December 2021
Dear friends,
As we write this, we’re knocking on the door of a new calendar year. It’s a season of “Best of 2021” lists, and invitations to reflect on the past twelve months. Doing that kind of reflection may feel difficult right now. How do we put together a highlight reel when a year and half of pandemic life feels like a giant blur? How do we resist the urge to focus on what hasn’t been able to happen – what’s been canceled, what’s been limited, what we haven’t had the energy to do?
We invite you to take one small step before the new year begins. Take a moment to think about what has happened and what you have had the energy to do over the past year. If it’s helpful, scroll through the pictures on your phone or glance over a few months in your calendar and remind yourself of moments of growth, perseverance, and joy. In a world of constraints and exhaustion and uncertainty, you still made things happen.
We paused to think about ways we’ve grown and joys we’ve experienced this year. Here’s a peek at some of the things on our list:
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Miwa walked more miles and met more amazing neighbors than ever before after her family adopted their wonder dog, Jax
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Marion celebrated her big milestone birthday with three amazing trips – each with a different group of family or life friends, reminding her of what’s most important in life
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With the encouragement of her sons, Miwa managed her fear of heights and made it through an intermediate ropes course
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Marion, in partnership with women in her amazing community, revived the multi-racial women’s group she co-founded that had been on hiatus during the pandemic
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Together, we made the leap to start our joint venture as we leaned into an intentional, joyful work partnership
It’s nourishing to recognize the light we’ve created in our own small ways. We hope you can take some time this winter break to do the same!
Join us!
Collective Conversation: Find Your 3-Word Mantra in 2022
January 25th 11 AM EST – Collective Conversations is a monthly opportunity to learn and reflect in community with others. What three words describe how you want to feel as you move through 2022? We invite you to pause, grab a mug of coffee or tea, and join us for an informal conversation about the intentions we’re carrying with us as we begin a new year.
Leadership Coaching
We’ve built space to take on new coaching clients into our winter and spring planning. Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to explore a coaching engagement in the new year.
Tide Risers Spring 2022 Cohort
Tide Risers is a deliberate, international community of women who come together to learn and grow while supporting each other. Marion will be back as a facilitator in the spring program. Learn how you can be part of this cohort by clicking the link below.
Partner Spotlight
We’re excited to shout out a featured partner in our Illuminate Collective community in every newsletter. This month we’re highlighting Alli Myatt and Courtney Tungate, co-founders of The Equity Practice and experienced non-profit leaders. Alli and Courtney work with organizations to create new ways of operating to make equity work. They offer a range of coaching and consulting services as well as courses and fellowships, including Anti-Bias in Hiring and #The PracticeofEquity Manager Series.
What We’re Reading and Listening To
We’re excited to dive into these books and resources this summer as we navigate transitions and move through change.
How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community by Mia Birdsong
We love this book by writer and activist Mia Birdsong. Her reflections on building community through vulnerability, accountability, and connection are an inspiring winter read.
Your Body is Your Brain by Amanda Blake
Many of our coaching clients have heard us talk about tapping into ALL of our body’s intelligences through somatic practices. We learned this from Amanda Blake as students in the Neuroscience of Change class by Coaches Rising. Learn more about this science and practices in this book.
Gratitude
This month we’re grateful for the promise of rest and time with family in the coming weeks. And, as always, we’re grateful to all of you for being part of this community. We’re wishing you much light, peace and rest over the holidays and winter break. See you in 2022!
Keep shining,
Marion and Miwa