First!

Welcome!

Hmmm, making first impressions. I’ve often made a first impression but much less often, have I made a good first impression. We’ll see how this goes because you see, I turned 50 in March of this year and in an enormous act of generosity, I gave away all of my remaining f*cks (along with tea towels and homemade jam—of course, because I’m 50 and that’s what I do now). 

So, it’s okay if I don’t make a good first impression. And I hope you never worry about it either. We make an impression and as long as we’re being authentic, that is more than enough. Ideally, I aim to muster the oomph to check my sh*t at the door and find inspiration for a genuine smile (which I verimuch have plastered across my face as I write JSYK ;) before meeting anyone, ever, not just the first time. This is not because I’m trying to be good. ‘Good girls” smile because they’ve been told that’s what good girls do, regardless of whatever sorrows may be plaguing them inside. 

What this means is that I am claiming full permission to express my sorrows AND I pledge to—as often as possible!—do so with a sense of humour and awareness that I am not my thoughts. I am a fantastical magical swirling combination of all of the selves I have ever been: she’s messy, and playful, curious and sensitive. I LOVE her so much! She’s helping me remember that what other people think is none of my business. There’s a mighty part of her who remembers being in the world before the world taught so many parts of her how to be. She remembers the time before she even knew she would carry decades of f*cks that weren’t even hers… I think my inner-child just might be my wisest part of all. She’s certainly the most fun!

Which brings me to the topics at hand: What is Aligned Learning Lab and who am I.

For fun, let’s start with the second question first. I am a spiritual and oh-so-curious seeker and explorer. I love writing, making colourful messes, watching—everything, most especially things that crawl, fly, and slither. During my 4 most recent decades I’ve worn many hats, including: customer service representative, student, research assistant, public school teacher, scholar, facilitator, instructional designer, project manager, team lead, entrepreneur, consultant and coach. I’m practicing not identifying who I am with a description of how I perform in the cycle of acts of service and exchange (financial or otherwise).

This is a problem in the realm of online business marketing. And, it is critical for rediscovering and embodying my most authentic, truest sense of self.

Aligned Learning Lab is a space I created for myself and like-minded women to explore and learn together. ‘Aligned’ because if the choice isn’t a full-body ‘f*ck yes’ then it’s a ‘no thank you.’ ‘Learning’ because as long as we keep trying, we’re learning, and as long as we’re learning we can always, ALWAYS, use a little support. Okay, maybe that’s just me, but I doubt it…

Here’s the cold, hard truth: I’m still figuring it out. All of it! Who I am… Who my business best serves.... How to capture the essence of who I am and how I serve others… In fact, I’ve been working on a new elevator pitch for a networking breakfast that’s coming up. Here’s my working definition:

You know how we often start a creative project with all kinds of enthusiasm but then the energy fizzles out (or the program that promised to get you to the finish line ends when you’re only part way through), we lose momentum and sometimes even abandon the project altogether. But it doesn’t let us forget about it… we crave the satisfaction of crossing the finish line, feeling victorious with your masterpiece… I’m a creativity coach who specializes in supporting authors to complete their manuscripts (not to get started!) and explore potential avenues for pursuing publication.

My mission is to amplify the voices of wise women who are learning, practicing, and teaching other women how to cultivate lives that are restful, joyful, authentic, aligned & fulfilling.

I am also a book-maker!