to be of use

Today is the last day for students at the high school where I work as a mentor/coach/counselor. I can hardly believe that it has been more than six months since I started working there. My experiences in the past have always been that spring semesters in schools seem to drag for for freaking ever. Not so this year.

In my mind, I feel like it could be sometime in April. But, no, tomorrow is it. Time to wave goodbye to the students + send them off to their summers.

Speaking of sending them off, some of my students are weighing heavy on my heart. Not that I want to have control, but I just know that some of them are facing some tough times, without that extra support and place to go that school sometimes offers.

Right here at the end of the semester, as students (and parents) are contacting me left + right to help them complete all of their assignments so they can pass their courses, I have a handful of students who are also fighting through some pretty tough shit personally.

I don’t talk much about my work on the blog here, mostly because it’s all so confidential.

But, I have to just lay my heart wide open right here, right now, in my safe place… where I gain perspective.

Of course, I want to hug it all better for everyone. But, the most that any of us can do is to be truly present with one another. We cannot, nor will we ever, solve anyone else’s problems and heal another person’s hurts. But, we can walk with them. We can give the gift of our total and complete presence. We can listen. We can accept everyone as they are. We can challenge + push + inspire. But, ultimately, all we can do is be there… and let others know that they were born to fly. And, as they find themselves, as they test their wings, as they discover their voice, their strength, their own inner power, we can remind them that we are right there. Cheering them on. Offering support. Loving unconditionally and openly and freely. Without any conditions.

And, of course, the absolutely best thing that we can do is take care of ourselves.

Yes, it is important for us to be there for each other. But, remember, the only person that we can change is ourselves. It is true that we are called to “be the change we want to see in the world”.

It truly does begin with us. It begins with living our life from our soul, with being who we authentically are. Living wild + free. Staying connected to our true selves. Taking care of our souls, filling them up. Remaining grounded.

To me, it all begins with a spiritual life – whatever that may look like to you.  

It is about connected to that deep, magical, divine place within. Discovering that vibe that mystically and cosmically connects us all. And, when we accept and live from our souls, from who we really are… when we let our entire life be one big authentic sacred moment after another, then without even knowing it, our lives become a gift to others. The peace + balance that we find naturally spills out of us and spreads to everyone we meet.

I know you know a person who glows, who just lights us a room and brings an energy that makes an impact on everyone that he or she comes in contact with, for however long or short he or she are present. That’s what I’m talking about. These are people who have found a well deep within. They have connected to their spirit and they exude peace and love effortlessly, just by being who they are.

Beginning with ourselves, grounds our being so that we become the light + love that the world so desperately needs. We don’t start by going to love and fix everything on our own. No, we start with ourselves. From within. 

You may find your spirit through religion or music or art, through nature or your meditation or yoga. However you find that still, quiet place to just be, to remember who you are, just find it. Make time for it. Care for your soul, and and then let your soul inspire the world by simply being uniquely who you truly are.

So, as I say goodbye to my kiddos tomorrow, as I give out hugs and wave them off, I will also whisper a silent blessing and send a prayer up into the great cosmic heavens. Because that’s who I am. That’s part of how I love. Embracing the mystery that connects us all + letting my wishes just fly up to the universe… landing where they may. Practically, I will also let some of the students know that I am available until my vacation begin in mid-July. So, should they need anything, I am here.

That’s all I can really do. Be here. But, that’s all any of us really need to do. Just. Be. Here.

When we are simply true, honest, and present, then every single moment of our life is to be of use.

“I have never understood why some people are lucky enough to be born with the chance that I had—with this path in life. And why across the world, there’s a woman just like me with the same abilities and the same desires, the same work ethic and love for her family who would most likely make better films and better speeches. Only she sits in a refuge camp, and she has no voice. She worries about what her children will eat, how to keep them safe, and if they’ll ever return home. I don’t know why this is my life and that’s hers…But I will do as my mother asked, and I will do the best I can with this life to be of use. And to stand here today means that I did as she asked. If she were alive, she would be very proud, so thank you [gets choked up].”

– Angelina Jolie

Now… happy summer to you all! Sending you buckets full of love + light.

xoxo. liz