It’s Holy Fools Day! Let’s Ditch Deadlines and Grab the Lifelines
I can’t let April 1 pass without greeting you! I know you’re out there and sensing at a deep level that–somehow, some way–we are in the awakening of a lifetime. And that we’re being asked to make history, not just watch it.
If you’re not yet familiar with Holy Fools Day, it was inspired by Joseph Campbell’s statement that the Holy Fool is the most dangerous person on earth and the most threatening to all hierarchical institutions. Holy Fools follow their own inner compass to do what needs to be done and do it, no matter what. Their actions make a difference in creating a more just and sustainable world in support of all of life. Since 2014, I’ve been hosting annual online events to shine light on the inspired action of Holy Fools in the Transformational Speaking community. (Meet them here.)
Now here we are at April 1, 2020, and I’m postponing the Holy Fools Challenge (and the grand prize that will thrill you … stay tuned.) Because the truth is, I am unable to whip up my annual Holy Fools fervor and face a deadline. My fierce and feisty oscillates to flat and feeble and–thankfully! sometimes!– back to festive. I’m deep in the Well of the JourneyWell® wheel as illustrated in my March 20 message to you about “A New Rhythm for New Times.” It’s time to grieve and withdraw for a bit to reflect on and integrate this non-negotiable life experience that has upended our lives.
My teacher Angeles Arrien often spoke of the danger of normalizing the abnormal, because then we abnormalize the normal. We have normalized the abnormal by putting the growth of the economy over the health of people and our planet. By ignoring the giant Ponzi scheme that takes and takes from the earth without replenishing while we witness the horror of California, the Amazon, Australia on fire and don’t listen to science or connect the dots. By tolerating lies and grandstanding from those who pledged “to serve and protect.” By allowing the ridicule and hatred of those who are different, or dismissing the plight of children in cages and all those who saw America as a beacon of hope. The list goes on. Now we have the great equalizer of a pandemic to get us to step back, feel our heartbreak about a world out of balance, and take stock of our values. When the dying ends, may we not forget.
Today I am eschewing deadlines and embracing lifelines. I’m honoring principle #6 of Transformational Speaking:
We must be personally sustainable to do the work of change. Practice extreme cherishment of your precious, worthy self.
As we learn to live life in a new way, let’s shore up our inner resources. Here are the lifelines that are sustaining me right now: [find them at the bottom of the blog post]
And may we never forget: As Holy Fools, we were made for these times. We wanted a grand awakening of humanity and here it is! Let’s not just watch history unfold, let’s prepare to make history!
For now, as O’Donohue continues,
Let me know how this call is loosening your roots in false ground. How you are becoming free of all you have outgrown. And when I write again, know I will be calling for your grand Holy Fool story and asking for how you are living it right now!
P.S. Here are some Holy Fools Day gifts to support you as you step into a larger identity of who you are and what is possible!
- Original Medicine: Naming and Claiming your Original Gifts. When I last wrote, someone responded they couldn’t find my offer. (That’s because there wasn’t one!) So use the code Holy Fools 2020 to receive half off the Original Medicine teaching, which is the foundational module of our Online Academy. If you want to “transform your relationship with your voice via the deepest stirrings of your soul” (that’s how Fast Company described Transformational Speaking) – sign up for this two-month exploration and Gail will work with you on two community coaching calls to support you in naming and claiming the gift of essence you bring to the world. Transformational Speakers stand in that knowing to express their gifts in the most challenging of times.
- Radical Self-Trust: How to Fully Trust Your Medicine and Use it for the Greater Good Here’s my 2019 interview with Patrick O’Neill with the Transformational Speaking Online community. May it support you in meeting the Holy Fool Call to Adventure with a holy YES! as you step out of yesterday’s certainty into tomorrow’s possibility.
- And a third, my Lifelines as I reach out to others to support me as I drop into a new rhythm.
My Lifelines
I’m finding this wild ride requires I remain aware of a wide range of needs. Here are some of the resources that are sustaining me right now –in addition to time in nature, playing with Paqo, and journaling most days.
- Daily Heartmath discussion and meditation with Jeff Benton and friends
9-9:15 am (Pacific) 7days a week
https://zoom.us/j/471167430; Meeting ID: 471 167 430 - The Chi Center, Online programs with Master Mingtong Gu for movement and moving energy. Register for free event on April 4!
- Pam Chaloult, Intuitive coaching and wise counsel with support for embodiment.
- Mama Sezz, Healthy food, delivered fresh and ready to eat. Vegan, my choice since December 2018
To enjoy the ease of your own vegan plan, check out Dr. John McDougall for medical information, eating plans, and recipes. This is how I started and I haven’t looked back! - Jane the Virgin on Netflix – hours and hours of some of the most amusing and creative storytelling ever!
- And just in! My friend Joan Borysenko is sharing stories of human goodness that can heal and inspire and change your brain by calming down fear centers. As Joanie says, “Stories heal, and they heal the storyteller.
Join her list to receive these stories free in her Pop Up Chapel of the Heart.
I’m also amusing myself with TP photography. Here are my first attempts:
Take care everyone!
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