Amidst this period of waiting, I have found a beautiful new spark. When we landed back in Arizona, I was a mess of confusion. I have been feeling that way as of lately, because I have been impatient. My expectations of what my fun spring beginnings were supposed to look like have fallen short. Woweee, my mind’s attempt to play God ha. So amidst this, I am trying to remember how confusion was only a few months ago and now, look at what little seedling has sprung!
I do think a big part of spring’s beauty is the angst. I imagine the teenage bear who is pouting to get up. The curtains drawn over the cave door. But comically, the only thing pouting are my own expectations. Right now, I am leaning heavily towards more play and fun. Drop everything — all the chores, all the productivity in the moment, get outside (that is where I have been feeling absolutely lifted nowadays!), follow the spring sensations and simply bask in the fragrance of what has become. Not in what I am hoping for/ envisioning, no. What is here right now. I have heard this said many times, and so it is a common reminder I am sure. The present moment is a part of the dream I had made in the past.
The spring fragrance is all around me. Have you noticed it too? It is completely alluring, penetrating. Flowers are in fact the sexual body parts of the plant. I stared at the snapdragons from my sister’s garden today. The stroke of the curve; I could not help but notice. Alluring, I tell you. This is the season for receptivity, not productivity. Are things still made? Oh definitely, but with the caress of nature and fun. I’m remembering this really cute wooden ball and cup toy I played with at the Japanese Friendship Garden on Sunday. I absolutely loved swinging and fooling myself - concentrating so hard - that I was going to swing the ball into the cup and win! Michael , my husband, was just staring at me and finally beckoned I hand it over to him with a gleeful grin. I am not shitting you. He got it on his first maybe second try! ha — fucking leo, he loved that. We both cracked up, smiling. A gentle curve, honey. Do a slightly smaller rotation and try it from the side instead. He said so confidently reassuringly.
And so, I tried again. I tried to let go of the vision, more particularly the image of what it was to look like in my head. I let go of the even landing it in and then just focused on it all being an extension of my hand.
I will go as far as to say, he is still a better ball and cup competitor than me. However, I did land it perfectly a few times. Yehaw.
With that story aside, I am excited to share a new vessel that I holding community events from!! This venture, like my hilarity of landing ball in cup - sort of just happened without me thinking/dreaming it to life. Instead of birthing it, it sort of just plopped out. An unexpected cherry on top, you could say from following the cues from loving and divinely-placed connections in real life and continuing along my own healing/creating journey.
Here it is: Lemon Rose Gatherings
Why Lemon Rose?
Lemons remind us of the uplifting joy that can occur in the healing and cleansing process. And it was via a tremendous offering of lemons from my neighbor's tree that I found them to be not only medicinally soothing, but also generously abundant.
Roses serve as our mirrors, reflecting the path of the inner journey. Through their sweet fragrance, they emit the feminine pull, the one that guides a person deeper into the curves of their own heart so that they may open up and become fully embodied. A blossoming of beauty and a teacher for how beautiful it is to journey into one's heart.
Lemon Rose Gatherings are heart-led events facilitated by Patricia Levy in stewardship with the sacred medicine of Cacao, more specifically the native heirloom strains, beyond fair trade, whole beans of KAKAO.
What Is Cacao?
Cacao is chocolate in its purest form which holds a wealth of medicinal and holistic benefits, especially regarding stress management and resilience.
The scientific benefits of cacao can be broken down to include these compounds:
Theobromine ("Food of the Gods") - cousin to caffeine, yet a milder stimulant
Anandamide ("the bliss molecule") - best known for its role in producing the feeling of happiness
Magnesium - every cell of the body contains magnesium therefore thrives from the replenishment of this mineral
Tryptophan - an essential amino acid and sole precursor to serotonin ("the feel-good chemical")
Spiritually, Cacao is an incredibly nurturing feminine spirit whose essence and teachings has been preserved by the Mayan elders. Wisdom that has now left the jungles and spread out into the world to guide others in leading from their heart.
In gratitude to this lineage, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to develop my own connection to Cacao, and therefore pay it forward by extending her gift to others.
Yay!
The first Lemon Rose Gatherings will be occurring in Scottsdale, Arizona at my all time favorite Abundant Space. And in truth to how much of a stewardship this is to Cacao - what I mean by that is: I pretty do as I am told by the Spirit of Cacao and my relationship to Her — these events will be fundraisers for an incredible Tibetan Buddhist monk and artist I was recently connected to; a creative who bridges art and prayer!
It all feels very aligned, of course. All are welcome.
The Tibetan Healing Arts Tour in Scottsdale, AZ:
»If song and mantra has been calling your name, check out the Tibetan Healing Concert on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets may be purchased here.
»If a guided meditation to connect with your inner artist, empower your creative calling and/or integrate more of this oneness between art and prayer speaks to you, then check out the Journey through Tibetan Art on Thursday, May 15th from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets may be purchased here.
»There will also be opportunity to tour Lama Tashi Norbu’s Sacred Art Gallery while it is homed in Abundant Space for a few days! Registration may be made here.
» Sacred Tibetan Tattoo Ceremonies are available to book as well. This opportunity in particular is for those who feel very called to create space for a very personal and embodying ritual to honor their spiritual path. There are different options available for sizing/pricing, but typically the placement for the standard tattoo is recommended on the person’s inner forearm. I personally, hold a tattoo here (a century plant that I received after one of the greatest summers of my life) and it is a very powerful reminder for what my core and humbling values are in this bewildering unwinding of life.
Bookings and more information for this ritual may be found here.
I hope you find yourself a ball and cup type of moment this week.
Sending love all ways
xx