As Dimensions Shifts Embracing Love & Compassion
Launching a lovelution is just the beginning. Who we are (how we show up in the world to ourselves and others) and the experiences that result have an impact, often defining us.
Identity is the lens that has helped me make sense of who I am and how I view the world. While I came to understand this more philosophically in college and more poignantly in graduate school, my reality exposed me to it much earlier. It’s a toss up of which dimension I experienced first—race or gender; yet what is now clear is how I am seen in the world has influenced my experience.
Whether it was being the only one among my peers with nappy hair (something I now take pride in); or wearing a dress the day we had to take cover due to a tornado, giving an older boy the opportunity to take a peak; or having to choose only one box when asked to select my race on my first standardized test, I can now see that identity played a role. As I move full-speed ahead with envisioning the intrinsic and extrinsic value while I create content for Jillybeads 4 Justice’s first eCourse— (DYASS), my own experiences with identity are surfacing.
In particular, I have gained some clarity on how my mindset shift—5 Keys to Embracing Your Own Personal Lovelution is expanding to a shift in my own identity. The best metaphor I’ve come up with to express this shift is to say that I can feel the “season” in me changing. I can no longer deny or postpone the fact that my job is ending in two and half weeks, transitioning me to full-time self-employment. While I’m trying to enjoy these last weeks of perceived “stability” with the freedom and responsibility ahead, I’m also struck with the simultaneous transition into my third trimester of pregnancy, which brings with it the exhilarating certainty that my focus will solely be on keeping another human alive in just over three months. In other words, I value my roles (what I would now frame as one of many personal dimensions of identity) as daughter, sister, friend, community builder, and justicepreneur; yet, I find myself turning inward to prepare for my new role as mama.
What began as the traditional tasks of “nesting” (e.g. reorganizing closets and space to make room for the newest member of our family) has become clearing out the emotional and psychological “clutter” that’s associated with the various dimensions of both my personal and social identity. This is where the raw emotions of self-doubt, hurt, resistance, abandonment, and pain have surfaced leaving me to wonder if I’m truly cut out for this sometimes challenging work I’ve defined for myself that doesn’t always fit into a nice pretty box. Then I’m reminded that I’m not alone in this struggle. And, the struggle and challenge is where the learning happens.
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In fact, I’m embracing that not only have I lived this content, I have also learned over the last 14 years how to discuss, frame, and explore it. While this lived experience and learning is what will make up the DYASS eCourse, the reality is that this work of exploring one’s identity is never done and I too will be joining you on this journey. Yes, at times this exploration can be difficult and challenging AND it’s exactly what I want to be doing—assisting others to find their authentic voice, tap into their desires, and ultimately, step out and…
BE Courageously BOLD!!!
If your interested in learning more about Jillybeads 4 Justice’s first eCourse—, then click . Humbly, I also ask that you please share the link with those who might be interested in learning more or signing up for the course.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments below.
In solidarity,
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