Saturday, October 09, 2010

Day Nine - Forever Grateful

A beautiful gathering
A Sunday for Tea
A loving circle of support
An inspiring collection of women
A sacred event
An 
AMP EXPERIENCE

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On Sunday, October 3rd in the fabulous design store Cantoni's on La Brea in Los Angeles a large group of women were drawn together to celebrate our collective Amazing, Magnificent and Phenomenal-ness. The idea of getting a group of friends together over a Sunday tea had started in the summer after a particularly channeled message of love from the cosmos to get our nearest and dearest together to open a dialogue. The request was not left unanswered. Our theme had evolved into "from this garden love grows... enrich each moment." No one had an agenda, our intention was to open the space of limitless possibility and entertain those possibilities to create something miraculous. It started in the chaos that usually accompanies a larger event at a new venue now taking place outside of our home living room and with the added support of gracious sponsors. A late arrival here, a quirky forgetting of the cups there, and the normal scrambling to get the party started gave in to a warm wonderful day of sharing.

How I got to this moment bears some explanation because it really was a coming home. A coming home to the ground of my true being. Through all the tearful signings for my first book, The Bare Melcessities which dealt with getting through heartbreak after a divorce, through all the parties and joyful gatherings over the year of what would become my accelerated personal transformation I noticed something incredibly powerful, each person I met in whatever way I met them seemed to be remembering the truth and more importantly reminding me... There where so many people who shared their stories, let their emotions flow, often experiencing that loss of words, I learned to reach out, to just be in the space, eventually they found a way to let go of their defenses, allowing the surfacing emotions to release in the loving exchange that was offered, freeing their voice of some of what had strangled it.

Each encounter was a blessing. To be afforded that insight into the human heart, to be able to watch as people had light bulb moments, reconnecting and resurrecting parts of themselves that had long lay dormant, detoxing from whatever had weighed them down, was intense. I learned to surrender my defenses and open my heart. It was so powerful to know we are not alone. We are not alone in our feelings, we are not alone in our joy, we are all connected in that space of the heart.

When I wrote The Bare Melcessities it was only to give birth to some expression of my authentic self. I had no idea it would would lead me on a unique journey, divinely guided in the most perfect fashion, to a series of Sunday afternoon Teas surrounded by support for all the tears and laughter, expanding on friendships, connecting a diverse collection of women and igniting our ancestors with full nourishment in the form of community providing the energy necessary to grow.

On this Sunday at Cantoni's Design on La Brea in the heart of Los Angeles I read a tiny prayer from my collection of inspired affirmations of thought I am a Magnificent Woman that was gifted to me through my own tears. It was the answer to the question that I had walked and lived after leaving my relationship not knowing which end was up. It was the answer to Who Are You? And the most beautiful gift, because once I remembered who I was, I could remember who everyone is. Looking at that circle of women gathered in this form on this day we broke that prayer open on the wind. The energy of our intention and the magic of the moment combining, uplifting, empowering. The first woman who spoke after this shared prayer took my breath away. She ended her introduction with her own "I am" and after the most beautiful pregnant pause ... "Listening." 

Each statement built on the last filling the hearts in the room binding together the group in spirit...

I am present
I am grateful
I am blessed
I am supported
I am content
I am ever evolving
I am Loved


It is an I AM to remember. A love that is ever connected, ever free and whole hearted. 

Many thanks to all the truly Amazing, Magnificent and Phenomenal woman that I am lucky and honored to know. That I met along my journey and who joined this Sunday. It is with deep appreciation that I celebrate everyone who participated, expressed, and enjoyed the community of women that graced Cantoni's Design and it is with gratitude that I embrace all the connections that unfolded, all the relationships that have begun and all the spirit that has joined together in a feminine social force. It was uplifting and nourishing and much needed. We look forward to our next AMP event.

for Thelma and our Ancestors...

Lots of Love,

Melanie


Day Nine of a 40 day honoring cycle that started 10-1-10 for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month... it is a Mel movement of the heart, a cycle of gratitude in the light of remembrance.

May you feel connected, comforted and full of peace
Today. Now. Always.
May your soul be full of joy and your life ignite in ways you never dreamed possible...

In grace and appreciation...

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