Though times are a changing, I know that when I went through my own #metoo moments, people didn’t believe me either, thinking I was being dramatic. However, after sitting in  numerous AA meetings hearing about blackouts and how people do not remember those events, well this gave me hope in thinking that my former partner didn’t remember his crazy, nasty behavior.

All the things I thought were my wounds, I now know that this wounding is my greatest teacher for stepping into the North Wisdom Keeper White Buffalo on the Medicine Wheel,  the subject that I am consumed with these days and for which I am giving two new talks at East West Book Store in Mountain View on July 7,  and at New Renaissance Book Store in Portland on July 14.

Now understanding all those experience and “wounds”  is what defines how I work with people in my coaching practice,  appreciating them beyond anything I could experience even when I turned 50; now I am finally letting go of the pain.

Now I realize that my childhood was a spiritual independent gift; I was the first latch key key of a divorced parent out of 450 kids in San Francisco’s St. Agnes School. I had a life of freedom, taking buses to ice skate and to the roller rink, to folk dance in Stern Grove, to swim at 48 Ave and to ride bikes to the De Young Museum & to the beach.  (My mom didn’t know most of this, as I wasn’t supposed to be doing these things, or at least I didn’t ask).  I loved traveling in San Francisco now looking back! I use to have my sad story but now it is one of my greatest strengths.

Also, there were those moments of being ridiculed that I would become a bag lady as I was going through a divorce has given me the strength to be out there for other women who have been abused or belittled for their feelings and for being an empath; now I understand the struggle of it all.

Now, I am coaching some women who are addressing turning 50; what I figure is stepping into the North on the Medicine Wheel, just the start of letting go of our old story. One of the questions I have on my coaching questionnaire is “Are you sick of your story?’ We have all lived our story, feeling the sadness and pain as we tell it; what if we let go and use this very story for that moment of wisdom and empowerment ? What a thought!

I watched the Royal Wedding this weekend and found it to be a sign of strength and hope for our world, showing that love makes a difference. Then I saw the Wedding Music Awards honoring women and the men who support us. Kelly Clarkson pleaded that we stand up for change and still be that spiritual person with inner beauty, strength, and wisdom. There is change in the air; let’s make it all happen.