welcome: we rise
Come in, phoenix soul.
Come in, tender-heart. Over-thinker. Big-sky-dreamer.
Come in, you holy mess of a human, you divine spark of light (we’re a mess too, and we love you not despite your you-ness, but because of it).
Come in, sacred-seeker, love-believer, joy-finder, heart-on-your-sleever.
Welcome.
As you are.
Come in, exhausted one, and drink deep of soul-nourishment.
Come in, joyful one, and multiply your cheer.
Come in, aching one, and let us whisper love.
Come in, trembling one, and know you are (more than) enough—as is.
Welcome.
As you are.
Come in, and let us celebrate your trueness, in all your ache and beauty.
Come in, and let us tend your tired places, in every overwhelm.
Come in, and let us meet you exactly where you are, in all your hurt and healing.
Come in, and let us companion you in the way of transformation, in every tiny victory.
Welcome.
As you are.
(with gratitude and apologies to Shel Silverstein’s “Invitation”)
Dear one, with great joy (and fingernail-chewing-nerves), I welcome you to our new collaborative space.
The Phoenix Soul online community is raw and real, tough and tender, full of grit, grace, and every gasp between. Our digital magazine has always celebrated these qualities (over seven years of publication—all 64 issues still available here), and now we’re throwing the doors wide open as we create this fresh collaborative space (read full story here). In a time of deep ache and exciting transformation in our world, we offer this collaborative blog as a sanctuary—a free, open-to-all, tenderhearted, progressive space that honors our collective and individual being.
You’re invited . . .
We invite you to explore soul-deep questions with us, to find comfort and uplift, to raise our lanterns in the dark together. You’re welcome to visit, to submit your own offerings, and of course to browse our catalog of 64 published digital magazine issues (similar themes to what we’ll explore here, but in self-contained, carefully curated, ad-free, wildly colorful PDF issues). You can also connect more closely with me, Amanda, on Patreon (starting with weekly soul-prompts for only $1/month, plus vibrant handmade art mail at higher tiers). (Psst—Patreon helps fund this new free venture, so if you believe in our mission, thank you for your support!)
What can you expect in this collaborative space?
Artwork—bold, colorful, from the soul. Gaspworthy poetry. Brave essays. Thought-provoking flash fiction. Inspiring artist profiles and Soul Rise Stories interviews. Videos to brighten your day or spark your soul. Community and staff round-ups with evocative questions and answers. And much more! (Sounds like your kind of thing? Read our themes and guidelines here to submit your own work.)
We’re so excited . . .
I’m thrilled to connect with you in this new format, and hope you find encouragement and kinship here. Think of this as your virtual bonfire. Grab a cup of your favorite hot drink, step into the circle, and cozy up with us. Let’s whisper truths into one another’s ears. Let’s nod and sigh at the ache and beauty of us all. Let’s laugh and weep and wonder. Let’s plan to meet up again soon, soon, soon.
With deep appreciation and gratitude,
