21 Secrets free audio interview :: vulnerability is my superpower
Dear one,
have you ever doubted your worth?
Felt ashamed of being different?
Ached to understand your purpose?
Me, too. Me, too. I spent many years trying to be anything but who I am.
But as you know, we phoenix souls are learning to specialize in vulnerability. We practice diving deep into our personal truth, striving to honor both our lament and our wild joy. The differences that make us sparkle. The quirks that are our superpowers.
“I never dreamed that I would end up here, honoring instead of hiding the things about myself that used to make me cry. That I would realize deep pain can lead to deep joy. That healing can only happen when we embrace and love our WHOLE story, every stumbling step that leads us to where we are today.”
If you've ever wondered how I journeyed from being a timid, hiding-her-light little girl to embracing my wild phoenix soul . . . now's your chance to cozy up and hear my story.
Even when it's hard (and I get so nervous my hands shake), I try now to befriend my vulnerability, because that's where truth resides. If my opening up can help you honor YOUR truth--if we can both travel from hurt to healing--then oh, kindred, every ache was worth it!
“My hope for you, everyone listening, is that you, too, can begin to look at your own creative journey with tenderness. With acceptance. With love for every seeming misstep or mistake or bumble, and with love, too, for every triumph and victory, no matter how small they may seem . . . wherever you are in your own journey.”
I am so honored to be interviewed by Connie Solera, host of the beloved 21 Secrets art journaling e-course and community. Working with her as I crafted my course for the current session of 21 Secrets (Keep True: The Compass of You) has been a life-altering experience. I tapped into my personal creative journey and shared what I've learned, in hopes that you will discover an intimate and healing creative practice of your own (or find ways to deepen and expand your already-existing practice).
Keep True is all about honoring your life's story, learning what sparks or smothers your spirit. As I say in this audio interview, I designed Keep True as a tool for "learning to LOVE our quirks and oddities and beautiful differences, and discovering how they can be a source of joy and power and healing, instead of something to hide and overcome."
“Creativity has saved my life countless times, and I truly believe that it can save you, too . . . especially when we approach creative expression with a genuine desire to be present, to honor our truth, and to be willing to go where our path leads—no matter how different it seems, or how much self-doubt wants to take over. We are worthy. We are needed in this world, exactly as we are. The things that make us different are what give us power and compassion and depth. This is where we, as artists, heal ourselves—and we heal the world.”
Phoenix soul, how has vulnerability been part of your creative journey? How about your life as a whole? I would love to hear your thoughts and to explore this subject more deeply with you.
And always, always:
You are so loved. Exactly as you are.
with such gratitude,
Amanda
the soul level // Truth Tribe interview: Christa Gallopoulos
What would happen if you allowed your hurts AND healings to be revealed--the whole gorgeous mess of you?
And what happens if you DON'T? What happens when shame reigns instead, when your trueness is squashed, tamped down, smothered?
Friends, when planning for our Catharsis issue, I knew my Truth Tribe interviewee would need to be courageous.
We're talking about deep emotions here, a mighty agent of change. Catharsis would require someone calm, clear, full of heart and hope amidst the pain. Someone willing to share her own story and encourage readers to tell theirs.
Of course. Of course it had to be Christa Gallopoulos.
Christa and I have known one another online for years, ebbing and flowing in our connection as we've both grown and transformed. I already interviewed Christa once, three years ago, in our Becoming issue. What could be better for Catharsis than honoring where we've been, all that has brought us to this potent moment?
Christa has this way about her, a clearness of vision and strength of spirit that could only come from heartache transformed into healing.
In The Phoenix Soul: Catharsis, I asked Christa,
"Opening up about our vulnerable stories is risky. But what's the risk of keeping those tender truths hidden?"
original artwork by Christa Gallopoulos, featured in TPS: Catharsis
“I think that the reason we have, as a people, so much illness and imbalance both mental and physical now is just this. Life is traumatic, more so for some of us than others. And over the past five or six centuries, we’ve been taught to do anything but address our own hurts on the soul level. In sharing our stories, we heal and we encourage others to heal, too.
The risk of keeping all that hidden is in every headline on the evening news. Unrest, capital crimes, racial tension, massive public health issues and so much more. While this is brave work, I think not doing it is much scarier.”
Christa shared about her upcoming memoir, All Better Bye and Bye, which includes "chronicles of growing up in a body that was never my own, a family that was more a collection of mismatched souls than anything, a house full of secrets and abuse--and how I got from that place to the rather magic life I have now."
“My great hope is that it helps people to understand that whatever challenges we are dealt do not need to define us and that we can choose to be anything we want to be, to live according to our own truths.”
Phoenix soul, is it time to break free? To live in the light of your own truth?
You are safe with us.
Step into the light.
Honor your Catharsis.
Break free with us in 60 full-color pages of healing: art, poetry, essays, creative prompts, & more (all for only $6).
Dear one, you are not alone.
And there is always, always hope. Connect with your trusted tribe. Know you are loved--exactly as you are.
with respect & so much love,
Amanda