… something that would allow him to serve others in a greater way. With his wife, Allié, Awareness Ties and AwareNow Media were born.

WAIVER/DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed in AwareNow are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of AwareNow Media. Any content provided by our columnists or interviewees is of their opinion and not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, political group, organization, company, or individual. In fact, its intent is not to vilify anyone or anything. Its intent is to make you think.

We are constantly working to uplift the stories of young people worldwide…

STORY WITH LADY GAGA & BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION

KINDER A KINDER WORLD IS OUR KINDA WORLD

Australian-born fashion and lifestyle brand Cotton On partners their philanthropic arm, Cotton On Foundation with US-based nonprofit Born This Way Foundation, founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, in 2012. Together, they aim to raise $5 million USD for global mental health.

“We're honored to partner with Cotton On Foundation for our first global campaign amplifying our mission to build a kinder, braver world together," said Lady Gaga, Co-Founder of Born This Way Foundation. "We are constantly working to uplift the stories of young people worldwide, and through this partnership, we invite everyone to practice kindness and learn how to better support one another. Our research tells us that kindness is one way we can support each others’ mental health.”

The two organizations came together to create a range of limited-edition products available from September 1st, 2023, to October 10th, 2023 with Cotton On donating 100% of the net proceeds to Born This Way Foundation, making Cotton On one of the biggest corporate contributors to global youth mental health resources and support in 2023. Customers can purchase items, including caps, T-shirts, tote bags, stationery, and a denim jacket online and in select stores globally. The ‘Kinder, Braver, Together’ product design was inspired by Born This Way Foundation’s mission of supporting youth mental health and working with young people to build a kinder, braver world. An ethos shared by Cotton On Foundation on their journey to create a world where everyone can thrive.

“We are grateful for the support of Cotton On Foundation and the opportunity to expand our collective impact worldwide. Every day, we witness young people around the world leading and transforming the discussion around mental health and calling for increased resources to support themselves, their peers, and their communities,” said Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, President and Co-Founder of Born This Way Foundation. “We hope this partnership will accelerate the delivery of tangible resources, skills, and grassroots support necessary to build kinder, braver communities that value and improve mental health.”

“Cotton On’s purpose is to make a positive difference in people’s lives, and it is partnerships like this that will deliver significant impact on a global scale. Recently, our team and customers told us that mental health was increasingly important to them and our foundation set out with the commitment to help 10 million people gain access to mental health services. Born This Way Foundation, an organisation that shares our values, is a critical partner in making this goal a reality,” said Peter Johnson, CEO of Cotton On.

Established in 2007, Cotton On Foundation has raised over $170 million AUD to support youth globally, and is proud to be expanding their impact in the mental health space through this collaboration. Beyond the product line, the collaboration will also support Born This Way Foundation initiatives, including the ‘Be There Certi ficate,’ a free online course created in partnership with Jack.org, that provides participants with the knowledge to support peers facing mental health challenges. To ensure widespread impact, this partnership also calls on young people globally to nominate local mental health organizations in Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States; selected nominees will receive funding up to $150,000 USD per country as part of Born This Way Foundation's ‘Kindness in Community Fund,’ expanding the availability of resources to support mental health in communities where Cotton On operates.

We invite everyone to practice kindness and learn how to better support one another.

LADY GAGA

CO-FOUNDER OF BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION

It’s a beautiful act of connection, kindness and solidarity.

KEELY CAT-WELLS FOUNDER & CEO OF MAKING SPACE

“When we share our stories, magic happens. By opening up about our own experiences, we break down walls and show others that they’re not alone. It's a beautiful act of connection, kindness, and solidarity,” said Keely Cat-Wells, Founder and CEO of Making Space. “Free and accessible mental health resources have been a game changer for me, providing a lifeline and a safe space to turn for guidance. These resources have helped me personally by reminding me that I'm not alone in my journey, which often includes navigating life with a chronic illness, and that there are tools and support available to help me through the twists and turns of life.”

Follow Born This Way Foundation on Instagram (@btwfoundation). Learn more about about their work online: www.bornthisway.foundation

Go. Be

the explorer that we all are inside.

‘MEDICINE WITH WORDS’ EXCLUSIVE

COLUMN BY ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS

WE ARE ALL EXPLORERS

PUSHING PAST FEAR & LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

The act of exploring differs for each person. Maybe exploring is about trying new foods or meeting a new person at the coffee shop. For other people, exploring is about climbing the biggest mountain in the world, or crossing the oceans single-handedly. Life is short, but living it is infinite. It’s never too late to begin exploring

Explorers facilitate discussion and are willing to consider outside perspectives. They realize that they won’t always have the answers for everything, but they are open-minded to new perspectives and willing to consider other possibilities outside of what they think is right.

Sir Ernest Shackleton believed that an explorer should possess four qualities, “optimism, patience, idealism and courage.” I believe we all have these qualities, just at varying levels.

Exploring doesn’t have to just be about exploring the outside world. Exploring can be about finding better, and new ways of doing things, or even uncovering hidden potential in people, things or situations. It is about exploring “new ground”, which is not always as tangible as physical earth. Explorers often look one step beyond the current situation to pursue uncharted avenues.

Keep the mindset that anything is possible.

Remember these three powerful words: Expand. Explore. Discover.

We don’t know what we might find from exploring until we’re doing it. Several things can be gained: connection, improved memory, or increased mood and motivation, even adaptability and agility may evolve. It’s even possible to overcome fears or discover new talents. Exploring helps flex, and fulfill potential.

Don’t wait until everything is just right to explore. It will never be perfect. Even when exploring, don’t believe that everything will be perfect.

The authenticity in exploring is that new waters are being chartered, so it’s impossible to plan or predict every next step. There are always going to be challenges. But whatever happens, growth will come from these experiences. It’s easy to come up with excuses to stay in a comfortable bubble.

“Like all explorers, we are drawn to discover what’s out there without knowing yet if we have the courage to face it.” - Pema Chödrön

Our brains are there to protect us, so when we go to do something new that the brain has never explored, it often pulls the emergency brake.

ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS STORYTELLER, PHILANTHROPIST & OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS

WE ARE ALL EXPLORERS

Written and Narrated by Elizabeth Blake-Thomas https://awarenow.us/podcast/we-are-all-explorers

“The clock keeps ticking whether we stay in our comfort zones or not…”

In order to explore, we will probably be stepping out of our comfort zone, so get comfortable being uncomfortable! The desire might need us to be brave. Trying new things can often bring a sense of fear, in ourselves as well as others. But just remember that this fear is often a reaction to the unknown. Our brains are there to protect us, so when we go to do something new that the brain has never explored, it often pulls the emergency brake. But if we truly want to explore a new area, push past their fear and live this life to the fullest.

Imagine there is something we’ve been itching to explore, take a step towards it today. Whether that’s buying the plane ticket, planning the day to hike up the new path, or just writing down a list of everything we want to explore. The clock keeps ticking whether we stay in our comfort zones or not, but the world can only bene fit from us all continuing to live and explore. Go. Be the explorer that we all are inside. ∎

ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS

Storyteller, Philanthropist & Official Ambassador for Human Trafficking Awareness

www.awarenessties.us/elizabethblakethomas

Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is a British award-winning storyteller and philanthropist based in Los Angeles. She is the founder and resident director of entertainment company Mother & Daughter Entertainment, whose motto is “Making Content That Matters”, putting focus on each project starting a conversation amongst viewers. She is also the creator of the healing methodology Medicine with Words which is designed to help “spring clean” your mind and help free yourself from unnecessary noise so that you can live a more purposeful, peaceful life. She is the author of Filmmaking Without Fear which is a multi-medium resource curated for indie filmmakers. Her FWF podcast is available on all streaming platforms, and the book of the same name is available on Amazon. She is a regular on panels at Sundance, Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival, Elizabeth mentors wherever possible, ensuring she sends the elevator back down to all other female storytellers.

Photo Credit: Sara Halie

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DR. CHELSEA JACKSON ROBERTS

AFTER SAVASANA

THE BENEFITS OF YOGA BEYOND THE BODY

International celebrity, Peloton yoga teacher and scholar, Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is on a mission to make yoga and meditation accessible to everybody. Instructing hundreds of thousands, including celebrity supporters and clientele such as Shonda Rhimes and Jennifer Garner, Chelsea’s unique style of yoga blends contemporary hip-hop, electronic, and R&B with asana in a restorative practice that leaves her students with a strong sense of belonging and accomplishment.

ALLIÉ: From a post of yours you mentioned your first experience with yoga saying, “All I knew was that after savasana, I felt whole.” Let’s talk about the power of that pose. And then the power of yoga beyond the physical.

CHELSEA: That's a great question. Wow. I love that you asked that because I remember the day that I was in savasana and it was this aha moment. There were definitely tears, a lot of, not necessarily discomfort, but uncertainty of what I was feeling. It was this very familiar release. Yet it was unfamiliar because I had not allowed myself to go

Yoga has certainly been this portal for me to be honest with the traumas that have impacted me.

Photo Credit: Sara Halie

DR. CHELSEA JACKSON ROBERTS

PELOTON

YOGA AND MEDITATION

INSTRUCTOR

& FOUNDER OF RED CLAY YOGA

this thing that terrified me and this thing that I had been longing for.”

CHELSEA: (continued) I started yoga when I was in my early twenties. I talk very transparently about the loss of a good friend of mine from college, and I think about how much I was holding inside. I didn't have the understanding or the power of therapy in my early twenties at that point. I'm like, "Did I have the access then?" I'm thinking about it, and I wonder sometimes if I had those pieces, would yoga and meditation have impacted me the way that it did? But it was right on time and it did what it needed to do when I needed it.

With that savasana, that was the day that I had been holding and carrying so much, and then I just let it go there on the mat. And that's usually what my students or people who were thinking about yoga are most terri fied about. They're like, "I don't know if I want to tap into the emotions that I think I might be feeling when I'm sitting still or when I'm breathing, or I'm being honest about what I'm experiencing in this very moment.” So savasana, for me, was the both and… It was this thing that terrified me and this thing that I had been longing for.

ALLIÉ: What takes place on the mat can be medicinal. The benefits for the mind, the body and the spirit are many. As a healing modality, when it comes to trauma, can you share a personal story of how you used yoga to heal?

CHELSEA: Well, I think about trauma, and I always want to share what I see trauma as and the definition of feeling hopeless, helpless, or overwhelmed. I went through this experience; an abrupt trauma of losing someone who had been so a part of my life. I had just seen her the day before she was murdered and I lost her to gun violence. I had never experienced anything like that.

Anybody who's familiar, or even an elementary school teacher and we introduce these concepts as early as the second and third grade of the fight, flight, freeze of what your body moves into as a response to something that's uncomfortable. So trauma can be uncomfortable, both smaller traumas, longer traumas, abrupt traumas, prolonged traumas. Whatever it may be, it has an impact on us. And whether we want to confront the impact it has, whether it shows up in the relationships that we gravitate towards or the things that we look for externally to make us feel whole, a lot of times the root of it is a trauma that we've experienced.

Yoga has certainly been this portal for me to be honest with the traumas that have impacted me. And again, I say the small ones and the large ones to never diminish the experiences that people go through when they say, "I feel traumatized by that." You can feel traumatized by seeing an image that makes you scared or uncomfortable.

For me, yoga has been this tool because it's so centered on the breath for one, and the breath for me helps me get anchored. It helps me get present when I feel overwhelmed. Even when we're in conversation with each other and it's just like, you know what? Let me take a beat. Let me take a breath. Let me try this again. Whatever that thing is, the breath to me is the channel for me to get grounded, anchored, and say, "Okay, let me remind myself that what I do know is that I have this breath right now.”

Yoga focuses on the breath and yoga, by definition, means to unite, to yolk, to join. It's uniting our breath so that when we breathe, we can get into our bodies so that we can be anchored and present for whatever it is that we want to do in this world or have to do in this world.

“It was

DR.

CHELSEA JACKSON ROBERTS PELOTON YOGA AND MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR & FOUNDER OF RED CLAY YOGA

“I remember feeling invisible.”

CHELSEA: (continued) I think a lot about 2020. I think about all of the things that were coming to the surface, whether it was the racial injustice, whether it was a global pandemic. My goodness, people were needing space to breathe literally and figuratively. That's what I think about when I think about the connection and the way in which I use yoga to help me confront the trauma that I've experienced. Then from there, that's when I said, "Let me look into this thing called therapy so I can even dig a little bit deeper in a guided way. Let me look into all of these different modalities that can support me." But yoga, for me, has been my foundation.

ALLIÉ: Just as you're even speaking about the breath, I'm grounding myself. So thank you for the reminder. Sometimes throughout the day, perhaps other people are this way too, I'll find that I've stopped breathing. I'm holding my breath. So, your breath is your anchor and helps you stay present?

CHELSEA: Yes.

ALLIÉ: There’s a lot to learn in life both on and off the yoga mat. You, Chelsea, earned your teaching credentials and later completed your M.A., followed by your Ph.D. from the Division of Educational Studies at Emory University. During your experiences as a classroom teacher, you began to make connections between literacy development, yoga, meditation and other mindful practices. I’d love to hear what you discovered.

CHELSEA: Yeah, I needed it. My colleague and at the time, co-director and friend, Octavia Raheem, we did a video and people asked us what made us start Yoga, Literature & Art Camp, which is the camp that was birthed out of my dissertation about yoga, literature, and art. And Octavia said it is what I needed when I was that age.

So, we serve girls ages 13 through 17. We make yoga, meditation, the arts, literacy. We bring in self-identi fied women who use yoga, literature and art as their way to communicate in the world and their way to develop their narrative about who they are.

When I started teaching, I remembered even connecting back to my own experience with literacy and literature. And I remember feeling invisible. I was still very excited about reading, and it gave me an opportunity to look at the world through the lens of someone else, whether they were in another country or just in Cincinnati. I'm from Dayton, Ohio. It was an experience to see that lens, but when you seldom see your own lens when you're looking through or reading something, it's really discouraging. And I knew that I wanted those components to be re flected. I knew that I wanted yoga to be reflected because when I started yoga, I didn't see a lot. There were a few, but I didn't see this abundance of black women in particular practicing yoga, which I knew inherently that we had these moments throughout history of being healers of being very attuned to the body. And I was just like, but why aren't we in these spaces? Or why are we not being elevated and revealed in these spaces?

I started thinking about literacy and my own experience with literature and reading, and I said, "I want these girls to know that they are being centered so they write their own stories, their poetry. We had spoken word artists who ended up going into spoken word competitions and winning nationally.

And then there was the art component. We started out at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. I'm an alumna of Spelman, and when no one else will take you in, you go back home. So I went back home to Spelman, talked to the museum, and we hosted yoga and literature in our camp there. And again, this was my dissertation. I was moving on

CHELSEA: (continued) with life. I was thinking that my trajectory was supposed to go and apply for the tenure trek positions and the academy. I was going to write books. After I did the dissertation, we had a group of girls that we used within our case study. I'm an ethnographer, so I studied specifically culture. These girls, after it was over, they were like, "Okay, so when is the one for next summer?" And I was like, "How dare I not continue in this space?” So that's really how it was all birthed and how we are still here 10 years later. That's our story.

ALLIÉ: We’ve talked mind, body, spirit… Let’s talk style now. You have a unique style of yoga blending contemporary hip-hop, electronic, and R&B with asana. Please share how you came up with this concept and how it was received by the public.

CHELSEA: As I said, when I didn't see black women in particular, that's how I identify and that's who I was looking for to see if I could do this, to see if I belonged. And just as I did not see black women being elevated in yoga spaces, I knew that we were there. And the music component, just because it's not something that you may see, well, even 20 years ago when I really started practicing yoga, and then 15 to 20 years ago when I started teaching, that's what I used. I used music as the channel to bring people in. We were in Atlanta, Georgia. Music, if you don't know, is huge in Atlanta in particular and growing. So I knew that folks were already using music to get people to the club. They were getting music to get people to live music performances. I could go and just listen across the street and hear people playing instruments.

I lived in an artist's loft and a huge musician lived right next door to me. It was all these things. I was like, we're already doing this, so why not bring something else to the party? And I knew that yoga because I had my own personal experience, I was like, well, what would happen if I placed this yoga flow with Anita Baker or Luther Vandross? So I did.

I did that back in the day in Atlanta. This was around 2005. And we were at the community centers with my friend, Cynthia, who is also a Ph.D. We were wild. We were these PhD students who were just like, but we have this hunch that yoga is just this thing. So, we were at coffee shops, we were in the park, wherever someone could have us, and people were showing up, like, 50 people. We had wait lists, and I'm talking about 50 people in a community center room. We had wait lists and they came back for the music too. Later on, when I got certified, I did my yoga teacher's training at an ashram where my teacher was a monk and we were using the traditional practices. We were in an ashram and I was still playing my music. And not everyone understood it. Some people asked me to stop who really enjoyed me as a yoga teacher, but they were just like I could do without the music. And I came to a moment where I had to define for myself, on the one hand, I want to be the student's teacher, but I also wanted to interrogate the part of me that would have pushed that part of me away. And I think that I would've been dishonoring my lineage. My folks are from the South. I think that I have learned through schooling, through society, through different spaces to be ashamed of my African-American heritage. So I wanted to dig deeper into that. Digging deeper into what I grew up listening to allowed me to open myself.

I did a metal class, Allié. I've done a country class. I got a lot of rock classes. I'm surprised in myself. And it's, for me, a practice of what I'm teaching. I'm asking my students to open themselves up to doing something that they've never done. So let's see what would happen if I do a yoga class to trap music. So that is my love. And I feel like if I do this Music Monday on the platform where I teach, every Monday I will do a different genre and I am determined to bring in at least one more person who didn't think that they belonged in this space. I want to bring them in through the music. So that's why I love the music.

ALLIÉ: That is awesome. And I would say on behalf of me, my husband Jack, and our kids who have dance parties every night in our living room, when you have the trap music one, we’re there.

CHELSEA: I love it.

ALLIÉ: A Peloton instructor, a collaborator with the NIH, Starbucks, and the NFL, a global yoga ambassador for Lululemon, you are also the founder of Red Clay Yoga. Please tell us about your nonpro fit and how you serve youth, marginalized communities and their allies.

CHELSEA: So Red Clay Yoga, thank you for asking me that because that is certainly my heartbeat. When all is said and done, this will definitely be one of my biggest accomplishments, in addition to my firstborn. Yoga Literature and Art Camp came before the organization Red Clay Yoga - just a year before.

My co-founder and husband, Shane Roberts, who's from Los Angeles, he knew that I was onto something when he met me. We were dating when I was in the middle of graduate school moving into the dissertation. And he knew to support something that was worth supporting. It was valuable. So he said, "How are you going to sustain Yoga Literature and Art Camp every summer if the girls are asking for this? We need an organization.” We knew that the nonprofit route would be the most accountable way for us to go because now we have to engage community members. We needed a board. We needed to have programming. So that's how Red Clay Yoga became.

Yoga Literature & Art Camp was founded in 2013 and Red Clay Yoga came in 2014. So to think that we're here a decade in, it’s certainly evolved, but then also got different during the pandemic just like everything else. So we went digital with our programming. Also, before 2020, before a lot of the DEI work was being given the light that we certainly need to have in spaces, we were doing the DEI work through Red Clay Yoga by hosting trainings for yoga teachers who wanted to confront, interrogate, and also have compassion around talking about race and then also using yoga through the process. That's what we do at Red Clay Yoga. And even though we look a little different now, Shane and I live in Harlem, New York City, we hope to see it scale in that way. We would love to have Yoga Literature and Art Camp at one of the museums here in the city. How beautiful it would be to be in the historic space of Harlem. So that's where I always remember my why’s on those days that are hard when I ask myself if I have it in me. That is certainly one of my why’.

ALLIÉ: Thank you for sharing what incredible journey you've been on and are still on. In addition to all those titles I just mentioned a moment ago, there's a new one, and you referred to it a moment ago as well, that mom has been added to this now. So my question for you now is, how has motherhood changed your life and how has it changed your practice?

CHELSEA: Well, for one, it has certainly allowed me to prioritize sleep. That's number one. It's also taught me to see the beauty in every single moment. I know that yoga prepared me for motherhood. Shane and I both put off starting our family intentionally because we wanted to do the work that we're doing now. We feel like we've gathered the community members that can continue it and have. But motherhood in particular requires an in finite amount of presence. And it's not lost on me that having the luxury to be as present as I can be for Noble and to have the support. Yoga, I know has been essential in this process from being pregnant, from carrying Noble to the process of birthing, to coming home and looking at Shane like, we can't turn back now. It's those moments. A lot of my moments of the breath have certainly come a lot more naturally. That's what I'm saying about it being integrated into my life. It is hard to describe until that student has their aha moment of, "Oh, now I see why this is worth it.” I was one of the skeptics when I was like, "I got to go to a how-long class? I only have this amount of time." In my early twenties at that. I'm just like, "I have things to do. I'm too busy." The amount of time that I know that I've gained by practicing on my mat so that when I go out into the world, these things come up naturally, including motherhood, including mothering myself in the process, it is integrated into the entire experience.

ALLIÉ: That's really beautiful. And you're right. It's until you're there. You can talk about being a mom, being a parent, you can talk about all these things, but until you're actually there and in it, you can't breathe through it until you're in it.

CHELSEA: Right. And that goes for anything. Before I had Noble, I think about those moments in 2020. I wasn't pregnant yet in 2020 and I think about how intense, how that's where on Peloton, my colleague and friend Tunde and I

CHELSEA JACKSON ROBERTS

INSTRUCTOR

I just didn’t get it until I got it.

Photo Credit: Sara Halie

DR.

PELOTON YOGA AND MEDITATION

& FOUNDER OF RED CLAY YOGA

space for forgiveness to yourself, for yourself.”

CHELSEA: (continued) started Breathe In, Speak Up. We just needed content and an opportunity for us to allow what we were experiencing to be channeled somewhere. And that was through our yoga, through meditation, through exercise, cycling. So yoga has certainly, whatever your experience in life is until you have given yourself the opportunity to be present with the breath and the flow is, I was that person. Why would anybody do this? Why would anybody waste their time? I just didn't understand. I thought it was boring. I just didn't get it until I got it. And I'm still having moments of figuring it out.

ALLIÉ: You and your words, I just didn't get it until I got it. But that's the thing. And then what a gift it is once you get it.

CHELSEA: Yep.

ALLIÉ: Yesterday, in a post of yours you shared, “I have carried a lot of loads in this lifetime already, and yoga + meditation help me release anything I no longer need to carry.” For those who have a hard time setting down a load they know they’ve carried far too long but aren’t sure how to do it, what advice do you have?

CHELSEA: Every time I get on the mat, I try to remember to forgive myself. And when I think about the loads that folks carry, oftentimes it's not by choice. I have to be honest about this, my husband and I are obsessed with ancestry and learning the story of how we're even here today. They didn't have the luxury to say, "I can't carry this load anymore. I don't want to carry this load.” There were certainly pockets, of course, resistance, rebellion, finding joy. But for their circumstances, and I'm talking about slavery, let's just speak very frankly, when I think about a load, I'm like, who am I forgetting when I say things like ‘just put your load down’? However, when I'm grounded in the truth of what my circumstances are, it makes space for me to forgive myself for the ways that I constantly beat myself up for carrying a load whatever that is: the resentment towards the load, the hopelessness towards the load. But I have to find space to forgive myself. That's what I offer folks out there to make space for forgiveness to yourself, for yourself. ∎

Exclusive Interview w/Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts https://awarenow.us/podcast/after-savasana

“Make

Photo Credit: Markus Ravik

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH YOSTE

I DON’T WANT TO LIE TRUTH BE TOLD (& SUNG) IN LYRICS

Creating a sound and a world of his own with his music, Yoste is a musician based in Brisbane, Australia, who is finding his way to the United States in 2023 for a November tour. Playing first in Chicago, Yoste will perform in 8 cities, San Francisco being his last stop. One of the many songs he’ll play is a new one entitled, ‘I Don’t Want To Lie’, a personal favorite of mine that I’m excited to explore…

ALLIÉ: ‘In vino veritas’ is the Latin translation for ‘In wine, there is truth. Beyond being swirled in a glass or poured from a bottle, truth can be found in scars and in your song, ‘I Don’t Want To Lie’. Here we find truth about injury, stitches and scars. Please share. What’s the story behind this song that you co-wrote with Vandelux?

YOSTE: Well, besides the fact that I just love Vandelux's music and he happens to be an incredibly lovely guy (that’s the why I collaborated with Vandelux), the why of the song… And I've chosen to lean into this as hard as I can. I normally hate talking about anything to do with the background behind songs or even expounding on the meanings of

Photo Credit: Markus Ravik

YOSTE: (continued) I was talking to my dad actually yesterday about this very topic. I was just asking him if he could ever remember having an existential crisis in his life. Of all things, I'd just seen the Barbie movie actually, and one of the little through lines of that was Barbie having an existential crisis, and it reminded me of the time when I was about 18 to 22. That was the first time I'd ever really contemplated death or truth or any of these kind of deeper philosophical concepts at a really visceral level to the point where I was going to bed every night just kind of petri fied, staying awake, and thinking about the fact that everything's impermanent and everything you do or think or feel will inevitably disappear. But the happy end of that is I got over that by about 20, and now I'm just quite happy and quite content with all that subject matter, despite the fact that I still find it very interesting. And what else I find very interesting is that a lot of people are still going through that or maybe wait until they're in midlife before those kinds of things hit them, which I find interesting. For me, it was very early and then not as impactful maybe. But that's a long-winded answer of saying that's kind of the theme of the song… exploring those deeper struggles and then the impact that has.

ALLIÉ: ‘You run away, hide. You’re losing your mind.’ This is the first part of the first chorus in ‘I Don’t Want To Lie’ that speaks to the truth of ‘losing your mind’. We have a tendency to first run and then hide when things get crazy. Let’s get personal. When things get crazy for you, what do you do?

YOSTE: I do exactly that. I like to isolate myself from other people. I mean, I like to do that anyway, so it's hard to tell what's a reaction and what's just my default state. I definitely have the tendency to retreat inwards. That's de finitely my particular coping mechanism, whether it's physically, and I do like to have my own personal space, but beyond that, I'm definitely more on the whatever traditional masculine kind of threat response to just kind of shut down. And I do have to actively kind of work against that a little bit, especially as a musician where you have to dive into those kinds of things.

ALLIÉ: Moving on to the second chorus, ‘All your scars are not enough. I can't stand to give you up.’ When I think about scars, I think about trauma and the truth of its existence. A lover of introspection and observation, what’s your take on ‘scars’?

YOSTE: Well, obviously it's a very useful metaphor that's often used, but at least in my case, I have a lot of scars because my skin marks very easily, but most of them are happy scars, which I think is kind of a fun twist. This one I have here is just kind of a long scar running along my hand. I have a similar one on my knee. A lot of them come from playing with family dogs over the years. Not their fault whatsoever, just sharp claws. And I kind of rough house with my dogs and we run around, we're doing tug of war, a straight nail here or there will just knick my skin and because it marks so easily, they'll leave this very long clean white line. But I actually find them to be just happy memories. They barely hurt at the time. I mark really easily.

Even my less pleasant scars… I've had to have knee surgery a couple of times. I've got the classic boy scar of falling off my bike flat onto my face. But I don't know. There's something… I find something a little bit fun. It's almost like an

“I definitely have the tendency to retreat inwards. That’s definitely my particular coping mechanism…”

I like the fact that not all scars have to be sad…

Photo Credit: Markus Ravik

YOSTE: (continued) old photo album for me to just kind of stand in front of the mirror sometimes if I'm popping in or out of the shower (not to be too sexy). I can see all these horrible looking scars, but they're still kind of enjoyable to me. I like the fact that not all scars have to be sad necessarily, but of course the line in the song is playing off the fact that we can even be attached to kind of like you said, emotional scars in an unhealthy way.

ALLIÉ: One more question about this song that I very much adore comes it at verse 2. ‘Bleeding, from your nose. Pulling at the stitches that'll keep you closed.’ I hear this and think of times when healing is harder than hurting. Pleasing lies are often easier to take than painful truths. As a musician, what is the hardest truth you’ve had to face?

YOSTE: That's a good question, and by that I mean a difficult question…I don't know how common of a response this would be, but when you start making music, or at least when I started (as I’ll only speak for myself because I actually don't think this is the case for everyone), I started making music first out of a desire to please myself, of course. But then as more and more people start to listen, which is of course what you want, a key goal, you want your music to reach people and then you want them to enjoy it. The really interesting thing for me, and maybe the disappointing thing, although I've since kind of got over it if you like, is that even when you get the response that you really think you want or that you've sought all this time… For instance, you may have someone message you and say, “I love this song. It meant a lot to me.” That kind of thing, which is all you want when you start making music and I still want it, but what you realize is the half-life of that is very, very short.

It's almost like I've never been able to find a ‘there’ no matter how much the music feels satisfying to me or to another person. It all kind of evaporates. Everything's ephemeral. I already kind of knew that, but it's another thing to experience it in the moment. It’s a strange thing. I think that just leads you back around to looking for equanimity and satisfaction in normal things because I do think there's no real ‘there’ for me. For other people, maybe there is. It’s a similar thing to me when I'm on stage. I enjoy playing, but I know there'll never be that moment where you say, “This is it. I've achieved everything.” There's never that moment. Even the best shows I've ever played, I was like, “That was good.” And then the next morning, I'm eating breakfast and I think no more of it. It's just like everything. You can't hang on to those moments. So maybe that's the harshest truth.

ALLIÉ: You’re absolutely right… We’re all saying, “Oh, when I make it ‘there’, when I get ‘there’… But there is, to your point, no ‘there’.

YOSTE: But you do it anyway. That's the true lesson. You do it anyway.

ALLIÉ: Yeah. You do it anyway… One more question I did have for you today is to help other folks along. When it comes to the music industry or any industry really, there are so many paths to take. Many of them are right, but just as

“It’s almost like I’ve never been able to find a ‘there’ no matter how much the music feels satisfying to me or to another person. It all kind of evaporates.”

I DON’T WANT TO LIE

Exclusive Interview w/Yoste https://awarenow.us/podcast/i-dont-want-to-lie

ALLIÉ: (continued) many of them are wrong. So for those who are pursuing a career in music, what advice do you have for not only finding your path but staying on the right one?

YOSTE: Well, I was a lawyer first. Very briefly, I was a very apathetic law student before I started making music. I was doing it on the side all the time… but I was far too cautious to jump straight into it. But presuming people are on some kind of creative path, I think the best value I can offer is, after having made many mistakes myself, to the other musicians I've spoken to in my orbit, friendship circle, or whatever, the best advice I've given them is to not stress too much about even quite big decisions. I feel like I've made a lot of both really good and really bad decisions. I don't think you have to make or take rather the right path all the time. I definitely haven't. But you can just get through with persistence and with making what you want to make. It doesn't really matter.

It doesn't matter if you go off in some direction that feels completely foreign to you or if you sign with someone that you shouldn't have. I really feel like you can just keep moving forward, and it's not going to ruin your life like you think at the time. It’s not going to upset the apple cart to the extent that you can't do what you want to do. To sum it up succinctly, I would just say there is no one right path. And even if you take the wrong path, you can always go back. That's what I've done.

ALLIÉ: I love that. So it's not so much the path you take, but just recognizing that a correction needs to be made and sort of recharting. Yeah?

YOSTE: It goes back to what we said before. I don't think there is a perfect path and there is no ‘there’ there. You just keep going, if you want to and if you enjoy it.

ALLIÉ: Cheers to know ‘there’ there. Strangely, there’s some kind of comfort in that.

YOSTE: Yeah, I think there is, for me at least, but I do think it is different perhaps for some people. Or at least maybe their threshold is higher. For instance, some people will really enjoy performing, even if there's only two people in the room. They don't care. They just love performing. For me, performing is fantastic, but I've never been a performer in the sense that just performing in and of itself fills me up and I need the satisfaction of being on stage or something. For me, it's more just about the music itself. ∎

ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS ACTRESS, PRODUCER & AWARENOW OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

After the darkness, there will always be light.

STORY BY ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS

DARKNESS DEFINING THE DARK

Darkness is associated with death, loss, longing…

We think of darkness and we see fear or danger, perhaps a dark forest like in the fairy tales, a dark basement from a horror movie. We might also think of night time; a time of rest and sleep.

Darkness can be many things, for some people it’s peace and quiet after the kids go to sleep, or a time when you drive to work while seeing headlights all around.

We are in darkness in death, but also before birth. The womb is dark and warm, filled with a mother’s protection. We are born into bright light, craving and yearning the home from whence we came.

Darkness can be scary, but after darkness there will always be light. ∎

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

WRITING ON THE WALL’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY

EDDIE DONALDSON

SPANTO IN MEMORY OF CHRIS ‘SPANTO’ PRINTUP

We honor a man who was LA born and raised, Who lived a life to be honored, one to be praised.

Growing up he didn’t have much, Yet he gave a lot to all that he’d touch.

Loyal and loving to his family and friends, This is not where his story ends.

He lives on in his legacy, Of hope and possibility.

‘THE

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

Photography

Photo Credit: Estevan Oriol

I have a friend who redefined the word ‘brother’ for me.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO

I have a friend.

I have a friend who’s been suffering.

I have a friend who redefined the word ‘brother’ for me.

I have a friend who, when I commended him for his courage and grace in the face of mortal peril, said: “I think railing against the dying of the light is less wise than enjoying the light, whatever its intensity.”

I have a friend who is love and compassion in action, a friend I have known on this earth for over 60 years and will gladly follow into whatever world comes next.

I have a friend who has received a reprieve, who knows full well that reprieves are temporary and therefore sweet. If I walk more steadily it’s because my path has been lit for me by this wondrous being I call ‘friend’. ∎

Written and Narrated by Burt Kempner https://awarenow.us/podcast/i-have-a-friend-who

BURT KEMPNER Writer & Producer

www.awarenessties.us/burt-kempner

BURT KEMPNER is a writer-producer who has worked professionally in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Florida. His work has won numerous major awards, and has been seen by groups ranging in size from a national television audience in the United States to a half-dozen Maori chieftains in New Zealand. Spurred by his love for inspiring young people, he started writing children's books in 2015. Learn more about Burt and his books at his website: www.burtkempner.com.

‘JUST BURT STORIES’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY BURT KEMPNER

BUILDING BRIDGES FROM WHERE WE ARE TO WHERE OUR VISION LIES

I landed in the sand for my final attempt and felt very con fident that I’d put the nail in the coffin. WRONG! I had only tied my previous long jump mark, which ultimately solidified me as the seventh-place finisher. Seventh place?

I haven’t finished less than silver since 2011. That was twelve years ago.

If you’re wondering, I’m talking about how I did at the most recent World Para Athletics Championships. It wasn’t the performance that I intended to have. I flew back home to the States, only to be bombarded with questions of “What happened?”, “Did you get injured or something?”, “Was it too loud in the stadium?”

I get it. Something had to have happened for me to finish so low in the standings, but if you know me then you know I’m one who isn’t big on excuses. Sure, I can tell you that I had a few very minor injuries during the season. I felt fine on competition day though. I could talk about the adjustments that I’ve had to make being a first-time dad. Sure, it’s taken a lot, but I felt fine on competition day. I could say this and say that, but the reality is, I felt like I was going to win gold that day, and it just didn’t happen.

I’ll be Captain Obvious here and tell you that life is hard.

We’re constantly having to deal with life and the changes that it presents to us. It’s tough. It doesn’t feel good at times. Sometimes it’s so overwhelming that you may feel like giving up. The idea is to understand how to embrace these changes and figure out what it is that you need to do to adjust.

After such a lousy performance at worlds, what is it that I need to do differently to ensure this doesn’t happen again? To ensure that I don’t miss out on my gold medal in Paris next summer?

A lot of my family, friends, and teammates always remind me that I’m not a spring chicken anymore. That might be so, but in my mind, that’s just another excuse to hang my hat on.

If you’ve read my most recent book, then you probably know that I’m so focused on achieving my vision that I rarely give time for those failed attempts and opportunities to fester in my mind. Sure, take time to process and heal from those failures, but the goal is to keep moving forward. Something is always going to happen and it’s not going to always happen in our favor, but you have to keep pushing ahead no matter what.

I really do believe in the power of vision. Vision shows us who we can be.

But it also gives us an idea of who we shouldn’t be.

‘NO NEED FOR SIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE VISION’ BY LEX GILLETTE

is a gap between where we are and where our vision lies.”

Lastly, our vision not only shows us who we can be and who we ought not to be, but it should help us truly identify who we are currently. Where we are at this present moment. And I’m so serious about this. Really take a step back and look at the things that you’re doing right now. Look at the decisions that you’re making, the food that you’re eating, and how you’re spending your time each day.

That gives us a new baseline, a new starting mark so that as we navigate toward our vision, we can identify exactly what it is that we need to alter or change as we aim to bring our vision to fruition.

There is a gap between where we are and where our vision lies.

The goal is to make the necessary changes to reduce and eliminate that gap so that one day, we can wrap our arms around what it was that we had been seeing all along.

Yes, there is a gap between where I am and where my vision lies.

But you know what?

I’m going through that self-assessment, identifying what I’m doing currently, where I am right now, and who I am at this moment.

That’s the first step in building a bridge…

And if you’re truly serious, your steps moving forward will all be focused on building this bridge and closing that gap.

Have the confidence in knowing that you’ll one day realize that your bridge has been completed, and with all of the work that you’ve done, you won’t fall off into the depths of the waters below. You’ll cross over a strategically built structure, a bridge, that will lead you to the pure joy that is given when the vision is achieved. ∎

LEX GILLETTE

x Paralympic Medalist, 4x World Champion & Keynote Speaker www.awarenessties.us/lex-gillette

LEX GILLETTE has quickly become one of the most sought after keynote speakers on the market. Losing his sight at the age of eight was painful to say the least, but life happens. Things don’t always go your way. You can either stay stuck in frustration because the old way doesn’t work anymore, or you can create a new vision for your life, even if you can’t see how it will happen just yet. His sight was lost, but Lex acquired a renewed vision, a vision that has seen him become the best totally blind long and triple jumper Team USA has ever witnessed.

“There

Photo Credit: Andrew Cawley

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DYLAN LOMBARD

PICTURE PERFECT MORE THAN A SYNDROME, A SNAPSHOT FOR LIVING

1 of only 15 people in the world to have MDP Syndrome, an extremely rare metabolic disorder which prevents fatty tissue from being stored under the skin, Dylan Lombard isn’t only known for his condition. From Glasgow, Scotland, he’s known for his photography and his talent in capturing a moment, pausing time and providing space to reflect.

ALLIÉ: There are only 15 people in the entire world who have MDP Syndrome. You are one of those 15. Dylan, for those unfamiliar with the condition, what is it and how does it affect you?

DYLAN: So, MDP is a rare metabolic disorder that prevents fatty tissue from being stored underneath the skin. And like you said, it's an extremely rare condition affecting only 15 people in the world. And the effects can also include the loss of fat on their cheeks, arms and legs. And it can also affect the loss of hearing. Sometimes I may find it hard to hear people and what they're saying. So, I always ask people to repeat things. Another thing is that because of the loss of fat, it can be hard to do physical activities. So things like rugby and also even walking for long periods of time

Photo Credit: Dylan Lombard

ALLIÉ: What started as a hobby, has become a passion. Photography, some might say, has become your obsession. Because of your autism, you look at the world through a different lens through which your camera helps you translate. When did you first recognize photography as your outlet of choice for self expression?

DYLAN: I think photography came to me because I really wanted to find something that made me happy. I wanted to find something that I could be passionate about. When I first discovered photography, I was looking at magazines and newspapers… all the photographs that I was seeing. Also, my grandpa used to take photos in New York. He used to take lovely black and white photos. That gave me a thought that I could really begin something here and show people through a camera lens… I could show people how I see the world. I could show people that I have a passion and that I have something that I want to share with them.

ALLIÉ: Your words, Dylan. “By taking a photograph I can freeze time and give myself space to think and breathe.” Too often, we are not present. We’re invested in the future where, what and who is next in our lives. Why do you feel pausing for the present and giving the moment space is important?

DYLAN: I feel that because sometimes the world can be quite overwhelming with everything going on, having that thing that you're passionate about, something that makes you happy, helps you to stay calm. And it can also really help you push all the negative thoughts and feelings away. It helps you to really stay focused on what you like to enjoy doing. Photography has really helped me not just show what makes me happy and what I'm passionate about, but it's also really helped me to stay calm and to stay positive. If I am having a bad day or if I am feeling lonely, I just go outside, take my camera with me, and explore the world.

ALLIÉ: In addition to photography, you like poetry. What you don’t capture visually, you enjoy conveying verbally. When did you start writing poetry?

DYLAN: Photography is showcasing something visually through photographs. I believe that words are also really powerful, and I wanted to show people by writing my feelings and emotions down. I really like to write how I'm feeling during that day. And what I then end up doing is just writing lots of words down, tying words together and then creating a poem that really expresses my feelings. And sometimes it may be sad because that's how I'm feeling. Sometimes it might be quite happy and joyful. It really just depends on what I want to share with people. Also, with the words that I use, I really try to help people who are feeling down or having a difficult day.

“If I am having a bad day or if I am feeling lonely, I just go outside, take my camera with me, and explore the world.”

Photo Credit: Dylan Lombard

Photo Credit: Dylan Lombard

We are not all born the same

How boring the world would be Being different is the best thing Makes us a lot more free

Photo Credit: Dylan Lombard

PICTURE PERFECT

Exclusive Interview w/Dylan Lombard https://awarenow.us/podcast/picture-perfect

ALLIÉ: And do you have a favorite piece you can share with us today?

DYLAN: Yeah, so there's this little bit of the poem that it's basically trying to say to people that there are people out there who are different and who experience difference…

We are not all born the same How boring the world would be Being different is the best thing Makes us a lot more free

I think the world would be a boring place if we were all the same. And I think it’s telling people that being different can make you free because having that difference makes you share a better story. And it also helps you to understand that we are all different, but we all have a story to tell.

ALLIÉ: Mild to severe, disabilities are here, there and everywhere. For those who have a disability and feel they are on the outside looking in, what advice can you share?

DYLAN: I think not everyone is confident to speak out and to speak up. Sometimes it's hard. Not everyone wants to share what their disability is. Some people like to keep it a secret or to keep it private, but I feel that sharing… If you do have a disability, share it. I believe that if you do have a disability, that doesn't mean you can't do anything. I feel that I don't have a disability because I don't see it as a disability. I see it as a different ability… Even if you have a disability, if you want to do things that you love and things that you're passionate about, keep going. Enjoy the things that you love to do… I’ve noticed as I've got older, it is to not worry too much about my disability… I believe that we are all in this world together and we all love everyday life. ∎

Follow Dylan on Instagram (@be_yourself_dylan). Explore his photography online (dylanlombardphotography.co.uk).

FEATURE STORY BY HALLIE TWOMEY

SOMEDAY WHEN THE LAUGHTER STOPS AND THE CRYING DOESN’T START

When seemingly happy, travel-infatuated CJ Twomey violently ended his own life at age 20, his family was plunged into unrelenting grief and guilt. In a moment of desperate inspiration, his mother Hallie put out an open call on Facebook, looking only for a handful of travelers who might help fulfill her son’s wish to see the world by scattering some of his ashes in a place of beauty or special meaning. Her call was answered, CJ’s ashes were spread by one thousand volunteers, their story was filmed and shared to bring awareness to a very stigmatized and misunderstood form of mental illness.

They say, “Someday you will laugh without worrying when the laughter will stop and the crying will start.”

Someday hasn’t happened for me yet. I”ve been crying in private more than I care to admit.

Suicide leaves utter devastation in its wake.

Please call 988. Ask for help. Don’t be CJ. ∎

Follow Hallie on Instagram (@hallie2me).

Watch and share the film ‘Scattering CJ’: www.scatteringcjfilm.com

THERESA CHEUNG DREAM EXPERT & BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

The meaning of your life is found not in the answers but in the constant asking.

SEARCHING ANSWERS SOUGHT FOR QUESTIONS UNKNOWN

Theresa Cheung, dream expert and best-selling author shares, “Your dreams are the language of your soul.” In this AwareNow Magazine exclusive column, ‘The Stuff of Dreams’, every month Theresa decodes a dream submitted by one of our readers.

THE DREAM

Last night, I couldn’t sleep. My dreams kept me up. A series of mysterious dreams kept me searching for something. Each time I’d wake, I’d try to fall back asleep as quickly as I could to return to the dreaming that seemed to embody some real mission that I was on to understand something I’ve not yet known. People I recognized, people I call dear friends and others who were complete strangers appeared in this ongoing dream series. While each scene was different, there was the same seeking to uncover answers about a time, a place and set of instructions… but instructions for what and to what end I have no idea. I woke up still searching. Checking messages on my phone and in my inbox, where revelations that I couldn’t remember now were shared in my dream series.

What’s strange is that my husband had a dream that woke him last night too. His dream was one where he’d met a couple he can’t remember ever meeting in real life. They gave him their first and last names and then he woke and couldn’t fall back asleep, nor could he remember the names they had given.

Any idea what any of this means?

- Elizabeth W.

THE DREAM DECODED

Dear Elizabeth,

Deeply profound night vision here where both the familiar and unfamiliar merge together in a mysterious quest to discover answers to unknown questions. You could not get a more clear message from your dreaming mind that currently you don’t recognise who you have become and what your motivations are, or even what the meaning of everything is. You want clarity and you want answers.

‘THE STUFF OF DREAMS’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY THERESA CHEUNG

“Experiment wildly, make mistakes and learn from every mistake.”

However, what this dream is trying to tell you is that the questions are the answers. Untapped potential within you needs to be explored for sure but more important than that is remembering who you are and being true to yourself. Let your dreams help you rediscover your childlike curiosity for discovery. Reflect on what matters to you, what you love to do and then in waking life try to apply that sense of infinite possibility. In other words, don’t limit yourself. Believe you have everything you need within you. Experiment wildly, make mistakes and learn from every mistake.

It seems your husband may well be feeling disorientated too as his dreams are encouraging him to get curious and seek deeper meaning but when he wakes he can’t recall. If both of you can bring the curiosity your dreams are showcasing within you into your waking life and understand that questions are always far more powerful than answers because they encourage your mind to problem solve (answers don’t do that) and that the meaning of life is found not in the answers but in asking the questions - the words ‘what if’ are the most powerful two words in the world - this will help you evolve. Sometimes there is no answer to a question but this doesn’t mean you stop asking it because in the asking is where all personal and spiritual growth will happen. And the meaning of our lives is to constantly learn and grow.

In short, get comfortable with and enjoy questions. The meaning of your life is found not in the answers but in the constant asking. ∎

Have

a dream you’d like decoded?

← Scan, tap or click the code to submit your dream to AwareNow. If selected, it will be published in AwareNow Magazine with Theresa’s analysis.

THERESA CHEUNG

Dream Expert & Best-Selling Author

www.theresacheung.com/about-theresa

THERESA CHEUNG is a best-selling author and dream decoding expert who has been researching and writing about spirituality, astrology, dreams, and the paranormal for the past twenty-five years. With a Master's degree from King's College Cambridge University in Theology and English, and several international best-selling books, including two Sunday Times "top 10 bestsellers", Theresa has over 40 published books and cards on topics of the science of cognition to intuition. Her Dream Dictionary from A to Z (Harper Collins) regularly sits at number 1 on its category's Amazon list, and is regarded as a classic in its field. Learn more about Theresa online: www.theresacheung.com

Follow your scars for directions.

FRED SMILES

MUSICIAN

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH FRED SMILES

AT THE DYING OF THE LIGHT A MUSICIAN’S LOVE AND EMBRACE OF THE NIGHT

A guardian of light who fell in love with the night, Fred Smiles thrives in the dark. Through poetic narratives, he explores themes of identity, affiliation and existentialism. His debut album ‘Rage At The Dying of The Light’ tackles the journey and attempt to become a man. It's about accepting the darkness, in order to recognize the light.

ALLIÉ: A Norway native, you moved by yourself from Oslo to New York at the age of seventeen. On your own, you sought something different than what you had known. What were you seeking?

FRED: I don't really know. I was born and raised in Oslo. By the time I was 17, I was kind of like, “I hate the city. I hate these people. Everything is boring here.” I was kind of in my rebellious teenage era. I just had to get out, and I guess I was just seeking people that were more like me who wanted to talk about the things I wanted to talk about and explore the things I wanted to explore. I grew up in a very homogenous area where people dress the same, talk about the same things, and like the same things. I needed to get out. It was boring. And I wanted to explore myself too, in

FRED SMILES

MUSICIAN

It’s okay to say no to certain things.

ALLIÉ: As an artist, you manifest your talent in your music. When did you first find and fall in love with music?

FRED: Honestly, I've been in love with music for as long as I can remember. My father used to just play all of these psychedelic rock vinyls in the house when I was little, and I just really fell in love with it from the jump. So for as long as I can remember, actually. if you ask my mom too, music just stayed with me from that time always. I would sleep with music in my ears. I would just always have it with me wherever I went.

There's one vivid memory from when I was little with my mom. We were in the car and I played a song, I don't remember what song it was, but I played a song from the speakers and immediately she said, “Oh, turn it off. Turn it off. I can't listen to this. Just please turn it off.” And I was a child, so I was like, “Why? This is a great song.” And I turned it off, of course, but I was curious. And then she told me that she had listened to that song a lot when her father had passed. So, it just brought her straight back to the space she was in during that time. And that was my first experience with the power of music. I didn't know that was possible. For me being so little, I didn't have any songs that would take me back to anything. I thought that was kind of crazy, that music could do that. So, from early on, I was just really fascinated with music and connected with it.

ALLIÉ: Defined as ‘a guardian of light who fell in love with the night’, what is it about the dark that draws you in? For you, what value does the darkness hold?

FRED: Yeah, so I realize that line in particular may be a bit misleading as it's not so much about me ‘championing the night’. It's more of ‘accepting the darkness’ and finding ways to maneuver through the night in order to hold onto the light and anything that you might cherish and hold dear. So, it's more of an acceptance and being honest with myself, It’s saying that this is going to be a part of my life. This is how it's going to be, and if I can't deal with this, then I'm definitely going to lose all of the things that I hold dear as well. Also, not metaphorically, the night has held my favorite hours in terms of the time that I feel the most creative and connected with whatever's out there. It is a special time for me. It feels like, “Okay, the rest is going to sleep. It's just me and you now… and the stars is up there.” it's just a special time for me. It's the only time that I' write my songs. I write in the night.

ALLIÉ: Your debut album is entitled ‘Rage At The Dying Of The Light’, for which a performance poet like myself can only resurrect thoughts of Dylan Thomas with his epic poem ‘Rage Against The Dying Of The Light’. Please share the story behind this album.

FRED: The title is 100% from that poem. I just made it a bit shorter. I didn't want such a long album title. As I was writing these songs, it was clear what they were about as individual songs, but it wasn't as obvious to me what the message was behind the whole thing. And as it was beginning to take shape and feel like a full body of work, it was getting more and more clear that it was really about finding ways to maneuver through the night and the darkness in order to hold on to the light. And I was just thinking more and more about that poem, which is really a perfect description of the album.

“It’s more of ‘accepting the darkness’ and finding ways to maneuver through the night in order to hold onto the light and anything that you might cherish and hold dear.”

Exclusive Interview w/Fred Smiles

https://awarenow.us/podcast/at-the-dying-of-the-light

“It’s okay to have boundaries.”

ALLIÉ: Well, it’s a great title. The album really evokes a lot of emotion that inspires a lot of different thoughts and almost dares you to go deeper.

FRED: I also feel it embraces the darkness as well, and that's the only way to tackle it. So, it carries such power too.

ALLIÉ: I like how you just said to ‘embrace the darkness’… almost to pull it around you, because if you don't fear that, then what could you fear? Yes?

FRED: Yeah, for sure.

ALLIÉ: Let’s end with your first. Your first single released was titled ‘Deviate’. What were you trying to say with this song? What do you hope people will take away from this track?

FRED: This is one of the more direct songs in terms of the messaging… I was just trying to say that it's okay to stay true to yourself and to not just let things happen at the expense of your own heart. It's quite easy to let things happen at your own expense. I need to please this person, or I need to please this idea or that fantasy… And it becomes such an expense to yourself that after a while you just become completely lost. So, it's about following your heart and staying true to yourself. In the first line I say, “Follow your scars for directions.” It means use whatever pain you've been through and whatever experiences you have with feeling hurt as a pathway to guide you through whatever it is you're dealing with.

It's okay to have boundaries. It's okay to say no to people, and it's okay to say no to certain things. And that's certainly a journey too, to realize that it's okay. It can be really hard. And sometimes you just do things where you betray your own heart. You just end up really lost and hopeless. So, I guess if I wanted to have something that people take out of it, it would just be a reminder that it's okay to do whatever's best for you. ∎

I get to be an artist in my own way.

CRISTINA GONZALES WINEMAKER & FOUNDER OF GONZALES WINE COMPANY

Photo Credit: Kathryn Elsesser

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CRISTINA GONZALES

THE REVOLUTIONARY A WINEMAKER FORGING HER OWN PATH

The granddaughter of migrant farm workers from Texas who moved to Wisconsin to pick cherries in search of a better life, Cristina Gonzales comes from a long lineage of those who work with their hands. With her own two hands, Cristina has worked to create a career and a life for herself and her son in Portland, Oregon as the founder of Gonzales Wine Company. As a Latina winemaker, she strives to serve and inspire underrepresented communities.

ALLIÉ: Every passion stems from a story. When it comes to your passion for wine, Cristina, please share the story about that bottle of Malbec paired with an Argentinian steak in South America that started it all.

CRISTINA: Everything started with my background. And that starts with a family history. My dad's family was a migrant farm-working family from Texas. So they were there before the border crossed them, originally from a border town Piedras Negras in the state of Coahuila. And we still have relatives that are in Texas around Colorado City and Lorraine, Texas. So they started down there as cotton pickers picked watermelon, basically whatever was in season. My grandpa and my uncle Henry moved their families to Wisconsin. They migrated there to pick cherries and ended

Photo Courtesy: Cristina Gonzales

CRISTINA: (continued) There’s still a lot of racism and discrimination. Granted, it is more diverse than Oregon and Portland. That was a time of assimilation. So language was lost between my generation and my dad's. My dad only spoke Spanish with his parents. And we as grandkids always heard Spanish at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We were immersed in food and more Mexican-American culture or Tejano culture, but we never learned it. So that was one thing that was missing as far as who I was. In college, I decided to major in Spanish in international studies, and the cheapest place for me to go was South America. It was cheaper than going to Mexico City. So I ended up in South America studying abroad. I loved it so much that I went back as a backpacker and ended up in Chile and Argentina. It was during those times when we would have to go and renew our tourist visa from Chile. So, we'd take the bus to Mendoza and go wine tasting.

During that time, I was over 21. Not that it matters too much down there, but at that time, we started drinking a lot of box wine and just drinking wine in general. And I was like, "Oh my God, this is really good." I've always loved food. I've always loved to cook. That's one of my love languages and the way I show love. So when we were in Mendoza, Argentina one weekend, and we went out to eat. You literally look at the map of the cow, and pick out your cut. There's this whole notion that it's got to be that one bottle for a winemaker. It was never that one bottle. It was the whole experience that I had. I literally can't tell you what bottle of Malbec it was. It was a carafe of Malbec at the table that I had with my filet mignon. It was just the whole sensory experience of being with friends, the music, the smells, and the alchemy of the food and wine. That's what sparked my passion for wine and was part of the main motivator. It stoked my curiosity about wine production. So when I moved back to the United States, that's when I started getting interested in wine and started asking questions. My parents now live in Santa Rosa, California, which is Sonoma County, a prime wine country. Then I just started to work in a tasting room and worked my way up the ladder from there.

ALLIÉ: That is awesome. I love how you say it was that alchemy. It wasn't just that one signature bottle, but it was that signature experience that wine does offer. Converting your passion into your profession, you wear many hats in the wine industry as a lot of people in the industry do before becoming a winemaker. My question is speci fically about the winemaker hat that you now wear. Of all the parts, what is your favorite part about being a maker of wine?

CRISTINA: I guess the creativity. I get to be an artist in my own way. I was never super crafty or into DIY stuff or drawing and painting. It's like my medium. It's how I bring my gifts into the world and get to show it to other people. I'm a very independent person and I've always been super driven, disciplined, and motivated, and I get to be my own boss. I appreciate and value it, and I'm super grateful, as hard as that has been because it does take a lot of perseverance and resiliency. I'm still broke most of the time, but I get to be me. I get to make my own hours. I still get to be a mom. So the creativity side of that, and the autonomy and the independence of being self-employed keeps me going. This is still something that I want to do almost 20 years later.

ALLIÉ: That does say a lot. It takes sacrifice, and it takes a fortune. It's pricey.

CRISTINA: You have to start out rich to be in this industry. We're in an industry where your overhead costs are ginormous. As we're moving into the modern-day winemaking and wine industry, it's not made for low-income

“It was just the whole sensory experience of being with friends, the music, the smells, and the alchemy of the food and wine.”

This is our family business, and he literally has his own label.

CRISTINA GONZALES WINEMAKER & FOUNDER OF GONZALES WINE COMPANY

Photo Credit: Gilbert Terrazas

CRISTINA: (continued) entrepreneurs. It is made for people who come from money and who have money or are in a wine family. There's a lot of adversity there, and it takes a long time. But this is what I want to do, so I keep going.

ALLIÉ: I love it. To your point, 20 years later, you still want it, you are still thirsty for it, you still have that fire. It's not easy. Being a female winemaker isn't easy. Being a single mom isn't easy. That being said, being a single mother who is a winemaker is not easy. It can't be. That intersection when it comes to that of winemaking and parenting, what has been the most difficult for you, Cristina?

CRISTINA: Childcare. Trying to find childcare is still by far the hardest part of all of this. It's constantly a struggle to find something because we're not a white family. I'm lucky that my parents come up for part of the harvest if they can and help. That's really helpful because they can help and it's free. My co-parent has increasingly become more agreeable to helping out on times when I am in harvest mode. We don't have any grandparents around and that cuts costs for both of us. But yes, the hardest thing is to juggle how I'm going to go haul grapes. It's a seven-hour round trip for me to go pick up grapes in Washington, how am I going to get back and process this? And if it's my week, then how am I going to pick him up? We're lucky to have aftercare after school, but how am I going to pick him up, who's going to pick him up, if I've got to work late at night, who's going to feed him dinner, that has been one of the biggest things. He's able to be with me at the winery now, so I don't feel like I'm not spending time with him. This is our family business, and he literally has his own label. He has his own wine, which you're drinking right now. He can share into that. But it just has been childcare and the cost of childcare as well.

ALLIÉ: Let’s talk about values. Here enters AHIVOY, an Oregon nonprofit working to empower vineyard stewards. Serving the underserved and underrepresented is another passion of yours. Please share what this nonpro fit does and why it’s so important.

CRISTINA: AHIVOY is an acronym for Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad, which is, the Hispanic Association of the Wine Industry in Oregon and the community. Our organization was founded in 2018 by Jesús Guillén, Sofía Torres-McKay, and Miguel Lopez. They were colleagues and friends, Latinos, and saw our people, our vineyard stewards who are predominantly Latino and mostly Mexican and indigenous Mexican in Central America as well. They saw our vineyard stewards and the vineyards and wanted to do something. These people are the reason why we can make wine. They wanted to do something to acknowledge, show respect, and recognize the hard work that our vineyard stewards and farm workers do. They decided to start AHIVOY, which is, like you said, a nonprofit here in the Willamette Valley. We provide a 16-week education program through Lin field College and Chemeketa Community College to give them college-level courses taught by bilingual professors. They learn about all the whys of what they're doing in the vineyard and what happens after grapes are picked. Because many of these vineyard stewards, both men and women, have never been given the answers or the opportunities to ask questions. The recent ones are why we're shoot thinning, why are we pruning, why are we dropping clusters, and why are we doing estimates out in the vineyards. We are giving those answers to the whys.

They go to class once a week for, like I said, 16 weeks. It's all day. They're learning new vineyard practices. They'll go into the winery. We do field trips to different vineyards and different wineries. They're learning about the business aspect of it too, the hospitality side, how to open a bottle of wine, how to taste, how to smell. They're allowed to get their server permit here in Oregon if they want to. We offer a WSET Level 1 program. It's basically giving them the knowledge to know that if they want to do something outside of the vineyard, that there are opportunities and resources and people willing to help and support them.

ALLIÉ: Such a fantastic program to be able to give vineyard stewards the opportunity to fully understand and appreciate the fruits of their labor… and for the industry to appreciate, recognize, and support them. Now that we talked about values, let’s talk vino. Let's talk specifically about the 2022 release of The Revolutionary Rosé. Something that perhaps we didn't know about Petite Verdot is that it can be unexpectedly elegant, case in point with this bottle of wine. What’s the story behind this bottle?

Photo Credit: Kelsey Curtis

CRISTINA: I started The Revolutionary label when Julian was born in 2014. It all started with a small block of Petit Verdot that I had found in a vineyard where I was getting grapes when I was making wine in California. I just wanted him to have a birth wine. I had never worked with Petit Verdot before. I knew very little about the grape itself. Besides that, it was a blending grape just like Malbec was. But a lot of my wine-making style is very much like trying and seeing what happens. That's basically what I did with 2014, the first vintage of the Revolutionary. As it aged and matured in the barrel, it just turned out to be this lovely, and as you said, elegant wine that just blew my mind. Then I just decided to keep on going with it. But in that process, I wanted to represent where Julian was born. That's where the picture of Emiliano Zapata comes in. When I left the wine industry, it was a year when I didn't make wine while I was pregnant, but we moved to Chiapas Mexico, and were living there for three years. Chiapas is the southernmost state in Mexico and the base for the Zapatista movement. Not everybody knows anymore about this because the nineties are dated now, but still seems relevant and not so far away. They tried to overthrow the Mexican government in the early 1990s. They're still present in Chiapas. Their inspiration was Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary who fought for agrarian reform and indigenous rights. Part of the Zapatista movement's mission is to keep the land with the indigenous villages and cultures that are there. That was important to me to have on there because again, like I said, that's where he was born. Both my ex-husband and co-parent were Mexican-American. So, we wanted something that represented our heritage and our culture. This has morphed into a wine of respect and acknowledgment of our vineyard stewards as I just mentioned. Because not only do they instantly recognize the label, but many of them are Mexican and of indigenous cultures. That's where the label started. We then just did the Red Verdot. Then in 2020, I decided that I wanted another sku. A lot of my wine-making is also innovation and budget. Like I said, we're in an industry that's pretty darn expensive. So I try and think of ways to make more wine with the grapes I have. It was a suggestion of a colleague of mine when we were making wine, and I didn't have enough room in the fermentor. She's like, "Why don't you do a Rosé?" And I was like, "Oh, yeah, I should totally do that." So we saignéed two barrels of Rosé, and that was the first Rosé of The Revolutionary. I've done Rosé in the past, Rosé of Malbec, but this was the first Rosé of Petit Verdot, and I was just incredibly surprised at how well it came together. All of the white wines are fermented in barrels. They're all neutral barrel ferments and native yeast. I've just been very pleased and surprised about how wonderful these wines are coming along. And for 2022, because I also love aromatic whites, I topped it up with Gewürtztraminer and Riesling, and it just added that very nice, beautiful lift to it So yeah, I'm really pleased with that bottle. I'm glad that you like it.

ALLIÉ: Well, I'm beyond pleased with it! A second part to this question is in what ways does the wine story pair with your own story? Is there a way that it's similar to your personal story at this point?

CRISTINA: Yes. There has been a big reckoning that I've had as an adult and also just as growing up. Growing up personally and professionally and believing and leaning into me, into myself, knowing that everything that I need is right here, and, being confident in my experience, my wisdom, and my knowledge, now that I am almost 20 years into this, I am feeling finally confident enough to be around the other big kids who went to university and got their degrees and traditionally did things. It’s knowing that my internships and my hands-on experience is just as valid as their degrees. Just as an adult and as a person, I think going through big life changes and coming out even better than I was going into things stronger and more secure in myself. So, it's been a beautiful evolution, and there is this grace and wisdom of having it all right here in me. Now being able to forge that path and open the doors and build the table,

“It’s been a beautiful evolution, and there is this grace and wisdom of having it all right here in me.”

CRISTINA: (continued) not just make room at the table, but build a table for people who look like me and are from marginalized communities to know that wine is not a high-reaching goal. It's there for all of us if that's what you want. It’s not being afraid to fail and take risks and ask questions, failure is probably one of the best things that can happen to somebody. At the moment, it seems detrimental and feels like you're going to die, but it's from failure that you learn these wonderful, beautiful lessons. You fail, and guess what? You're still okay. So I think that's some of the big things for the intersectionality of wine and my evolution as a person.

ALLIÉ: So beautifully said. Thank you so much for sharing that. We'll end this way… For those who want to do something revolutionary in the wine industry or just in the world in general, from your lived experience, what advice do you have? What does it take to make it?

CRISTINA: There's a dash of grit, a couple of teaspoons of perseverance, motivation, discipline, and bravery. Like I just mentioned, it’s not being afraid to fail. A huge thing that I never did that I wish that I would've done was ask more questions and not be afraid to ask questions because that's how you learn. If you don't ask, then you don't know. That little recipe has gotten me this far. You just take the risks. The worst is that you fail, and then you learn this beautiful thing from that, you pick yourself up and you're still okay. ∎

“The worst is that you fail, and then you learn this beautiful thing from that, you pick yourself up and you’re still okay.”

Kids are much better at achieving flow than adults.

DR.

TODD BROWN

FOUNDER OF THE INSPIRE PROJECT & CO-FOUNDER OF OPERATION OUTBREAK

’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY DR. TODD BROWN

THE SCIENCE OF FLOW

MINI PAUL MCCARTNEY TEACHES US A LESSON

As I walked around the local park approaching our swan, duck, and goose pond, I saw a small child walking with his grandmother. Without warning, he began to belt out what I can only guess was an original song he had created in his head. It went like this:

Chop, chop, chop, Pullin’ out my wee-nie

Chop, chop, chop, We’re going to Chi-na Pizza!!

I know, right?! Check off the lyrical genius box. While this future number-one hit struck me, what was even more impressive was his grandmother’s reaction. She did nothing. She just smiled, walked alongside the miniature Paul McCartney, and let it be (sorry, but I had to). Mini-Paul was dancing and singing and was so engrossed in his own world that his grandmother allowed him to stay there. Scientists call this flow, and he was flowing, to say the least.

For the unfamiliar, flow is the optimal state of consciousness where one feels and performs best (1). Being so absorbed in an activity that time ceases to exist. Before long, hours of incredible progress have flown by. That is flow. According to Steven Kotler, Executive Director at the Flow Research Collective, flow is not necessarily a random phenomenon but what he calls a meta-skill. Flow is a high-order skill enabling us to learn skills and improve existing ones. Like any skill, the more time you spend doing it, the better you can become (2).

Research shows the more time spent in flow, the more one can achieve a flow state in all aspects of life. There are both psychological and physiological bene fits flow provides, so spending time on hobbies or something that we genuinely enjoy could be more productive than we realize. We are in flow throughout our lives, sometimes without realizing it. Someone may enter flow while cleaning their house, reading a book, writing, or exercising. When getting ‘sucked into’ an activity, it can help hone the skill of flow. The more time we are involved in an activity that creates flow, the better we can get into flow during other activities. Essentially, we train ourselves to get into flow by being in flow.

Flow is highly beneficial as the action works as a nervous and immune system reset. Control and mastery are the most potent positive emotions someone can experience. Flow consists of both phenomenological characteristics. As a matter of fact, science has shown that “the neuro-immunological health bene fits of these emotions arise from the close relationship between the nervous and immune systems, leading to an increase in the production of T cells and natural killer cells, which fight off disease and target tumors and other sick cells” (3).

While reading this, if you are trying to think of a personal example of flow, remember your childhood. Kids are much better at achieving flow than adults. Not only does one’s ability to achieve flow diminish over time, but we’ve also trained ourselves out of it. As kids, we can remember all kinds of things that, as adults, we think are boring. But many times, for people, there is an activity that stands out from the rest that is absolutely loved and would still love if there was the time to do it. More than likely, that is your flow activity.

Mini-Paul was in flow. He was having fun. Too many adults get hung up on larger things like happiness and joy, but fun will take you as far, and it’s generally cheaper to obtain. But, over time, we lose the ability because we doubt ourselves. It’s much like the faulty mindset that we cannot draw as adults. Think about it for a moment. Not only is drawing universal, but it also comes before the ability to read and write. We can understand and create two dots and a line or arc to make a face at an incredibly young age. Our brains are wired to draw and recognize drawings. We draw on everything for every reason. We draw on walls, arms, and windows to remind ourselves of something, pass the time, show directions, and even describe what we saw to the police. We draw as infants, but as time passes and we reach adulthood, we train ourselves out of drawing. Many of us, as adults, say we can’t draw. But we all can. We only think we cannot draw when comparing ourselves to others. We all can draw, and many of us find that we enter flow while doodling or coloring, but we don’t realize it.

Much like the lyrical genius, mini-Paul, adults must prioritize time spent in flow. It is a subtle way to live a more productive and healthier life. As adults, we focus on the serious and business aspects of our lives and tend to deprioritize flow activities, or worse, we completely forget them. But the science behind flow is real. By making, not finding, but making time to prioritize non-work activities, someone may enter flow. AND, if you’re not careful, you might find yourself not only having fun but being healthier. So come join Mini-Paul and me while we eat pizza in China. Just leave the weenie out of it. ∎

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

2. https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/research?

3. https://assets-global.website-files.com/5dedbc53e942e760c24af013/6401ea388f2d07832dbc0b40_ first-few-seconds-of-flow.pdf

DR. TODD BROWN

Awareness Ties Columnist

www.awarenessties.us/todd-brown

Brown is a winner of multiple education awards, including the U.S. Congressional Teacher of the Year Award, U.S. Henry Ford Innovator Award, Education Foundation Innovator of the Year, and Air Force Association STEM Teacher of the Year. Dr. Brown is the creator and founder of the Inspire Project and cocreator of Operation Outbreak, which was named the Reimagine Education Award for Best Hybrid Program in the world. He is also an Education Ambassador for the United Nations and an Educational Ambassador of the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

“As adults, we focus on the serious and business aspects of our lives and tend to deprioritize flow activities, or worse, we completely forget them. But the science behind flow is real.”

Photo Credit: Heloisa Vecchio

ORIGINAL POETRY BY JACK MCGUIRE

SACRED

you were created with beautiful and magical insides one day this ugly world will not be able to distort your inner beauty we all face demons in our lives i have a lot of pain

i’ve been hurt and broken but my soul remains in tact when you are ready i’m here you are not alone i will not let you be you are sacred

For any achievement or challenge which has been overcome, a large part of the credit goes to the support networks.

PAUL S. ROGERS

TRANSFORMATION EXPERT, AWARENESS HELLRAISER & PUBLIC SPEAKER

THE GENIE’ EXCLUSIVE

COLUMN BY PAUL S. ROGERS

COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU A STORY OF SACRED SUPPORT

Release The Genie Fact:

If the Genie misspells a word, the Oxford Dictionary changes its spelling.

This issue, ‘The Sacred Edition’ got me thinking… What do I hold truly sacred? What are my core values? And what are my non-negotiable in life?

This is a great opportunity for us all to take stock of things, check that we are still on our path, or become aware that we have been blown into one of the many side streets and cul-de-sacs of life.

In days gone by, my life as a commercial lawyer was spent mainly in negotiation, either on the phone or in person, with the other side’s lawyers. At Law School we were given as practical as possible tuition of negotiation. I have had great fun, since those days, teaching and running role-playing negotiations with students on my adult education programs.

One of the things which is vital to get crystal clear before any negotiation is your BATNA, your Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement. In simple terms, that is the best agreement you could hope for instead of negotiation. This then forms part of your strategy and is your non-negotiable. This does not just apply in business, but also in your personal life. For example, deciding where boundaries are drawn and what you can expect to do.

Visualize this in the sporting arena. In a tennis match, one person serves from the baseline and the other receives at the opposite baseline. These represents the BATNAs of which, if the ball goes beyond the line, it is called out. Anything that falls inside the line is playable. In negotiation terms, this area is known as ZOPA, the Zone of Possible Agreement. In reality, this is where the majority of our lives play out.

One of the key lessons that I have learned from negotiation, doing it myself and also from role play, is the importance of accurately recording what is agreed. To emphasize this with my students, I used to conclude a session of negotiation role play with a well earned coffee break. When they came back to their desks, I would ask each side to explain what they thought they had agreed on. Every single time, what one side thought they had agreed on, the other side then disagreed with it. Unless you record what you hold sacred, or what you think you have agreed, it can all be in vain.

I realize that one of my non-negotiable has been my friends and family, who continue to help and inspire me even when the going is very tough. I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without them, and I think it's fair to say that, in almost every case, for any achievement or challenge which has been overcome, a large part of the credit goes to the support networks.

I'd like to emphasize this with another sporting analogy. I coach rugby for the English-speaking High School where I live and I am also a keen fan of Rugby Union. So let’s use rugby!

‘RELEASE

COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU

Written and Narrated by Paul S. Rogers https://awarenow.us/podcast/couldnt-do-it-without-you

“Their sacred role is acknowledged.”

When the ball goes out of play, it needs to be thrown in. This is called a line out because both sides line up with seven people, one meter apart, to contest the ball which is thrown in by the hooker. Yes, that is the correct sporting name, honestly!

The team that throws the ball in is expected to recover it. During this part of the play, there is a player who is the jumper, who, you know, jumps for the ball. He is lifted by two other players, to their shoulders’ height, so he catch the ball before the other team does.

The rules of the game are that no one is allowed to touch the jumper whilst he’s in the air because of the height he could fall from. There is a further rule that extends to the players who are lifting the jumper, neither one of those can be touched as this would take away the jumper’s support and lead to a serious injury. The life lesson here is that the supporting players are protected. Their sacred role is acknowledged. Without their assistance and strength, the jumper would not be in a position to compete. The same applies to every one of us. If it were not for our supporting lifters, we would not be in the position to compete for what we hold sacred in our life.

To all caregivers and support networks, thank you. ∎

PAUL S. ROGERS

Transformation Expert, Awareness Hellraiser & Public Speaker

www.awarenessties.us/paul-rogers

PAUL S. ROGERS is a keynote public speaking coach, “Adversity to hope, opportunity and prosperity. “ Transformation expert, awareness Hellraiser, life coach, Trauma TBI, CPTSD mentor, train crash and cancer survivor, public speaking coach, Podcast host “Release the Genie” & Best-selling author. His journey has taken him from from corporate leader to kitesurfer to teacher on first nations reserve to today. Paul’s goal is to inspire others to find their true purpose and passion.

For me, facilitating the process of learning and discovery about oneself through the voice is beautiful and sacred, intimate, something supernatural.

NICOLE TAYLOR

FOUNDER OF CREATIVITY THROUGH MUSIC

THE GRACE OF SOUND FEATURING FOUNDER OF CREATIVITY THROUGH MUSIC, NICOLE TAYLOR

Nicole Taylor, teaching artist, operatic soprano and founder of Creativity Through Music, has a vision to bring more beauty into the world one musical experience at a time. Whether through music education for students, facilitating artsbased team-building for employees in corporations, developing cultural programming for international community outreach, or teaching one-on-one in her private studio, Nicole listens far beyond perfect pitch and tone. She perceives the spirit of each student, encouraging creativity, exploration, celebration of successes, forgiveness in failures, and most importantly, that they learn to love their voices. “Teaching someone to sing, especially classical music, is like mapping a thumb print,” Nicole shares, “No two voices are alike. Regardless if the person can sing in tune or not, the pure sound of each voice puts the listener in contact with the emotional being of the singer. I truly believe that every person has a beautiful voice.”

As an educator, she compares teaching someone to sing to holding a piece of glass or crystal up to the light. At the right angle, all the hidden colors show themselves. “A single music note is actually a combination of many sound frequencies that our brains organize, so we can make practical sense of them… Much in the same way that light is a combination of the many colors that create a rainbow.”

Nicole shares that the more connected a singer is to the feeling of sound vibrations resonating through their face, skeleton and throughout the entire body, the richer and more luminous the “color palette” of their voice becomes. There’s a technical term describing these harmonic overtones as the “singer’s formant”. However, as listeners, this moment of wonder is an experience granting entrance into the emotional world of the singer, not just through words that are sung, but through the very sound itself.

Grateful for the intense training she received at The Juilliard School, Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA, and across Europe, she acknowledges her parents and her primary teachers, baritone Vladimir Chernov, Olga Sergeyvna Chernov, Cynthia Hoffman, Irene Gubrud, Dr. Barbara Dyer, Dr. Robert Page, Peter Kazaras. However, the educator that had the most profound effect on her is the one who taught her how to sing to God, remembering the Spirit of God always being present when she sang.

Her college voice teacher, Mimi Lerner (who passed away at 61 from a rare heart tumor), was head cantor at Rodef Shalom Synagogue in Pittsburgh. She saw something special in Nicole and invited her to join the quartet of singers who accompanied Saturday morning worship services at the synagogue. “In Judaism, worship services are primarily sung. We were heard, but not seen, hidden up behind the organ. I learned so many important insights during those 5 years on how to be a professional musician. The most valuable lesson by far was hearing the sincere devotion with which Mimi sang her worship. Every week, whether ten people or hundreds were there, she always sang with the same reverence, longing and love for the Lord. It was remarkable and it was right.”

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.” - Psalms 96:1

‘THE DECIDED HEART EFFECT’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY SONJA MONTIEL

NICOLE TAYLOR

FOUNDER OF CREATIVITY THROUGH MUSIC

20 years ago, I imagined the trajectory of my life much differently.

These lessons in sacredness through music had a profound effect on Nicole as an artist and on her spiritual life. Music has been and continues to be integral to her relationship with God, her pursuit of His presence, and her desire to create a safe place for others to experience the same. The throughline of her life has always been worship. Nicole shares, “20 years ago, I imagined the trajectory of my life much differently. My goal was to be a ‘famous opera singer’, singing in the best theaters, because that was supposedly the mountaintop. That was what was presented to me, and what everyone around me was aspiring to, but that isn’t what happened. I faced quite a few failures and closed doors.”

When a childhood trauma rose up to the surface in her late 20s, she felt compelled to draw closer to God, instinctively knowing that God would heal her mind and heart. Not knowing how at first, she tried many things – meditation, yoga, energy healers, different spiritual practices, all of which required her repeated effort to experience only momentary, empty peace. Then one night, Nicole had a dream. She shares, “Jesus Christ came to me and said these words, ‘Leave behind everything you have been doing and FOLLOW ME ALONE.’ And so, I did.” Immediately, Nicole felt longing and urgency to be baptized. “It was the most profound experience I’ve ever had,” Nicole shares, “The Peace I received, that ‘passes all understanding’, is persistent and independent of my effort, but rests on God’s pure love and grace. Receiving the Holy Spirit was an entrance into purity. Jesus Christ came to me then and has stayed with me ever since.”

Since then, her focus has been to glorify God through her life, her work, her singing, her relationships. “There are times when I’m working with a student or a group of students, and while they are singing, I observe tension that needs to be released. I might place my hand on a student’s shoulder or abdomen, and their tears just begin to flow. Soon after, their God-given sound appears naturally, effortless and anchored. For me, facilitating the process of learning and discovery about oneself through the voice is beautiful and sacred, intimate, something supernatural.”

Nicole’s latest endeavor is founding Creativity Through Music, a cultural consulting agency that serves corporations, community organizations, and schools through:

Cultural Diplomacy & Arts Advocacy

Creativity Consulting & arts-based team-building for healthy company cultures

Music Education & Community Outreach

Concerts & Cultural Events

Understanding the transformative potential of music, Nicole endeavors to harness the soft power of the arts in government through international cultural diplomacy, to normalize the integration of artists as innovators in the business world, and to bridge the gap in access to quality arts education, particularly for those facing socio-economic challenges. She actively collaborates with international schools, community centers, and other arts organizations to advocate for the importance of arts education and ensure that creative opportunities are accessible to all.

“There are times when I’m working with a student or a group of students, and while they are singing, I observe tension that needs to be released.”

THE GRACE OF SOUND

Written and Narrated by Nicole Taylor & Sonja Montiel https://awarenow.us/podcast/the-grace-of-sound

Nicole firmly believes that there should always be an ‘artist at the table’. “Artists in general, but especially musicians, have mastery in skills which are highly sought-after and transferable in diverse domains - discipline, perseverance, dynamic communication, social-emotional intelligence, the capacity to conceptualize and synthesize complex patterns, project management, entrepreneurial mindset, attention-to-detail, focus and thriving in high-stress situations, the capacity to receive constructive criticisms and make immediate changes, not to mention the continual pursuit of perfection with consistent delivery of successful outcomes!”

Internationally, she continues to represent the United States abroad as an Arts Envoy, building cultural bridges through the arts. Stateside, she is Regional Network Leader for the Teaching Artists Guild. She is the new Artistic & Program Director for “Bridge To The Arts”, a pilot program made available to 17,000 students in Oxnard Union High School District, in collaboration with Oxnard Performing Arts Center (OPAC) and sponsored by California Arts Council. She also recently founded Music at Portside, a chamber music concert series in Ventura County, filling a gap for classical music performances in the Central Coast region. ∎

To learn more about Nicole Taylor:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletaylorculture

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-through-music

Instagram: @creativity.throughmusic

Teaching Artists Guild: www.teachingartists.com/about

SONJA

Co-Founder of The Decided Heart Effect

www.awarenessties.us/sonja-montiel

SONJA MONTIEL has served more than twenty-one years in the college admissions profession, having extensive experience in the areas of freshman, transfer, and international admissions. During her time working with thousands of teens and young adults worldwide, she began to witness many societies creating an unhealthy college-bound culture that misguides our young people in their pursuit of living a life of ful fillment. In 2021, Sonja met Hilary Bilbrey to begin something amazing. They created The DH Effect – The Decided Heart Effect with a mission to guide individuals, schools, and organizations to build high-trust relationships and belonging through self-discovery and personal accountability.

MONTIEL

TAP/SCAN

Photo Credit: Allié McGuire

ORIGINAL POETRY BY ALLIÉ MCGUIRE

BEYOND THE LIGHT

Into the unknown

Beyond the light, Past clearly defined Wrong or right, A calling was heard

Within the dark, A dare to explore To make your mark.

Over and over I have learned that the mind is the last to know.

BY KATHERINE WINTER-SELLERY

DANCING WITH THE DIVINE THE SPIRIT, MAGIC AND MYSTERY OF LIFE

I remember sitting in the backseat of my grandmother Gaga’s Buick in New Orleans as a little girl crying about how someone hurt my feelings and she would say, “Let’s put the gris-gris on um honey,” and I would snuggle up close to her and we would laugh and laugh, all my hurt would go away, a silly childhood spell. I assumed everybody had a Gaga that knew how to cast spells.

My Aunt Donnell spoke about New Orleans as a Banana Republic within the United States of America, alluding to its use of the Napoleonic Legal code (Spain and France owned Louisiana at different times, some of each of their legal structures created what is the code) not to mention its corrupt political landscape and the legendary Huey P. Long. In the 1700’s Voodoo arose when enslaved West Africans merged their religious rituals and practices with the Catholic population, Voodoo-Catholicism and New Orleans became synonymous. A religion connected to spirit, nature, and ancestors. I was born in a city that is fascinated with the connection of spirit, magic and mystery.

When I think about my Colorado upbringing, where we moved when I was 5 years old, it had none of the rich and complex history, or the underbelly of New Orleans. I got the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains, clean living, big sky, the great outdoors. Interestingly, cutting edge magic, “thinking at the edge” is also woven in those mountains! Seeds were sown everywhere, awareness coming! It would take a couple of decades.

Spirit, magic and mystery.

A poster for Semester at Sea (SAS) caught my eye on a bulletin board at University and I just knew I had to be on that ship! Fall of 1980 we sailed under the Golden Gate bridge to circumnavigate the earth and return 3 ½ months later to Florida. Nothing could have prepared me for all that would follow. Over and over I have learned that the mind is the last to know.

The ship would sail into so many harbors, none as spectacular as Hong Kong. One of the deepest natural ports in the world, the crown jewel of the British Empire at the time, and our launch pad to Mainland China. China closed its doors to foreigners in 1949 and had only just opened them before our ship arrived. My friend Faye and I walked the streets of Guangzhou, mesmerized by the big screen TV’s broadcasting the trial of Jiang Qing, leader of the Gang of 4 and wife of Mao Tse Tung who had seized power during the Cultural Revolution from 1966-1976. My arrival was one of the biggest turning points in Chinese modern history. I was captivated by all of it!

Returning to the University of Denver I started taking Chinese language (there were 4 of us in the class) and dreamt of moving to China on graduation. My dad gave me Berlitz Spanish in a briefcase for Christmas and tried to convince me that I would be better off in Mexico! Then a miracle happened. He was on a flight and sat next to a woman writing a letter in Chinese. He mentioned my love affair with China and desire to live there after graduation. Mrs. Chen and her husband fled China during the communist takeover in 1949 and settled as professors at Harvard and MIT leaving all their family behind. It happened her brother was the Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province and ironically that Mrs. Chen had wanted her daughter Karen (who had grown up in Connecticut on swim team, was all American, a student at Harvard and had little interest in her Chinese roots) to go to China and discover her roots. Ha ha! When the plane landed all it took was one phone call and Mrs. Chen’s brother arranged for Karen and I to have teaching positions at Hangzhou University. We moved there in the Fall of 1983.

‘CONSCIOUS PARENTING’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

KATHERINE WINTER-SELLERY

FOUNDER OF THE CONSCIOUS PARENTING REVOLUTION

Everything he said resonated.

“Looking back now, 37 years later, I see that it was all divine.”

I majored in Political Science and minored in History. I knew something about Chinese history, yet I became part of that history when it was being written in the Fall of 1983. It was the beginning of the anti-foreigner cultural pollution campaign; we were the pollution! Shortly after arriving we were each assigned Communist party monitors (there were only 11 foreigners in the entire province from various countries, US, Germany, Japan) who would accompany us everywhere and report back to the Party each Saturday on our activities, encounters, and behavior. For the first time in my life, I was treated like a criminal, a dangerous person, anyone who visited us in the “Foreign Experts Compound” where we lived would need to “dengji”, register their name and details at the door. Few were prepared to take the risk. My dreams of friendship and connection with the locals turned out to be almost impossible, doing so put them at risk of fraternizing with bourgeoisie, western contamination and almost certain banishment for reeducation. Nothing in my life prepared me for this Kafkaesque experience. Nevertheless, I was enthralled and ended up staying in China another year after my teaching position ended.

If it hadn’t been for my older sister having melanoma that metastasized, I’m not sure I would have returned to the USA, however, I wanted to be near as she took on this life-threatening illness. In 1985, I came back to be with her and at the same time started law school. It was her passing at the end of my second year of law school when I really started to dance with the divine.

Grieving deeply from her passing, I could not focus on tax law or anything other than the existential questions of life. WHY, WHY, WHY? My brother had died by suicide when I was in high school 10 years earlier and I had met that tragedy by doubling down on being an over achiever, but the loss of Melanie was an unimaginable tragedy for our family and we all lost our bearings. At 38, with a young son of 10 years old, and a deeply committed husband, her bright light was gone.

To this day I don’t know how her "Course in Miracles" book got into my car, but my interest in the bigger “What’s it all about Alfie?” questions consumed me. I took a leave of absence from law school, rented a cabin in the woods outside of Boulder in a town called Nederland (from a recognized native American Medicine man incarnate in the body of a Jewish guy from NYC, who was invited to the Indian reservations in the summertime for months at a time) and did my version of chop wood, carry water.

Looking back now, 37 years later, I see that it was all divine. I found a Course in Miracles (CIM) group and we met weekly, someone in the group connected to the Emissaries of Divine Light (EDL) in Loveland, Colorado (they were edgy, had built a Buckminster Fuller chapel, been doing organic gardening already for 50 years, were the oldest intentional community in the country, founded on the principles of a Judeo-Christian understanding with an emphasis on personal responsibility). Our CIM group went up there for a Sunday service and Martin Exeter, the spiritual focus of the group happened to be there that day giving the talk. I nodded my head throughout. Everything he said resonated.

With my CIM group we took local EDL courses and then some of us decided to fly to EDL Glen Ivy Spa & Resort in Southern California to attend their 3-week course in the Art of Living. Marilyn Hanson picked us up at the airport and I would later learn that on returning she went down to the design studio and said to John Sellery, “I just met your future wife!”

After my 3-week class ended I wasn’t ready to leave, in fact, I would stay for another 8 months. Then one day I woke up and I was complete. I knew my time was done there. I had had a chance to find a bigger context, to heal from my loss, and I was heading back to Colorado. I missed John and reached back out to him after settling back in Denver. I thought I would finish my last year of law school, but life had something else in mind.

Opportunities tied into China kept appearing and I couldn’t force law school to fit back into my life. I couldn’t escape that China and I are bound. John moved to Denver, and we married. It was June 1989 (33 years and two precious children later, we’re still enjoying our union). I started a company trading old newspaper and cardboard (largest export in volume from the US) to China and backed by Denver local Henry Strauss. Deals had me going back and forth to China in the summer of 1989 when some Chinese traders kept asking me to buy their non-ferrous metals (which I knew nothing about).

I made a few calls, spoke to some companies about the metals, nothing came of it. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, one of them called me up 6 months later, said they wanted to open an office in HK, were looking for an American who spoke Chinese and had some trading experience, remembered me from our conversion, and did I want the job?

When I spoke to John about it, he said, “Yes, let’s go. I am an architect, and there will always be work for me! Not to mention, I grew up on Chinese stories!” His dad was born in China in 1923. His grandfather was a doctor, and he and his wife moved to Sichuan province as medical missionaries!!! Honestly, if I didn’t live it, I wouldn’t believe it.

I spent the summer on business in China with this new employer as the protests at Ti ā n' ā nmén Square’s "Gate of Heavenly Peace" was building momentum. No one imagined the massacre that occurred, and the tragedy had my firm wondering if ‘business as usual’ would happen again and so they postponed our move.

Eventually, in the Fall of 1989, John and I would move there and set up shop. What we didn’t know is that we would still be there. Our kids are 3rd culture kids, both born and raised there. John’s architectural practice is based there with offices all over China and now the world.

Turns out I have spent my life dancing with the divine. I look back on Melanie’s passing and realize that she didn’t just gift me the Course In Miracles. With her passing came the crack and the space for the divine to whisk me down the river on its journey for me. It’s been more adventurous and wonderful than I could have imagined. And the dance goes on, with so many other unbelievable “chance” meetings and opportunities, those are for another day! ∎

KATHERINE WINTER-SELLERY Founder of the Conscious Parenting Revolution

www.awarenessties.us/katherine-winter-sellery

For over 20 years, Katherine has taught and coached thousands of parents, educators, social workers, and medical professionals in half a dozen countries through her popular workshops and coaching programs. Katherine is a 3x TEDx Speaker, and Amazon best selling author of “7 Strategies to Keep Your Relationship With Your Kids from Hitting the Boiling Point” as well as her workbook A Guidance Approach to Parenting. She has been featured on local television shows across the US and a guest on over 40 podcasts. In addition, she is also a trained mediator, is certificated in different trauma models, teaches a breathing meditation modality with the Art of Living Foundation, ran her own commodities-trading business in Hong Kong for 30 years, and is on the Board of Directors for the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). IAHV has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2002, and contributes to the 17 Strategic Development Goals of the UN.

“Honestly, if I didn’t live it, I wouldn’t believe it.”

FEATURE STORY WITH ENDA O'DOHERTY

TRIUMPH OVER CHALLENGES 8 LESSONS FROM A WASHING MACHINE

In a world brimming with motivational speakers and endurance athletes, there exists an exceptional individual who has redefined the boundaries of human potential. Meet Enda O’Doherty, an Irish sensation synonymous with resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. A true testament to the power of the human spirit, Enda's incredible journey and his groundbreaking Ted Talk, "Lessons from a Washing Machine," have left audiences in awe, sparking a revolution of change and inspiring millions across the globe.

Enda O’Doherty, hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Ireland, brings more than just his words to the stage. His Irish roots infuse his storytelling with a unique blend of warmth, humor, and authenticity. The moment Enda starts speaking, his audience is captivated, as if they were sitting around a cozy pub fireplace, listening to tales of old. His accent carries the cadence of his homeland, adding an extra layer of charm to his narratives.

“When we ask ‘why’, we open a door.”

—the inevitability of setbacks and the choice to rise above them. With genuine humility, he shares his own struggles, from battling alcoholism to confronting mental health issues, creating a safe space for others to embrace their own stories of resilience.

"Find your why," Enda urges, as he speaks about the power of purpose. He doesn't just preach about discovering one's purpose; he embodies it. His determination to carry a washing machine across Ireland, while seemingly whimsical, was driven by a deeper mission—to destigmatize mental health issues. In his words, "When we ask 'why,' we open a door." This door, once swung open, reveals a path illuminated by unwavering determination.

As an Irishman, Enda possesses the legendary gift of storytelling. He shares gripping tales of conquering Iron Man races and ascending Mt. Kilimanjaro with a washing machine on his back. Through these adventures, he emphasizes that focusing on solutions rather than problems can lead to transformative results. He challenges the audience to shift their perspectives and find the courage to overcome their obstacles. Enda’s journey becomes a vivid example of how an indomitable spirit can triumph over even the most seemingly insurmountable challenges. Amidst the grandeur of his accomplishments, Enda brings it down to earth with a touch of everyday wisdom. He shares his devotion to doing 10 push-ups every time he visits the restroom, accumulating to an impressive 32,000 push-ups a year. This practice serves as a reminder that lasting change often stems from small, consistent efforts—a principle that resonates across all facets of life.

Enda O'Doherty’s Ted Talk isn't just an address; it's a transformative journey. His Irish heritage, combined with his profound experiences, fuels a passion that ignites motivation and perseverance in all who have the privilege of hearing his powerful message. He concludes his talk with a resounding call to action: to pledge to never settle for mediocrity, to shine as the stars they were meant to be, to embrace challenges, and to seek growth in every moment.

In a world where voices often blend into a sea of conformity, Enda stands out as a beacon of authenticity, reminding us that our individual stories are what truly define us. As an Irishman, he channels the legacy of resilience, creativity, and determination that his heritage embodies. Through his Ted Talk, Enda O’Doherty invigorates the spirit of triumph that resides within us all. His tale of conquering challenges, as illustrated through the unlikely metaphor of a washing machine, beckons us to scale our own metaphorical mountains. ∎

988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

HELP IS AVAILABLE. SPEAK WITH SOMEONE TODAY.

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are afecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

One call with my then husband, his voice quivering, remains etched in my memory.

‘UNSUGARCOATED’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY AALIA LANIUS

A CALL FOR UNITY EMBRACING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

In July 2006, a momentous event unfolded in Beirut, Lebanon, as my then sister-in-law celebrated her wedding day. Representing our family was my then Palestinian husband, as our infant son's well-being took precedence over the arduous 18-hour plane journey, causing me to stay behind in California. This occasion marked his return to a land he had last visited during his youth amidst the tumultuous civil war. I recall his feelings of apprehension mingled with anticipation as he headed back to Lebanon, a place once called the “Paris of the Middle East”.

Our conversation, once he arrived, filled me with relief. His amazement and elation at Beirut's transformation over the previous 15 years radiated through his words. After a week of joyous wedding festivities concluded, it was time to return home. But, as he stood in line, waiting to board a plane back to San Francisco, the ground shook. At first, he thought it was an earthquake. Soon he realized it wasn’t – Israeli forces had without warning, unleashed a bombing on the runway.

Reality soon set in. Chaos ensued, and the cab ride back became a threefold challenge. In the ensuing week, my husband and numerous family members navigated from shelter to shelter, seeking refuge from Israel's indiscriminate bombing. The backdrop to this turmoil was the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah at the Lebanon-Israel border. Regrettably, the innocent lives lost, and the shattered infrastructure would bear the brunt of a con flict that should have spared them.

Halfway across the world, I remained glued to my phone, frantically monitoring the news. The plight of numerous traveling Americans, about 25,000, including my own family, appeared to have been overshadowed. Determined to shed light on the dire situation, I reached out to various news stations. Soon, they were all at my doorstep, eager to unravel the story of a Bay Area family, including my sister-in-law and her husband, trapped amid the turmoil.

One call with my then husband, his voice quivering, remains etched in my memory. The feeling of helplessness weighed heavily, yet it fueled my determination to secure their safe return. It became my mission to raise awareness about the unfolding inhumanity and injustice.

Time passed, and through collective effort, my family fortunately emerged from the crisis unscathed physically, though I cannot speak to the emotional damage caused.

The value of peace on an international level is immeasurable and profoundly impactful. Though it’s not until our peace is threatened, that we truly feel the weight of that impact. Within my American born community, outside of those in the military, not many have watched peaceful existence crumble before their eyes, much less be caught in the middle of an international conflict or feel directly threatened by one—but I have, and it caused me to directly be confronted with the critical issue of international peace.

For me personally, peace is not just a concept that requires us to sit around the camp fire and sing kumbaya. It’s the foundation for stability, progress, and the well-being of societies and nations across the globe. Here are some key aspects of the value of peace on an international scale:

Humanitarian Well-being

Peace directly contributes to the protection of human lives and the alleviation of suffering. In regions of con flict, people often endure displacement, violence, and scarcity of basic necessities. Peaceful conditions allow for the delivery of aid, access to healthcare, education, and the overall improvement of living standards.

Economic Prosperity

Peace fosters economic growth and development. Countries at peace can focus on trade, investment, and innovation, leading to higher living standards, job creation, and poverty reduction. Stable environments attract foreign investment, encourage entrepreneurship, and enhance global economic cooperation.

Social Progress

Peace enables the progress of societies by creating a conducive environment for education, cultural exchange, and scientific advancement. It empowers individuals to realize their potential, pursue their aspirations, and contribute positively to their communities.

Political Stability

Peace provides a stable foundation for democratic governance and the rule of law. It enables citizens to engage in political processes without fear of violence or oppression. Peaceful transitions of power and the protection of human rights are more likely in societies that prioritize peace.

Environmental Conservation

Peaceful cooperation between nations is essential for addressing global environmental challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Collaborative efforts can lead to the implementation of international agreements and the preservation of natural resources.

Cultural Exchange and Understanding

Peace facilitates cultural exchange, dialogue, and mutual understanding between nations. This helps break down stereotypes, prejudices, and misconceptions, promoting tolerance and fostering a more interconnected world.

Prevention of Conflict

Peace acts as a deterrent to conflicts that can have devastating consequences, including loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of populations. Diplomacy and negotiation become viable alternatives to violence in resolving disputes.

Human Rights

Peace is intricately linked to the protection and promotion of human rights. It enables individuals to enjoy their rights to freedom, equality, and dignity without fear of repression or violence.

Global Collaboration

Peace fosters an environment where nations can work together to address shared challenges, such as pandemics, poverty, terrorism, and transnational crime. Collaborative efforts are essential for achieving sustainable development and ensuring a safer world for all.

The value of peace on an international level cannot be overstated…

Creating international peace requires a multifaceted approach rooted in diplomacy, cooperation, and con flict prevention. Nations must prioritize dialogue over confrontation, embrace diplomacy and negotiation as the primary means of dispute resolution, and respect international law. Promoting economic interdependence and addressing social inequalities can reduce incentives for conflict. Robust international institutions and treaties should be strengthened, fostering cooperation in areas like arms control, environmental protection, and human rights enforcement. Education and cultural exchange should foster mutual understanding and tolerance among diverse societies.

Ultimately, the pursuit of global peace necessitates a commitment to shared values, the rule of law, and a collective effort to address the root causes of conflict while respecting the sovereignty of nations. In essence, the value of peace on an international level cannot be overstated, especially if you’re hoping to never experience what I did in 2006. It is a cornerstone of human progress, prosperity, and the realization of a more just and equitable world for present and future generations. ∎

AALIA LANIUS Producer, Award-Winning Writer & Host

www.awarenessties.us/aalialanius

AALIA LANIUS is an International Multiple-Award Winning Novelist, Executive Producer, Publisher and host of the award-nominated globally top-rated social good show, UNSUGARCOATED with Aalia. As founder of UNSUGARCOATED Media, a 501(c)(3) media enterprise, Lanius is creating social impact through storytelling while building community, providing education, and ending isolation for trauma survivors. Aalia's role extends to leadership as a creative, and she is considered a thought-leader in approaches to media, believing that artists are pioneers of the human mind with great potential and responsibility to positively in fluence society through proper representation and accountability.

The show must go on.

CARRIE RATHBUN HAWKS PRESIDENT OF RATHBUN PUBLIC RELATIONS

THE ATHENIAN WITHIN BECOMING & SUPPORTING WOMEN LEADERS

ALLIÉ: Before we lead, we follow. When you were a young woman growing up, Carrie, who did you follow? Whose path did you follow before making a path of your own? Was it one person in particular, or did you have a village?

CARRIE: First and foremost, I am a child of God. He is my guiding light. My faith is strong. He has led me through some very difficult days. In hard times I look backward at how often he’s carried me; led me to the people or through the doors to where I needed to be. In good times, I give thanks for all his blessings. So, he’ll always be at the top of my list!

My sister and I were always supported by our parents and grandparents, telling us we could do whatever we put our minds to; things they wished they’d done. High academic achievement and going to college were expected (“You’ll go to college and then we’ll talk about whether you want to go or not,” my father would joke.). So I was venturing out into the world to continue with life’s lessons. And boy, were there many! But that’s another story.

I mostly put myself through school with the help of grants, scholarships and multiple jobs. My parents helped as they could with books, groceries and paying for a few credits here and there. It was in college that I found myself “following” people who were genuinely interested in my success as my parents had been: From the public relations director who spoke at my first PR class and answered every one of my questions – then handed me her business card and asked me to call her about a summer internship; to the manager of my residence hall who helped me get a special loan for housing my senior year when my dad lost his job (and I lost my financial safety net), to the second person I interned for who introduced me to a local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and what would become a network of trusted mentors and peers who would help me get my first and other PR jobs and leadership opportunities. They rewarded my curiosity and hard work. They demonstrated what opportunity and compassion looked like. I knew then that those were traits and values I wanted to have and share with others whenever I could. They were leaders each in their own way, setting an example to a young, aspiring woman who wasn’t exactly sure how to make her dreams come true. I still remember each of those people today when I look back on how far I’ve come.

ALLIÉ: Obstacles, no matter what field you’re in, are unavoidable. In your career, as a woman, what has been the highest hurdle you’ve had to clear, Carrie? What about in your personal life?

CARRIE: Let’s talk about my career hurdle first. It’s been fear – that I wasn’t strong or good enough, despite considering myself a fairly confident and capable professional. Was I good enough to tackle a project given to me that wasn’t something I’d done before? To manage a client meeting alone for the first time or rebuild a floundering networking and professional development program for young PR professionals? Was I strong enough to find a new job when I knew I needed to make a change? Strong enough and good enough to get jobs again after losing mine first to corporate restructuring and then again to governmental budget cuts? To start my own business after becoming a mom and eventually realize I didn’t have to take just any client, especially ones who didn’t respect the expertise I brought to the table? It’s not that men don’t face some of the same fears. But women are held to a higher standard; sometimes a

“What is honored in a culture will be cultivated there”. With that Plato quote as a guiding principle, Martha Mayhood Mertz founded ATHENA International in 1982 to honor women leaders and bring balance to leadership voices worldwide. One of these honored Athenians is Carrie Rathbun Hawks, a change agent, public speaker and communications specialist with over 30 years of experience.

“I try to give grace to others, as compassion, love and hope have been given to me.”

CARRIE: (continued) double standard. We are expected to be super women, especially as working mothers. Well, guess what? We’re NOT! And you know what? We’re kickin’ ass and takin’ names at the same time we face – and with unbridled determination make it over – those hurdles. There are still days when I try to fit into that silly costume though.

The personal hurdles? Oh my. So many. But I’m cool with talking about them. Nobody gets through life unscathed. It’s what you do with those challenges that matters. There were the daily migraines for four years after Brady was born and just as I was starting my business. Kicked those to the curb, thanks to Cleveland Clinic. Then came the hasty misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder at 40. Because of a psychiatrist who didn’t take the time to really pay attention and get to know me, I was put on a cocktail of drugs that led to a near nervous breakdown, hospitalization and Serotonin Syndrome, which I’ll live with for the rest of my life. My brain chemistry is forever altered. A super-smart therapist and the good Lord got me to an amazing new psychiatrist who figured out that part of my issue is genetic. It has taken several years to get back to normal. But he never gave up on me, and I never stopped advocating for myself. Mental health is important and we don’t deal with it well in this country.

I’ve traveled the road of having addiction in my family. My mom was a prescription drug addict for the last 20 years of her life, leaving my sister and I to be “motherless daughters.” (My therapist taught me that one!) With the help of that toughlove therapist, I finally stepped off the merry-go-round of dealing with an addict and began the hard journey of facing a new and very different relationship with mom. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do – hands down. It meant standing alone when other family and friends weren’t ready to get off the crazy train. Not having the support and guidance I’d always hoped for after my son was born. Doing my best not to enable or be manipulated. She had a disease that had changed her. I grieved someone who was still living. That has been the biggest hurdle of all. She died suddenly 11 years ago. It still took several years to forgive her, but I am so thankful for the peace I feel having gotten to that place. The good memories of mom before addiction overtook her are replacing the more recent bad ones.

Breast cancer knocked at my door twice. Again, with the support of my faith, family, friends and a wonderful team of doctors, I came through with flying colors. Sometimes I feel guilty saying I’m a two-time cancer survivor because mine was caught at stage zero. I didn’t have to endure radiation or chemotherapy. Two mastectomies and reconstruction did the trick. Hurdle conquered. But the emotional journey my family and I went on was scary and life-altering.

Pretty much all of these life and health issues happened while running my business. The show must go on. Work was a great distraction. Being my own boss meant having the flexibility to deal with the curves and hurdles in the road. But it couldn’t be a reason to hide. You still have to come to terms with your own reality. I’m a stronger, more faithful and grateful person as a result of it all. I try to give grace to others, as compassion, love and hope have been given to me.

ALLIÉ: You made a career and a name for yourself in communications. In over 20 years with your own agency, Rathbun PR, and more than 30 years in the industry, what have you gained that has prepared you most for your next chapter with ATHENA, where your path will take on a new level of purpose by providing leadership training to women?

CARRIE: I’ve gained courage, gratitude and more faith in myself. I’ve also learned to trust my gut. Some people think that’s easy to do. Well, not for me. I’m a work in progress, but I try to pay more attention to how my body physically reacts to things and notice – and not as quickly dismiss – the voice in my head that says, “Hmmm…maybe you’d better not do X, Y or Z.” I also know I have it within me to drive change. It’s that rear-view mirror thing again. When you are doubting if you’re going to get through something, think back to all the times you did. I’ve found that oftentimes things aren’t as bad as we think they will be.

No one gets this far in their career and takes a leap of faith without the support of other humans or God. Regardless of the nature of the relationship, or if you even recognize that you’re being influenced by someone, you always take

CARRIE: (continued) something with you from an interaction. I’m all about asking the opinions of my family, friends and trusted colleagues. I’m not afraid to be in a room with people smarter than I am. My husband reads almost every new business proposal I write. Many glasses of wine and good meals have been had with the people in my life with whom I’ve shared career growth, personal journeys and change of all kinds. We lift each other up. We challenge each other. They’ve believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. When you’ve got a cheering section, you’ve gained the safety net we all need. You finally get to a place where you say, “Yeah, I’m doing this, even if it doesn’t work out.”

Becoming an ATHENA Certified Facilitator started by realizing I’d successfully built my public relations business but wanted something more personally. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished over these last three decades. It is certainly rewarding. But there was a void. I’m most fulfilled when I’m doing something that helps someone else navigate a personal hurdle or find within themselves the power to grow. Reflecting on my professional and personal journeys, I felt called to use what I’d learned to make a difference for other women who might be going through the same things. I really want to empower and transform.

In 2018, I was honored with the ATHENA International Leadership Award. You don’t win this award. It’s bestowed upon you for outstanding leadership, community service and empowering women of all ages personally and professionally. I’d seen many women in my community receive it and always hoped that one day I’d also have one of those statues. But even when it’s handed to you, you know there are others who are equally or more deserving.

It wasn’t enough for me to just put the statue on my shelf. After all, to whom much is given, much is expected. So I got involved in some local ATHENA programs and took advantage of a webinar or two through ATHENA International. I felt drawn to the organization’s mission. In 2022, I was fortunate enough to meet ATHENA International President and CEO Traci Costa. When I shared my yearning for a new adventure, she strongly encouraged me to take the Being ATHENA Leadership Cohort. So I did. It was exactly what I had been looking for. I believe God put her smack in the middle of my path for a reason. She also told me about the option of becoming certified after the cohort. Well, I knew I was going to go down that road after only a couple of weeks in my class (there are 10 total). There was no doubt. It was an experience that was as empowering and enlightening as the cohort. So here I am today, because God isn’t done with me yet!

ALLIÉ: There are leadership courses, and then there are leadership models. A course starts and ends. A model is crafted and continues. When it comes to leadership, there are many models. What is it that makes ATHENA’s leadership model so special?

CARRIE: It’s incredibly introspective and personal. The knowledge gained, the self-reflection explored and the relationships built within the alumni community of this program have caused profound shifts in the lives of participants. Incredible women find new depths of self-understanding and recognition, and new levels of achievement and accomplishment. They have reported finding the confidence to negotiate for raises, promotions and added responsibility. They have received promotions, raises and added responsibility even while going through the program.

ATHENA International is a catalyst for developing diverse, transformative leaders worldwide through experiential programs that ignite, amplify and celebrate girls, women and allies (men) — from young scholars to seasoned professionals. At the heart of everything is the established ATHENA Leadership Model, driven by the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership:

Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Act Courageously, Advocate Fiercely, Give Back and Celebrate

The gold-standard ATHENA Leadership Programs give individuals and organizations the tools and knowledge needed to sustain and grow a global community of transformative leaders. Along with following the principles, ATHENA International puts every participant through the scientifically sound Predictive Index Assessment to determine their motivating needs and behaviors. Each cohort delves into the trusted principles and individuals’ PI results, under the guidance of a vetted and trained ATHENA Certified Facilitator. Participants explore their own core values and authentic leadership styles while networking, participating in rich discussion and developing workforce skills. Cohort members will be provided with opportunities to lead, connect with their communities and self-reflect as they hone their inter- and intrapersonal skills.

Are we so afraid to look up to see who is in front of us and smile?

Photo/Video Credit: Daniel Diosdado

FEATURE PERSONAL STORY WITH VANESSA CALDERÓN CONNECTION A MOMENT SHARED WITH A STRANGER

What would happen if we could connect for a minute with a stranger?

What would happen if we could connect for a minute with a stranger? Are we so afraid to look up to see who is in front of us and smile? Are we so busy that we can not live our life’s exploring other options? Are we so shy that we don’t know how the other person may act?

This is my story about what would happen if you connect with a stranger on the street and share a moment…

Directed by: Vanessa Calderón (@nessacalder)

Cinematography by: Daniel Diosado (@daniel_diosdado)

Actor: Jonathan Villanueva (@actorjonathanvillanueva)

Music from: uppbeat.io

Follow Vanessa on Instagram: @nessacalder

Photo Credit: Hatfield Media