A lot is happening in the world right now and in my own life.

Some of it is heartbreaking. 

Some of it's hopeful and exciting (more deets on that soon!).

Much of it feels uncertain and complex. 

And in the beautiful mess that is being alive in these times - there is this ember inside of me.

It's a part of me that I've been tending alongside others over the past four years. 

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It's the grounding in my values,

the wisdom in my body, 

my inner knowing,

my 'creature self' and what I want underneath all the 'shoulds'.

It's my efforts to decolonize,

to remember interconnection,

to make space for the sacred,

to step out of the mould of what a perfect '_______' looks like.  

It's the breath I try to take before I react.

The 'no' I can say (more often) without guilt.

And my efforts to listen deeply to the call on my life and what I want it to mean.

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And while I've been tending to this part of me more in the last four years than I have at any other time, it still flickers quite often.

I know it could easily be smothered (and sometimes is) when my inbox overflows, a loved one is sick, I say yes too many times, or reading the news simply wears down my hope.

Our world can be so overwhelmingly noisy, demanding, and complex.

And for me to see all the other beauty that comes with that - I've come to see that I need to fiercely protect that reflective, sacred, grounded part of me.

Doing that takes persistent care - care that I rarely regret.

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While many small and important things offer that care (time in nature, time with loved ones, open space, creative practice, moving my body, etc.) - I've come to see that one of the most important is intentional, continual connection in meaningful community.

And when I say meaningful community I mean the kind that can reflect back my values.

That keeps me questioning what I want my life to be.

That inspires me to be more brave, more trusting, more hopeful. 

A community where we can weave threads of mutual aid and support.

With humans that I have known through many seasons.

Who fill the table we share in more ways that one.

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This is the kind of community I need - now more than ever.

And it's a community I'm ready to be changed by - through the unexpected possibilities of what we will co-create.

So that's why I'm calling in a community like this through my new creative project - 🌱 Rewilding Leadership.

It's an in-person first, Ottawa-rooted, group mentorship and leadership collaborative sprouting Oct. 2024 - June 2025.

If you are in the Ottawa area - consider applying to join us.  An exquisite group of humans has already stepped forward - with space for a few more. 💗

And if you aren't in this area or it doesn't align, I'd invite you to think about what kind of community would support your visioning, deepening, and reconnection right now. 

What kind of community would help you fiercely protect the ember inside of you?

If you can't find it - here's a gentle nudge to value it enough to start calling it in.

With hope and in community,

Jess

p.s. Registration closes Oct.9th for Rewilding Leadership, or until the five remaining spots are filled. 💛

Not in the Ottawa or don't want to hear about Rewilding Leadership? Click here to turn off emails where I talk about it.

👋🏻 Hi I'm Jess and I'm honoured to be in your inbox. I’m a coach, educator, ecologist, and mother. Creating communities and designing transformational experiences is my art and what brings me alive. I’m passionate about the inner work that leads to outer change, and everything nature has to teach us. 🌱 I created the Ember Circle as a refuge where you can rewild yourself while supporting others to do the same... listening more to your body, slowing down, redefining success, and letting your heart lead. 💛 ​ Ways to work with me ​Join Rewilding Leadership - an Ottawa based leadership collaborative​ ​Book a 1:1 clarity session to explore your path of alignment Find me in other places ​Linked In ​ www.embercircle.com​

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