I want to tell you what I am up to! I have had a number of clients and friends who’ve commented or ask about my absence from Storm Wisdom. I have gone from being there 5 days a week, to an hour or two each week. When I am there, I am frequently in my office., as that is where the “admin” stuff like payroll, accounting, and bill paying occurs.
It is my way of keeping a finger on the pulse.
I am not physically present.., but energetically I feed, nurture, and love Storm Wisdom… and the Storm Wisdom family as much as ever. Maybe even more.
So I am still part of it, and it is part of me!
However, more and more, my baby-business is growing up! It is becoming more and more independent. Gisela who manages the Center, along with Millie and Mary Helen who each provide their own unique signature and support have embraced their own version of owner/stewardship. They are an amazing team.
So like any parent or guardian whose offspring is ready to strike out on their own, I have turned my attention back on myself. I began asking the question, “What’s next”?
Last year I committed to being more present. Which as you know if you follow these weekly musings…, has been hugely transformative for me. It has allowed me to see how easily my mind (followed by triggered emotions) distracts and distances me from many experiences, by filtering it through projections into the future and anchors from the past.
I am nowhere near the 100% mark for staying present… but I am so much further along than I have ever been.
And interestingly enough, when I am present, I am more connected with my home and family. It is where I experience and am aware of the beauty, bounty, and belonging that fills my life. And I want more of all of them.
I am sure part of this is amplified by the loss of my mom last October. As much as I feel her energies and presence around here, it is not the same. I am happy for her and feel like not only was she ready to go.., she actually pulled off her transition exactly the way she prayed or planned to. Quickly… and loving and being loved by her children, while she still remembered who we were and who she was. Let’s face it dementia can be cruel… but our time together here in Phoenix is such a gift and something I treasure.
That brings me to what I am up to now.
A LOT of my family speaks Spanish and many of them speak only a basic amount of English. And as much as I love them, and they love me.., we can’t always communicate in ways that would allow us to go deeper. The small details of daily life. The stuff that is not worth translating as it is casual and fleeting. I want to be able to engage and enjoy the richness of everyday nothingness.
So I am going to San Miguel de Allende for three months this summer to do a Spanish Language immersion program. Language school five days a week, while living with a Mexican host family. I decided the continuous immersion would be best… so I won’t be coming back to Arizona until it is complete. (Fito will come there to see me!)
I am excited and thrilled for this experience. I imagine being able to converse with my mother-in-law, Mama Chela, and understand her stories and why we are laughing together. Which is a regular occurrence… that just doesn’t normally include me understanding why we’re laughing.., other than her eyes and laughter are infectious. This is one of many gifts I imagine this experience will bring.
And now.., not only do I know that Storm Wisdom is and will be in capable hands… The team (and the clients and friends), know this as well! It is a wonderful feeling to know you have amazing people watching and taking care of your back.
I also want to let you know that while I am in Mexico… Victoria Barna who has been part of the Storm Wisdom family since the day we opened.., and who is an award winning author, will be writing these weekly posts and musings. You will be in good hands!
It is still over a month before I leave… and our 9th Anniversary Celebration is coming up in a couple of weeks. I hope I get to see you there! Please put it on your calendar.., as I would love to connect with you before this next adventure kicks off!
With Light, Love, and Laughter
Charles
Hats off to you for being aware in owning the steps of your journey that only you can take … it can take you anywhere so enjoy your ride-you have never been a maintenance kind of guy.. Storm Wisdom is in good hands.. time for you to Hable Espaniol👀🤗😘
Thanks Diane! I love the encouragement!!
I am happy for you, Charles, you are truly following your heart now. I can tell you from experience that language immersion is the best way. It’s how I learned Italian when I lived in FLorence and although I may not be grammatically correct…I can carry on a conversation without an accent. You will have the advantage of classes. There’s a particular thrill in being able to communicate with someone in their language as you will discover. Enjoy the Journey!
Thanks for this Donna… you have given me even greater hope! 🤗
Wow, Charles, we have yet another thread of our life tapestry in common… I worked as the administrative assistant for the Concordia Language Villages Language Immersion Schools in Minnesota for 2 years… we ran 13 different language camps, from Spanish (of course) to Japanese languages. People stayed a full week for the first immersion, learning all the basics to be able to travel to that country, from ordering food in restaurants to participating in the native country’s major historical celebrations, like independence day, etc. The second week was going into current culture of the country and reading the “great books.” People could stay an entire month for more advanced immersion. They lived in the camps (more like a resort), which were designed to simulate a major country of that language; once they passed through the entrance, receiving their “passport” and exchanging their American money for the country’s money, the instructors and staff spoke to them in the language of the country. Summer was young people and winter was adult. They even have French Voyageurs who lived in the woods and traveled rivers via canoe to speak and live like the early French fur trappers. Anyway, you will learn a lot and perhaps experience a “rebirth” or “soul retrieval,” which I understand happens to a lot of people when either traveling or immersing in another language. Can’t wait to hear your blogs when you return! Have a blessed experience.
Thanks Darla.., you just amped up my excitement for the experience even more!
Thank you for sharing your process week after week! You inspire and champion the beauty, heart, and elegance in living a conscious life! I am grateful for your friendship, love, and support as we maneuver this journey in life.
Ahh… Thanks Mary, you know I feel the same about our eternal connection!
How exciting and brave! I applause you for not only taking the time to be present in your life but for also listening and following though – so many times we only hear what we think we want to hear or we hear and don’t take action. So excited and happy for you!
Thanks Dani for the encouraging words! I’m excited!
You are going to have so much fun! One of my favorite places on earth! xo Lots of love to you.
Yay! Thanks Sarah for feeding the fun! I am getting very excited!
Charles, we have never met but I have been to Storm Wisdom several times. I have also introduced and recommended the center many times. I read your newsletter each week and have forwarded it on to others when it seemed just right for a particular individual. Thank you! I wish you all the best on your language adventure.
Nice to meet you virtually Eudora! Thank you for being so supportive of Storm Wisdom and me! It means a lot and feels very validating!