It was a big deal

One of the most significant moments of my life was a few years ago, when we held a coming-of-age celebration for my daughter.

When it was happening, my daughter wanted more than anything for it not to be inflated into too big a deal.

Yet as we hurried-scurried around the house preparing to depart for the ceremony – Do you have the tablecloths? Did you remember the gifts? – we were at a pitch of excitement I hadn’t seen since our wedding. 

It was a big deal. 

What we asked of my daughter was simple and profound: prepare food and serve it to everyone there, and do not eat any of it yourself. We had to remind her many times to trust she would have plenty to eat at the potluck offered by everyone there.

Through the food she was demonstrating her willingness and ability to serve the community. 

At the same time the community offered her many gifts and blessings. 

The ceremony, which I learned from Lyla June Johnson, felt so meaningful because it affirmed both her uniqueness and her place in community. 

The dance between individual and community is core. 

Here are some signs your balance between self and community needs attention: 

• In caring for others needs you have forgotten your own.

• No matter how much you play with your look or hair, you don’t feel satisfied or like you fit in. 

• The people you are around don’t light you up.

• You know nearly none of your neighbors or people in your surrounding community or work circles.

Growing up in rebellious Berkeley, I absorbed a skepticism of fitting in. Yet I have always been drawn to community life. I fell in love with traditional dance and qigong because they emphasize being part of a bigger whole – nature, community, and cosmos.

It is also when I am dancing or working with my qi that I feel most distinctively myself.

Your essence is both unique and Universal. 

My joy is helping people like you connect with and draw from that essence in order to be in service to others.

With big love,

emily