Summer Solstice 2025

It’s official!  June 20th  is here, and the Summer Solstice takes place tonight in our Northern hemisphere. 

As I take in the meaning of Solstice I was inspired to share something a bit more personal with you.

Two years ago, a season began in my life that started with a fall and what I came to learn was about the ‘Art of Falling’ which included how to roll.  You see I experienced two serious physical falls that resulted in multiple surgeries. I spiraled, both emotionally and physically. But that season of falling taught me what no textbook could: how to roll. It wasn’t just about injury.  It was about understanding how my nervous system, history, and choices were all connected. And slowly, with support, I began to reconnect with myself, reframe my story, and rise again.

It was about seeing my struggle - reframed. 

I grew up with the mindset that IF I wasn’t moving ahead, being blessed or prospering in life something was wrong, I was doing IT wrong, whatever IT was, and I needed to do something to make IT right.  So, when my falls happened, I found myself spiraling over and over until one day in a zoom call, my friend Liz said to me, ‘Susan, WHAT IF, you’re just Learning to Fall?’.  When Liz said those words, something shifted in me, something lifted off me.  Then I found coach Chris and read how one of the first things he does is to teach his athlete’s how to fall, how to roll, and how to use that momentum to get back up and into the game.  Have you ever seen an athlete do some of their acrobatics and keep going?  It’s usually when they stay down the whistle blows.  And that was me.  Down not once, but twice. The second time I knew I needed help getting up and that is when I learned to reframe ‘falling’. 

In reframing my circumstances, I began to follow each thread that connected my history, my choices, and my nervous system.  I began to observe, listen and respond by showing myself self-compassion and as I did that, I could see that something was changing.  That something was Me.  I realized that I had felt stuck often in my life and in many ways.  My focus changed. The struggle was no longer about wanting to use my hand again, or to walk again, don’t get me wrong, those really mattered to me, but what I found surprising, what also really mattered to me, was connecting to my voice again.  New core values were forming underneath this experience and discovering and connecting to those values are some of the keys that helped me to learn to roll and rise again.

Taking time to write changed me.  The Susan who is emerging today not only looks different (who knew I had curl to my hair) but I am different.  I know my story line and its not over.  Growing up believing that the World was going to End would change anyone.  It changed me.  That is just part of my story. It’s a new season. Happy Solstice and Enjoy the Light.  

Xo Susan