Solstice Update + Freedom Lifestyle

By Cate Stillman

It’s been awhile since I gave you the family update.

We are at the Mexican coast for the winter. The goddess of the full moon and the solstice is gifting us with big phat waves. For my family, that is the best gift we can imagine. I’m riding the most powerful waves of my life.

Indy is almost 6 and waking up to the power of the ocean. Yesterday after getting tossed in the surf she told me, “The ocean doesn’t always do what kids want.” I concurred.

I responded, “She is the strongest teacher my body has met. The Ocean makes me stronger and smarter by listening and watching her closely.”

Indy ignored me and jumped on her boogie board, and rode it through the white wash right onto the beach… and ran back through the water to catch the next wave.

Many of you have been following our schooling/unschooling conversation. Like the tides we will most likely to continue to pulse. Right now the ocean is her teacher, as well as her ninera’s family – a tight-knit multi-generational family full of shakti.

Our holidays are very simple. We’ve turned Indy’s room into an arts+crafts studio. I’m helping her make ornaments to give to our neighbors and friends. Click here for the podcast on teaching children about giving and receiving.

For me… I’m pulled into deeper contemplation and reflection with the Solstice. The Earth’s calendar is my calendar. Over the next 2 weeks, I will be pulled into reflection on how I can take our conversation to the next level of connection and positive global and local community impact in 2014.

I am grateful for you all here- you read, you listen, you share, you comment. You make this conversation possible.

I invite you to help me plan 2014. Simply, respond to this post:

Let me know the following:

What you want to go deeper into in 2014
Who you want to hear on the podcast
Which cheatsheet would be helpful for you
What you’re current challenges or breakthroughs are

I will read every comment. And I’ll report back with the biggest currents in our community tide.

Let’s tailor this conversation to your needs and desires.

Comments

4 Comments

Tiffany Stephens
Posted at 04:49h, 24 December

Interesting I am in Mexico too. Where are you located?
Shari Lewison
Posted at 17:09h, 31 December

Hi, Cate –
Thanks for the invitation into your planning for 2014. I have been spending time “thinking about what I’m thinking”, reflecting on what direction I want to set my inner compass on for 2014. Much of what I keep coming back to centers on “transitions” and “nurturing and supporting others…from an arm’s length”. As our kids have transitioned through childhood to teens to young adults, our roles grew from quarterback to coach to franchise owner. Now, I want to again shift my involvement with them to more of a relationship of equals…sharing different viewpoints, learning from one another, respecting their decisions. For me, that means pulling back on always being there with the safety net and chief problem solver. But I want to do that planfully and from my own grounded sense of center.
I’m also really interested in spending time exploring and preparing for the transitions my husband and I are excited about as new fifty-somethings. I have a strong inner sense of being ready to move forward and can almost see what is on the crest of the new horizon.
Not sure how our conversations might intersect, but you are a great thought partner so thought I would put it out there to see what it might spark.
Wishing you Big Waves in 2014 –
Shari
Cate Stillman
Posted at 17:22h, 31 December

I’m in Punta Mita, north of Puerto Vallarta
Cate Stillman
Posted at 17:24h, 31 December

Super, Shari.
Thank you for sharing….
I think there is huge value to sharing common experience – even if it’s a TED talk link… and then talking about it after. Subtle influence, sharing info, and common experiences… are so important.