A fall season on the move | Power, Partnerships, & Possibilities
Spectacular views from our afternoon hiking expedition that led us through the verdant jungle as well as along the meandering coastline of Nayarit, Mexico.
While I am writing this, I await the arrival of my mezcal cocktail and am watching as a few pelicans nose-dive to discover their evening delights in the Pacific Ocean. The rhythm of the crashing waves next to my table are a soothing elixir, as I savor my final week in Mexico. How can I begin to sum up the happenings of the months since my last newsletter?
Well, let’s see…I spent six weeks traveling through East Africa to visit prospective partners through my work with the Global Engagement Institute. I discovered impactful projects related to global health, clean energy, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
I returned to witness my brother share marital vows with a woman that captures his imagination and lights up his life on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. And the country that I call home, the United States of America, has selected its next President, who strikes fear in the hearts of some, and hope in the imaginations of others.
My inner woo has drawn me back to the lens of numerology to interpret the lessons and experiences of this recent season. Numerology is a spiritual practice that ascribes meaning to numbers. Each digit — and combinations of digits — have a different significance. Like astrology, numerology has personal and collective applications. 2024, when added together creates the number 8, which means the themes of this year include strength, power, and determination (source). While 2023 was the year of Seven, which was all about introspection and curiosity. Eight is meant to take that inner work of the previous year and project it outwards.
During our 6-week East Africa Tour, we met with 8 different universities and over 30 organizations about exciting opportunities to collaborate in alignment with the UN SDGs, and a special emphasis on SDG 17, Partnership for the Goals.
Some deeper insights into these themes were illuminated last week as I was invited to go on a hike with a friend and her husband who live in this area of Mexico. Prior to going on this hike, my friend stated that I have the flexibility to serve as a “captain” or a “cruiser.” What does this mean?
Well apparently there are those in life that default to playing “captain” - preferring to take the reigns, with a natural tendency to plan, and no issue making decisions in their own lives or among a group. Then there are the “cruisers,” who happily give the reins to others, go with the flow, and might get a bit lost without a captain to chart their course. My friend Karen joyfully claimed to be a cruiser, and her husband, Brian, unapologetically owned his firm captain position.
So, how would events unfold with a captain, a cruiser, and a captain/cruiser engaging in a Saturday afternoon adventure hike along the coastal waters of Nayarit?
Our day began with Brian’s online research, which painted a cautionary tale - the trail was said to be badly marked, and many commented that it was hard not to get lost. The thought popped up “is it worth the risk?” Should we choose a more simple activity for the day? Lounging on the beach with a cocktail was always an option. But in the end, we all were committed to the challenge.
My family is growing! Such a wonderful celebration of love, lifelong friendships, and unwavering family. Congratulations to my brother and his beautiful bride, Alexis. My first destination wedding is in the books…definitely a fan.
Brian began anxiously preparing our list of essentials - bug spray, sunscreen, water, and some Mexican nuts, naturally. At this time I stepped out to collect some cash from an ATM as Brian & Karen squabbled a bit about how seriously we should take the online reviews. A cruiser tends to take a “no worries” attitude, whereas the captain tends to carry a lot of the worry in the relationship. I was happy to have an excuse to step out in the middle of this marital debate.
As I made the rounds at a few ATMs before finally finding one that worked, I debated about the role I wanted to play in this adventure. Would I cruise or would I captain, now that I knew the players and the headspace they were bringing to the adventure?
Upon return, I announced that in order to reduce the potential stress and confusion among the group, I would pay to upgrade to AllTrails (a hiking app), and download the map of the hike. Something no one else had volunteered to do, so I guess my inner captain decided it was time to play. A call that has continued to feel undeniable throughout this year.
For those who know me, I have quite a few tales of getting lost on hiking trails, and generously share those stories with a bit of delight at how it showcases my ability to find my way through the “wilderness.” And somehow I have realized that this draw to periodically getting lost in life, in a more metaphorical sense, has become part of my moniker. Sometimes I have a map, and sometimes I don’t, but my intuition has somehow always led me back onto a “path,” with greater wisdom and insight as a result of my choice of the “scenic route.” And the self-trust that has developed through these lived experiences, especially in recent years, is a part of why this year I feel a new level of confidence in assuming roles of leadership moving forward.
Enjoying quality time with my “virtual friend” and colleague, Karen, who generously shared their community ritual of releasing turtles on the beach. My worldwide web of global friendships continues to bring such joy to my spirit!
Doubt could have set in early in the hike, as we did take a “wrong trail,” but through the app, I quickly recognized we were off course, and re-directed us. I reflected on how a past version of me would have judged myself for this “mistake” and feared the doubts this might have ignited in my cruisers. Karen’s comments were that there is never a “wrong path” and that all detours are meant to be. With her spiritual interpretation of the situation at hand, I knew I was in good cruiser company. And so with levity and confidence, we easily found our way back to the proper path.
Given the 2.5 hour hike provided ample amounts of time to entertain each other with stories of misadventures, I revealed one of my most scary wilderness forays. This story involved a love interest who came to visit me in Southern Colorado when I was working on a guest ranch at the age of 22 years old. I trusted this college comrade to take us on what was meant to be an afternoon hike that turned into a 24-hour expedition trying to find our way back to civilization - including scrambling down a mountainside, hiking through a rushing river, and an unexpected night of camping.
With this intel, Captain Brian decided to make a joke about whether I could be trusted to guide our path after such a “failure”- but I said that the lesson of that experience was “be careful who you trust to be your captain.” After saying this out loud, a flood of revelations came to me.
All the times I had allowed myself to be “captained” by people who did not deem themselves worthy of such a title or role - professionally and personally. As well as how many times I had complained about their leadership, while still being too afraid to assume leadership in my own life or within groups.
Or the times where I had been designated “Captain,” but felt resistance because I was leading people who never wanted to be “Cruisers.” And how much I had allowed that to make me doubt my capabilities as a leader.
Solo time getting lost in a book was also part of my recent Mexican adventures. Filling my cup after the busy season traveling and working in East Africa also included long beach walks, virtual catch ups with friends, and community-based spiritual practices.
And lastly I recalled my experiences in recent years hosting Women’s Groups. Those who were participating opted in, and there was a free and open runway to own my role as a Captain. But still I found myself questioning - do these people really trust me? Do I even trust myself?
And as I prepare to facilitate partnerships through my work at the Global Engagement Institute, I feel greatly called to draw upon these lessons and experiences. It feels like no accident that I was participating in this partnership tour during Libra season - the astrology sign which emphasizes balance, cooperation, and mutual respect in partnerships. Partnerships are an ongoing negotiation about who is the Captain and who is the Cruiser.
In order for partnerships to be strong, each party needs to know clearly what they bring to the collaboration, but also what they hope to gain. Essentially they need to come to the table owning their “power” and valuing their contribution. And the partnerships that are the strongest are among two people or organizations that already have a solid individual foundation, which can only be magnified by the combination of strengths.
Of course all these lessons apply in the personal realm, as well. In this recent season, I also re-considered the terms of a former romantic liaison. Despite the mutual care and attraction, we wanted different things from our relationship and had different capacities to contribute. The imbalances were clear, and I let my commitment to mutuality in relationships guide my decision. No forcing or shrinking.
Love the synchronistic signs that often come into full view while traveling. We all have magic inside us…it is just discovering what that is, honoring and nurturing it, and then finding who to share it with who can appreciate and amplify the light.
I also witnessed my brother agree to the ultimate form of partnership - marriage. I was reminded in their vows that for any partnership to stand the test of time, there must be a shared commitment to togetherness and separateness. Which once again, requires that each person have their own solid foundation and connection to self.
So maybe I am realizing that power is the perfect precursor to partnership. First you recognize you actually have it then you make a conscious decision about who you want to share it with. Once commitment to self, and then commitment to collaboration is in place, the possibilities are endless. You can’t betray yourself in a partnership if you are fully in your power.
So, what is next? I will be returning to Kentucky for my first Thanksgiving “at home” in four years. I will be reflecting on the partners who contributed to my life in the last year, personally and professionally, and inviting some of them to preliminary conversations that I will be including in the new YouTube channels I will be launching shortly. And I will be celebrating my birthday in alignment with my storytelling theme, and considering creative collaborators who can help bring this vision to life.
What possibilities, rooted in power and partnership, are you dreaming about as the year draws to a close?
