"The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light.” ~ Ram Dass
I recently participated in a group exercise led by Speaker and Mindset Coach, Laura Aura. (If you are unfamiliar with her, you can find her @thatlauraaura on Instagram.) As part of the exercise, we tapped into our inner teenage selves and allowed them to bring their natural curiosity and audacity into the present. Laura asked us to complete these statements about our teens: "People misunderstood____" and "The truth is____." Here is part of mine:

"People misunderstood that I was super outgoing and easily made friends as we moved around every three years. The truth is I was so afraid of not fitting in that I would morph into whoever I thought would make friends and find her place as quickly as possible. This adaptability proved to be a useful skill but left me with no idea who I truly was and feeling deeply lonely for much of my life."
As I visited 15-year-old, acne-fighting, braces-donning Beth, I could see so clearly how being a hormonal teenage chameleon generated a mess of identity and worthiness issues.
Fast forward (math I will not do) years later, and I can see how those years nourished attributes I now cherish about myself. Qualities I have been able to excavate and understand in the last ten years. Being an intuitive host, creating a safe space for my circle, usually quick to forgive, always wanting to understand more, and desiring to be genuinely inclusive, to name a few. The silver linings from decades of secret storm clouds.
Laura's coaching feedback included this statement with a perfect analogy for our journey to
increased self-acceptance and love.

"When I feel into your energy, I get a sense of a Rubik's Cube - one that you’ve been turning and trying to line up for years. The colors are lining up and you’re accepting the sides that are multi-colored because maybe they don’t all have to be perfect, they just need to be seen and understood."
I immediately opened Amazon, found a Rubik's Cube, and clicked "Add to cart.”
Chasing perfection contradicts self-love, yet the desire seems to rear its head at just about every turn. We work to acknowledge and modify areas we perceive as less than perfect, but in the name of self-awareness, we often forget that shadows cannot exist without light and vice versa. They are intertwined.
The darkest parts of ourselves are offset with equal measures of light. We only have to seek it out. The more we embrace our shadows and invite them to uncover and expand our unique light, the smaller and less ominous they become.
The onset of Fall represents transition, letting go, balance, and perseverance. The Seasonal
changes serve as a reminder that release and rest are essential for continual growth.
As we head into this time of transformation, let's take a cue from Nature, embracing all our colors, releasing what no longer serves, and finding beauty in every phase of life.
In line with this theme of transformation, I encourage you to spend some time connecting with your light. Perhaps even draw inspiration from Laura's exercise and take a trip down memory lane to visit with your inner teen. What were you passionate about? What worried you? How did you see the world? What truths and attributes about yourself do you now appreciate and love despite their angsty origins? Note: Listening to a playlist from the year you were 15 is a fantastic way to be transported back and generate some reminiscent energy!
Transformation is a continuous process. Take care to celebrate your progress in every shade, knowing that it’s the interplay of light and shadow that makes you beautifully, uniquely, and authentically you.
This article was published in the Fall and final printed edition of Focus On Fabulous magazine. "Celebrating the strengths, stories & successes of everyday women living extraordinary lives." Each of the 4 seasonal editions is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and fabulous support. Please check out the site and follow to order digital copies and keep up with what is next for Focus on Fabulous Magazine!
This blog is a personal collection of my thoughts, wins, losses, memories, and crossroad moments. Almost all of which were hashed out around my kitchen counter and in my journals. If any of it resonates with you and you are ready to empower your inner badass and move into your Next with confidence, I can help. It’s time… Click the link and Let’s chat.
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