tag:saragiita.com,2005:/blogs/sunlight-for-survivors?p=2Trust Your Voice2024-03-04T09:34:42-07:00Sara Giita Floresfalsetag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73614152024-03-04T09:34:42-07:002024-03-04T09:34:42-07:00Three Ways to Feed Your Flame this week<div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(80, 80, 80);display:flex;flex-direction:column;font-family:"Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;grid-template-rows:0 var(--cp-nav-height) max-content;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;min-height:100%;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;' id="controlpanel-container"><div style="--remix-container-padding-for-nav:calc(var(--remix-container-main-nav-height) + var(--remix-container-padding-top, 2rem));margin:0px;padding:var(--remix-container-padding-for-nav) 0px 0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" id="remix-container">
<header id="page-header"><div class="header-container" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);width:1303px;"><section id="site-view"><div class="remix" style='--remix-column-gap:.5rem;--remix-container-z:1;box-sizing:border-box;color:var(--remix-content-base);font-family:"Open Sans", sans-serif;font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.575;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-rendering:optimizelegibility;z-index:var(--remix-container-z);'><div class="theme-container -dark" style="--remix-active:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-alert-background:hsl(342, 100%, 95%);--remix-alert:hsl(343, 80%, 44%);--remix-background-accent:hsl(220, 34%, 12%);--remix-background-base:hsl(221, 66%, 6%);--remix-background-inverted:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-button-default-background:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-button-default-border:hsl(213, 15%, 28%);--remix-button-default-disabled-background:hsl(213, 15%, 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0%, 0%);--remix-content-muted-active:hsl(180, 11%, 96%);--remix-content-muted-disabled:hsl(201, 11%, 59%);--remix-content-muted-hover:hsl(180, 11%, 96%);--remix-content-muted-off:rgba(61, 70, 82, .6);--remix-content-muted:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-content-primary-disabled:hsl(203, 68%, 29%);--remix-content-primary-hover:hsl(203, 63%, 38%);--remix-content-primary:hsl(203, 57%, 48%);--remix-date-picker-selected-day-background:hsl(203, 57%, 48%);--remix-default-background:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-default-border:hsl(213, 15%, 28%);--remix-disabled:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-divider:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-error-background:hsl(342, 100%, 95%);--remix-error-border:hsl(343, 64%, 55%);--remix-error:hsl(343, 63%, 79%);--remix-flyout-box-shadow-closed:0 0 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);--remix-flyout-box-shadow-open:0 0 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, .5);--remix-help:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-indicator:hsl(201, 11%, 59%);--remix-input-addon:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-input-background:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-input-border:hsl(213, 15%, 28%);--remix-input-disabled-background:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-input-disabled-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-input-disabled:hsl(213, 15%, 28%);--remix-input-focus-border:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-input-invalid-background:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-input-invalid-border:hsl(343, 64%, 55%);--remix-input-invalid:hsl(343, 63%, 79%);--remix-input-placeholder:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-input:hsl(201, 11%, 59%);--remix-label:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-media-border:hsl(195, 18%, 82%);--remix-media-error-border:hsl(343, 80%, 44%);--remix-media-placeholder-background:hsl(213, 15%, 28%);--remix-media-placeholder-icon:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-media-positive-border:hsl(152, 44%, 43%);--remix-media-primary-border:hsl(203, 57%, 48%);--remix-media-warning-border:hsl(49, 100%, 50%);--remix-message-error:hsl(344, 95%, 16%);--remix-message-positive:hsl(151, 76%, 11%);--remix-message-primary:hsl(204, 74%, 21%);--remix-message-warning:hsl(49, 39%, 20%);--remix-meta:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-modal-background:hsl(220, 34%, 12%);--remix-modal-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-modal-footer:hsl(221, 66%, 6%);--remix-modal-shadow-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, .5);--remix-overlay-active-content:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-overlay-active:rgba(53, 139, 192, .5);--remix-overlay-base:rgba(255, 255, 255, .83);--remix-overlay-inverted-content:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-overlay-inverted:rgba(0, 0, 0, .83);--remix-positive-background:hsl(152, 45%, 94%);--remix-positive-border:hsl(152, 44%, 43%);--remix-positive:hsl(152, 44%, 43%);--remix-primary-background:hsl(202, 42%, 91%);--remix-primary-border:hsl(203, 52%, 81%);--remix-progress-background:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-progress-error-value:hsl(343, 80%, 44%);--remix-progress-positive-value:hsl(152, 44%, 43%);--remix-progress-value:hsl(203, 57%, 48%);--remix-progress-warning-value:hsl(49, 100%, 50%);--remix-range-slider-background:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-range-slider-border:hsl(213, 15%, 28%);--remix-range-slider-thumb-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-range-slider-thumb:hsl(201, 11%, 59%);--remix-range-value:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-section-actions-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-section-border:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-section-muted-background:rgba(101, 113, 123, .2);--remix-section-muted-border:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-section-muted-color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);--remix-section-sidebar-actions-background:hsl(220, 34%, 12%);--remix-section-sidebar-actions-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-section-sidebar-background:hsl(221, 38%, 8%);--remix-section-sidebar-separator-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-section-sidebar-separator:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-section-title:hsl(196, 18%, 75%);--remix-shadow-0-100:1px 1px 15px hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-shadow-0-50:0 0 5px hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-shadow-90-500:0 2px 4px hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-shadow-color-100:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-shadow-color-950-hsl:0deg, 0%, 0%;--remix-shadow-color-950:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);--remix-shadow-raised:1px 12px 15px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, .5);--remix-small-title:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-sub-title:hsl(196, 18%, 75%);--remix-table-header-background:hsl(220, 34%, 12%);--remix-table-header-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-table-row-background:hsl(220, 34%, 12%);--remix-table-row-border:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-table-row-hover-background:hsl(221, 38%, 8%);--remix-table-row-selected-background:hsl(211, 23%, 18%);--remix-tag-alert:hsl(343, 89%, 36%);--remix-tag-button-background:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-tag-default-background:hsl(180, 11%, 96%);--remix-tag-default:hsl(0, 0%, 50%);--remix-tag-primary-background:hsl(203, 57%, 48%);--remix-tag-primary:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-title:hsl(196, 18%, 75%);--remix-toggle-active-background:hsl(152, 44%, 43%);--remix-toggle-background:hsl(207, 10%, 44%);--remix-toggle-button:hsl(0, 0%, 100%);--remix-warning-background:hsl(48, 100%, 95%);--remix-warning-border:hsl(49, 100%, 50%);--remix-warning:hsl(49, 60%, 40%);background-color:var(--remix-background-base);box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--remix-content-base);margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><nav id="cp-nav"><div class="level__right" style="align-items:center;box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;flex:0 0 auto;grid-area:right;margin:0px 0px 0px auto;max-width:100%;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);">
<div class="level__item" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:0 0 auto;justify-content:center;margin:0.5rem 0.5rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/plans" data-ga-event="UpgradeCTA" data-ga-label="Top nav"><strong>UPGRADE</strong></a></div>
<div class="level__item -mr-0-5x email-item" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:0 0 auto;justify-content:center;margin:0.5rem 0.5rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/account/email"><remix-icon name="mail"><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#mail"></use></svg></remix-icon></a></div>
<div class="level__item -mr-0-5x notifications-item" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:0 0 auto;justify-content:center;margin:0.5rem 0.5rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><div class="dropdown -icon-only" style="--remix-dropdown-content-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--remix-dropdown-content-border:var(--remix-button-default-border);--remix-dropdown-content-color:var(--remix-button-default);--remix-dropdown-indicator:var(--remix-indicator);--remix-dropdown-item-color:var(--remix-button-default);--remix-dropdown-item-disabled-color:var(--remix-button-default-disabled);--remix-dropdown-item-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--remix-dropdown-minimum-max-height:18rem;--remix-dropdown-section-accent-background:var(--remix-background-base);--remix-dropdown-section-border:var(--remix-button-default-border);box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" id="navigation-notifications" data-controller="dropdown" data-dropdown-selected-index="null"><a data-dropdown-target="trigger"><remix-icon name="notification"><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#notification"></use></svg></remix-icon></a></div></div>
<div class="level__item -mr-0-5x site-wide-options-item" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:0 0 auto;justify-content:center;margin:0.5rem 0.5rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/site_wide_options"><remix-icon name="gears"><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#gears"></use></svg></remix-icon></a></div>
<div class="level__item avatar-item" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:0 0 auto;justify-content:center;margin:0.5rem 0.5rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><div class="dropdown -icon-only" style="--remix-dropdown-content-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--remix-dropdown-content-border:var(--remix-button-default-border);--remix-dropdown-content-color:var(--remix-button-default);--remix-dropdown-indicator:var(--remix-indicator);--remix-dropdown-item-color:var(--remix-button-default);--remix-dropdown-item-disabled-color:var(--remix-button-default-disabled);--remix-dropdown-item-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--remix-dropdown-minimum-max-height:18rem;--remix-dropdown-section-accent-background:var(--remix-background-base);--remix-dropdown-section-border:var(--remix-button-default-border);box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" data-controller="dropdown" data-dropdown-selected-index="null"><a data-dropdown-target="trigger"><remix-icon name="foo"><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#foo"></use></svg></remix-icon></a></div></div>
<div class="level__item view-site-item" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:0 0 auto;justify-content:center;margin:0.5rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/pages/group-course/view_site?cp_return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbandzoogle.com%2Fcontrolpanel%2Fcampaigns%2F918453%2Fedit&preview_from_cp=1" data-template="/controlpanel/pages/%7B%7Bpage%7D%7D/view_site?cp_return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbandzoogle.com%2Fcontrolpanel%2Fcampaigns%2F918453%2Fedit&preview_from_cp=1">View site</a></div>
</div></nav></div></div></section></div></header><div class="remix" style='--remix-column-gap:.5rem;--remix-container-z:1;box-sizing:border-box;color:var(--remix-content-base);font-family:"Open Sans", sans-serif;font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.575;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-rendering:optimizelegibility;z-index:var(--remix-container-z);' data-section="campaigns" data-subsection="edit" data-classes="" data-return-url="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns">
<section><div class="sidebar__menu-header" style="align-items:center;box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;grid-area:menu-header;margin:1rem 0px;min-height:2.5rem;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns" data-controller="return-link"><remix-icon name="chevron-left"><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#chevron-left"></use></svg></remix-icon>Back</a></div>
<aside id="cp-navigation-sidebar-menu" data-controller="sidebar"><aside><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns/918453/style"><span><remix-icon name="check" positive=""><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#check"></use></svg></remix-icon></span></a><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns/918453/style"><span>Choose a style</span></a><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns/918453/edit"><span>2Compose email</span></a><a><span>3Preview email4Choose recipients5Schedule mailout</span></a></p></aside></aside><div class="container -padded -left -wide sidebar__header -padded-on-mobile -compact" style="align-items:center;box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-shrink:0;grid-area:header;margin-inline:0px;margin:1rem 0px;max-width:min(100vw, 1000px);min-height:0px;padding-inline:2rem;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><div class="columns -mobile -gapless " style="--remix-column-gap:0px;--remix-columns-bottom-padding:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * 2);box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:1 1 0%;margin-bottom:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);margin-left:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);margin-right:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);margin-top:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);max-width:calc(100% + var(--remix-column-gap) * 2);padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><h2>Compose your email</h2></div></div>
<div class="sidebar__content container -left -padded -wide" style="box-sizing:inherit;grid-area:content;margin-inline:0px;margin:0px;max-width:min(100vw, 1000px);padding-inline:2rem;padding:0px 0px 2rem;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" id="cp-remix-content-container">
<div class="remix-flash-wrapper" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" id="remix-flash-wrapper"> </div>
<form data-controller="form" action="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns/918453" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post" novalidate="true">
<fieldset>
<div class="fields" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:grid !important;gap:var(--remix-fields-gap);grid-auto-flow:row;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);">
<div class="fields -two -columns" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:grid !important;gap:var(--remix-fields-gap);grid-auto-flow:row;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);">
<div class="field" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:var(--remix-field-gap);margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);">
<p><label for="campaign_from_name"><strong>Your name</strong></label></p>
<div class="control field__control" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><input type="text" value="Sara Giita Flores" name="campaign[from_name]" id="campaign_from_name"></div>
</div>
<div class="field" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:var(--remix-field-gap);margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);">
<p><label for="campaign_from_email"><strong>Your email address</strong></label></p>
<div class="control field__control" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><input required="required" type="text" value="sara.piano.voice@gmail.com" name="campaign[from_email]" id="campaign_from_email"></div>
<p>This will be the from address in your campaign</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fields -two -columns" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:grid !important;gap:var(--remix-fields-gap);grid-auto-flow:row;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><div class="field" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:var(--remix-field-gap);margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);">
<p><label for="campaign_subject"><strong>Subject</strong></label></p>
<div class="control field__control" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><input required="required" minlength="18" type="text" name="campaign[subject]" id="campaign_subject"></div>
</div></div>
<div class="buttons visibility " style="align-items:center;box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;justify-content:flex-start;margin:0px 0px 0.5rem;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" data-toggle-group="attach-free-download"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://bandzoogle.com/controlpanel/campaigns/918453/edit#" data-controller="toggle-trigger" data-action="toggle-trigger#toggle" data-toggle-trigger-targets="[data-toggle-group=attach-free-download]"><remix-icon name="download"><svg part="svg"><use href="/assets/remix-icons-6XZELKLR.digested.svg#download"></use></svg></remix-icon><span>Attach a free download</span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" data-controller="match-widths">
<hr>
<div class="mail-wrap" style='background-color:rgb(130, 74, 74);box-sizing:inherit;font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;' data-theme-editor-target="dataOptionsContainer" data-match-widths-target="source"><figure class="table"><table style="background-color:rgb(130, 74, 74);" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:0px;text-align:center;vertical-align:top;"><figure class="table" style="width:863.891px;"><table style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border:2px solid rgb(221, 221, 221);" id="content-area" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding:0px;text-align:center;" id="header-graphic"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/45a600218d9e1e56a92aae3b21855d1d66bb688f/original/email-header-large-photo.jpg/!!/b%3AW1sic2NhbGUiLDEwMF0sWyJleHRyYWN0Iix7ImxlZnQiOjAsInRvcCI6MCwid2lkdGgiOjYwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyMDB9XV0%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Sara Giita Flores" height="200" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:1em;vertical-align:top;" align="left">
<p>Formatting tip: Press Enter for a new paragraph. Press Shift and Enter together for a line break</p>
<div class="columns" style="--remix-columns-bottom-padding:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * 2);box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex:1 1 0%;margin-bottom:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);margin-left:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);margin-right:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);margin-top:calc(var(--remix-column-gap) * -1);max-width:calc(100% + var(--remix-column-gap) * 2);padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><div class="field -is-narrow" style="box-sizing:inherit;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:var(--remix-field-gap);margin:0px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);"><div class="control field__control" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;max-width:847px;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" data-match-widths-target="dest"><div style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" data-ckeditor-five-config-value="campaign" data-ckeditor-five-font-colors-value='[{"color":"#1e1c1c"},{"color":"#f3d639"},{"color":"#824a4a"},{"color":"#e0c11c"},{"color":"#57808e"},{"color":"#fafafa"},{"color":"#000000"},{"color":"#aaada7"}]' data-ckeditor-five-link-picker-url-value="/controlpanel/pages/picker.json" data-ckeditor-five-user-file-uploader-url-value="/controlpanel/user_files/new" data-ckeditor-five-cache-key-value="campaign-918453" data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-model-value="image" data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-url-value="/controlpanel/images" data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-bucket-value="bzglfilesup" data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-dest-value="https://bzglfilesup.s3.amazonaws.com" data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-aws-params-value='{"acl":"bucket-owner-full-control","success_action_status":"201","x-amz-credential":"AKIA2AEJH4L5ZM2V547P/20240304/ca-central-1/s3/aws4_request","x-amz-algorithm":"AWS4-HMAC-SHA256","x-amz-date":"20240304T000000Z","policy":"eyJleHBpcmF0aW9uIjoiMjAzNC0wMS0wMVQwMDowMDowMFoiLCJjb25kaXRpb25zIjpbeyJidWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXN1cCJ9LFsic3RhcnRzLXdpdGgiLCIka2V5IiwiIl0seyJzdWNjZXNzX2FjdGlvbl9zdGF0dXMiOiIyMDEifSx7ImFjbCI6ImJ1Y2tldC1vd25lci1mdWxsLWNvbnRyb2wifSx7IngtYW16LWNyZWRlbnRpYWwiOiJBS0lBMkFFSkg0TDVaTTJWNTQ3UC8yMDI0MDMwNC9jYS1jZW50cmFsLTEvczMvYXdzNF9yZXF1ZXN0In0seyJ4LWFtei1hbGdvcml0aG0iOiJBV1M0LUhNQUMtU0hBMjU2In0seyJ4LWFtei1kYXRlIjoiMjAyNDAzMDRUMDAwMDAwWiJ9XX0=","x-amz-signature":"18b658579c941ef68745f283dab68209dd11cfbaeb6ba4b41a0e0e35f3bd57ce"}' data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-allowed-extensions-value='["png","jpeg","jpg","gif","bmp","ico","webp"]' data-ckeditor-five-image-upload-extra-form-params-value='{"image":{"website_id":284651}}' 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<div class="ck ck-editor__top ck-reset_all" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;background-color:transparent;border-collapse:collapse;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;float:none;font:normal 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normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:auto;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:break-word;padding:0px;position:static;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;transition:none 0s ease 0s;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:auto;"><div class="ck ck-sticky-panel__content" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;background-color:transparent;border-collapse:collapse;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;float:none;font:normal normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:auto;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:break-word;padding:0px;position:static;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;transition:none 0s ease 0s;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:auto;"><div class="ck ck-toolbar ck-toolbar_grouping" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;align-items:center;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-collapse:collapse;border-image-outset:;border-image-repeat:;border-image-slice:;border-image-source:;border-image-width:;border-top-left-radius:;border-top-right-radius:;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;display:flex;flex-flow:row;float:none;font:normal normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:auto;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:break-word;padding:0 var(--ck-spacing-small);position:static;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;transition:none 0s ease 0s;user-select:none;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:auto;z-index:var(--ck-z-modal);" role="toolbar" aria-label="Editor toolbar" tabindex="-1"><div class="ck ck-toolbar__items" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;align-items:center;background-color:transparent;border-collapse:collapse;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;display:flex;flex-flow:row;flex-grow:1;float:none;font:normal normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:auto;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;margin-right:var(--ck-spacing-small);margin-top:0px;overflow-wrap:break-word;padding:0px;position:static;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;transition:none 0s ease 0s;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:auto;"><div class="ck ck-dropdown ck-disabled ck-heading-dropdown" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;background-color:transparent;border-collapse:collapse;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;display:inline-block;float:none;font-family:;font-feature-settings:;font-kerning:;font-optical-sizing:;font-size:inherit;font-stretch:;font-style:;font-variant-alternates:;font-variant-caps:;font-variant-east-asian:;font-variant-ligatures:;font-variant-numeric:;font-variant-position:;font-variation-settings:;font-weight:;height:auto;line-height:;margin-bottom:var(--ck-spacing-small);margin-left:0px;margin-right:var(--ck-spacing-small);margin-top:var(--ck-spacing-small);overflow-wrap:break-word;padding:0px;position:relative;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;transition:none 0s ease 0s;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:auto;"><button type="button" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Heading" data-cke-tooltip-text="Heading" data-cke-tooltip-position="s" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-disabled="true"><span class="ck ck-button__label" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; --ck-border-radius: var(--remix-border-radius); --ck-font-size-base: .875rem; --ck-color-base-background: var(--remix-background-base); --ck-color-base-border: var(--remix-default-border); --ck-color-base-text: var(--remix-content-base); --ck-color-focus-border: var(--remix-input-focus-border); --ck-color-focus-outer-shadow: var(--remix-input-focus-border); --ck-color-text: var(--ck-color-base-text); --ck-color-shadow-drop: var(--remix-shadow-color-100); --ck-color-shadow-drop-active: var(--remix-shadow-color-950); --ck-color-button-default-background: var(--remix-button-default-background); --ck-color-button-default-hover-background: var(--remix-button-default-hover-background); --ck-color-button-default-active-background: var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background); --ck-color-button-default-disabled-background: var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background); --ck-color-button-on-background: var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background); --ck-color-button-on-hover-background: var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background); --ck-color-button-on-active-background: var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background); --ck-color-button-on-disabled-background: var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background); --ck-color-button-on-color: var(--remix-content-base); --ck-color-button-save: var(--remix-button-simple-primary); --ck-color-button-cancel: var(--remix-button-simple-destructive); --ck-color-split-button-hover-background: var(--remix-button-default-hover-background); --ck-color-split-button-hover-border: var(--remix-button-default-hover-border); --ck-color-dropdown-panel-background: var(--ck-color-base-background); --ck-color-dropdown-panel-border: var(--ck-color-base-border); --ck-color-input-background: var(--remix-input-background); --ck-color-input-border: var(--remix-input-border); --ck-color-input-error-border: var(--remix-input-invalid-border); --ck-color-input-text: var(--remix-input); --ck-color-input-disabled-background: --var(--remix-disabled-background); --ck-color-input-disabled-border: --var(--remix-disabled-border); --ck-color-input-disabled-text: --var(--remix-disabled-background); --ck-color-list-background: var(--remix-background-accent); --ck-color-list-button-hover-background: var(--remix-button-default-hover-background); --ck-color-list-button-on-background: var(--remix-button-default-hover-background); --ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus: var(--remix-button-default-hover-background); --ck-color-list-button-on-text: var(--remix-button-default); --ck-color-panel-background: var(--ck-color-base-background); --ck-color-panel-border: var(--ck-color-base-border); --ck-color-toolbar-background: var(--ck-color-base-background); --ck-color-toolbar-border: var(--ck-color-base-border); --ck-color-tooltip-background: var(--ck-color-base-text); --ck-color-tooltip-text: var(--ck-color-base-background); --ck-color-link-default: var(--remix-content-primary); box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; position: static; width: 8em; overflow-wrap: break-word; background: transparent; border: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: none 0s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; color: inherit; cursor: inherit; float: none; font-style: ; font-variant-ligatures: ; font-variant-caps: ; font-variant-numeric: ; font-variant-east-asian: ; font-variant-alternates: ; font-variant-position: ; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: ; font-size: inherit; line-height: ; font-family: ; font-optical-sizing: ; font-kerning: ; font-feature-settings: ; font-variation-settings: ; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; display: inline-block; opacity: var(--ck-disabled-opacity); overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;">Choose heading</span><svg class="ck ck-icon ck-reset_all-excluded ck-icon_inherit-color ck-dropdown__arrow" viewbox="0 0 10 10"><path d="M.941 4.523a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06-1.06l3.006 3.005 3.005-3.005a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.549 3.55a.75.75 0 0 1-1.168-.136L.941 4.523z"></path></svg></button></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<div class="ck ck-editor__main" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);" role="presentation"><div class="ck ck-content ck-editor__editable ck-rounded-corners ck-editor__editable_inline ck-blurred" 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255, 255);background-image:;background-origin:;background-position-x:;background-position-y:;background-repeat:;background-size:;border-bottom-left-radius:;border-bottom-right-radius:;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border:2px solid rgb(221, 221, 221);box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:18px;margin:0px;min-height:10rem;overflow-wrap:anywhere;overflow:auto;padding-block:1rem;padding:0 var(--ck-spacing-standard);scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;" lang="en" dir="ltr" role="textbox" aria-label="Editor editing area: main" contenteditable="true">
<p>Just as we need healthy food and clean water on a daily basis, I also believe we need regular doses of inspiration to feed our spirit. Here are three ways you can BE UPLIFTED this week:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>1</strong>. <strong>Cultivate Your Courage to Lead Your Empowered, Creative Life</strong> with a free workshop on Thursday from the powerful Laura Elly Hudson. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultivate-courage-to-lead-your-empowered-creative-life-tickets-833935923797" data-link-type="url">Click here to register!</a></p>
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<hr>
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</div>
</div>
<p><strong>2. Build your resilience with a speaker and networking event on Friday: </strong></p>
<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/events/298757055/">Staying Strong and Sassy through the Entrepreneurial Journey, Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 12:00 PM | Meetup</a></p>
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<hr>
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<div class="ck ck-widget__type-around__button ck-widget__type-around__button_before" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;border-collapse:collapse;border-radius:100px;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;display:block;float:none;font:normal normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:var(--ck-widget-type-around-button-size);left:min(10%, 30px);margin:0px;opacity:0;overflow-wrap:break-word;overflow:hidden;padding:0px;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;top:calc(var(--ck-widget-outline-thickness)*-.5);transform:translateY(-50%);transition:opacity var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-duration) var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-curve),background var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-duration) var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-curve);vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:var(--ck-widget-type-around-button-size);z-index:var(--ck-z-default);" title="Insert paragraph before block" aria-hidden="true"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 10 8"><path d="M9.055.263v3.972h-6.77M1 4.216l2-2.038m-2 2 2 2.038"></path></svg></div>
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</div>
</div>
<p><strong>3. Book a free Clarity Call with me.</strong> </p>
<p>If you are interested in honing the power of your voice so you can connect more deeply with your ideal audience, clients, or customers, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://calendly.com/saragiita" data-link-type="url">you are invited to book a free call</a>. The deadline to join the Unleash Your Goddess Voice Course has been extended to Saturday, March 9<sup>th</sup>, so there is still time to join this powerful group of women!</p>
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<hr>
<div class="ck ck-reset_all ck-widget__type-around" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;background-color:transparent;border-collapse:collapse;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;float:none;font:normal normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:auto;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:break-word;padding:0px;position:static;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;transition:none 0s ease 0s;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:auto;">
<div class="ck ck-widget__type-around__button ck-widget__type-around__button_before" style="--ck-border-radius:var(--remix-border-radius);--ck-color-base-background:var(--remix-background-base);--ck-color-base-border:var(--remix-default-border);--ck-color-base-text:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-cancel:var(--remix-button-simple-destructive);--ck-color-button-default-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-default-background:var(--remix-button-default-background);--ck-color-button-default-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-default-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-button-on-active-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-on-color:var(--remix-content-base);--ck-color-button-on-disabled-background:var(--remix-button-default-disabled-background);--ck-color-button-on-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-toggled-background);--ck-color-button-save:var(--remix-button-simple-primary);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-dropdown-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-focus-border:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-focus-outer-shadow:var(--remix-input-focus-border);--ck-color-input-background:var(--remix-input-background);--ck-color-input-border:var(--remix-input-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-background:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-disabled-border:--var(--remix-disabled-border);--ck-color-input-disabled-text:--var(--remix-disabled-background);--ck-color-input-error-border:var(--remix-input-invalid-border);--ck-color-input-text:var(--remix-input);--ck-color-link-default:var(--remix-content-primary);--ck-color-list-background:var(--remix-background-accent);--ck-color-list-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background-focus:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-list-button-on-text:var(--remix-button-default);--ck-color-panel-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-panel-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-shadow-drop-active:var(--remix-shadow-color-950);--ck-color-shadow-drop:var(--remix-shadow-color-100);--ck-color-split-button-hover-background:var(--remix-button-default-hover-background);--ck-color-split-button-hover-border:var(--remix-button-default-hover-border);--ck-color-text:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-toolbar-background:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-color-toolbar-border:var(--ck-color-base-border);--ck-color-tooltip-background:var(--ck-color-base-text);--ck-color-tooltip-text:var(--ck-color-base-background);--ck-font-size-base:.875rem;border-collapse:collapse;border-radius:100px;border-width:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:var(--ck-color-text);cursor:auto;display:block;float:none;font:normal normal normal var(--ck-font-size-base)/var(--ck-line-height-base) var(--ck-font-face);height:var(--ck-widget-type-around-button-size);left:min(10%, 30px);margin:0px;opacity:0;overflow-wrap:break-word;overflow:hidden;padding:0px;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--cp-nav-height) + 1em);text-align:left;text-decoration:none;top:calc(var(--ck-widget-outline-thickness)*-.5);transform:translateY(-50%);transition:opacity var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-duration) var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-curve),background var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-duration) var(--ck-widget-handler-animation-curve);vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap;width:var(--ck-widget-type-around-button-size);z-index:var(--ck-z-default);" title="Insert paragraph before block" aria-hidden="true"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 10 8"><path d="M9.055.263v3.972h-6.77M1 4.216l2-2.038m-2 2 2 2.038"></path></svg></div>
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<p>Choices can be exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. If that’s you, I recommend you take a moment to tune in with your intuition to choose <strong>just one</strong> of the options above that <strong>feel like an aligned, inner YES!</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finally, I will leave you with a food-for-the-soul poem I created a few years back.</p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/a5650accdacca5d158111ba4c1159a264e77a09e/original/feed-your-flame.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="1080" width="1080" /><p> </p>
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</div><p><br> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73575202024-02-26T11:05:16-07:002024-02-26T11:06:17-07:00How to Make Your Voice Heard and Valued<p>Three years ago, I knew I had wisdom inside that was meant to be shared. Yet I struggled to find many people who wanted to listen. </p><p><span class="text-big">I would work so hard to bolster up my self-belief and offer something new to the world, but then I’d plunge into self-doubt with every little rejection, question, or criticism that I received.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>I was trying make my voice heard by shouting into the wind, and I grew exhausted.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/1751fc3a1cc8a5410e6f86e1a169a3f92acb1ab6/original/windy.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="2965" /><p><o:p></o:p></p><p>I knew I wanted a loving support system for my creative business, but I wasn’t finding what I craved in the world around me.<o:p></o:p></p><p>I realized that I needed to create that support for myself. But where would I find the people who would be part of my intimate, cackling coven? I was left searching for months.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Then one day, I followed an inner impulse. I met a fellow writer and entrepreneur in a zoom breakout room and spoke up to see if she wanted to start a writer’s group together. Then I reached out to another writer, an acquaintance, and amazingly she wanted to join the group as well. The spark of my Goddess Voice led me to connect with these two deep souls and create the support system I needed.<o:p></o:p></p><p><strong>As I shared my writing and my voice with the group, I found it easier to believe in myself.</strong> Their love, respect, and valuing of my wisdom built my confidence. Now, I had a place to turn when navigating the waters of rejection and criticism that often come with the territory of entrepreneurship, writing, and speaking.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big">As I began to receive their deep witnessing, acknowledgement, and support, my capacity to receive grew. I began to trust myself.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>Whereas the culture of domination taught me to expect my voice to be DISMISSED, this sacred container allowed me to heal by having a new experience. <strong>Every time I spoke up, I got to see the impact of my words reflected back to me through the faces, eyes, and voices of these attentive listeners. <o:p></o:p></strong></p><p>This allowed me to INTERNALIZE A TRUTH: that my voice and my wisdom are valuable. <o:p></o:p></p><p>I had tried to get to that level of self-belief through years’ worth of therapy, affirmations, books, and webinars. <span style="color:#57808e;"><strong>But it never managed to sink in, until I learned to be deeply seen and heard in a safe, small group container.</strong></span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/366f7c434151668be51ba2cc0c125a8d02ac238d/original/support.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="4000" /><p><o:p></o:p></p><p>Through the healing power of committed community, something started to shift on the outside as well. When I put a new song, speech, class, or offering into the world, I expected it to be received and valued. </p><p>And the vast majority of the time since this shift, my voice has been heard and valued on a much bigger scale than ever before.</p><hr><p><o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big">I learned that in order to overcome the patterns of self-doubt imposed on us by patriarchy, discrimination, or trauma, we need to learn to be seen, heard, and accepted in our authenticity. Only once we have been supported by intimate community will we have the strength and ease to put ourselves out there to spread our message, again and again.</span></p><hr><p><o:p></o:p></p><p>I truly believe in the transformative power of having a group to celebrate, witness, and value your blossoming voice, message, and work.<o:p></o:p></p><p>That’s why I created the Unleash Your Goddess Voice Course, an intimate 12-week coaching experience starting Wednesday, March 6<sup>th</sup>. I will be holding space and offering guidance for your unique voice and message to come through with even deeper power and possibility.<o:p></o:p></p><p>No matter what speaking or marketing-related project you want to bring into the world, this is your magical place to deeply seed your confidence. You will leave with:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;">
<li>Practical tools to speak in a way that naturally <strong>attracts your ideal audience, clients, and customers</strong><o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Clarity</strong> about your own message and unique gifts<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>Tools to help you <strong>speak up and set boundaries</strong> in your personal and professional life<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>Guidance on <strong>how to calm your nerves</strong> when being seen and heard<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>Opportunities to<strong> practice speaking</strong> and receive supportive feedback<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>A <strong>deep trust in your voice</strong> and ability to be seen and heard on a bigger level<o:p></o:p>
</li>
</ul><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/ff2b9deaad019b3e75a4c31e259dca98cc5a5ad9/original/crowd.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="2786" /><p><span class="text-big">If you are curious about how the Unleash Your Goddess Voice Course can help you achieve these results, book a free call with me to see if this is an amazing fit. We start in just over one week, so now is the time to act!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><h2>
<a class="no-pjax" href="https://calendly.com/saragiita" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">Book a free call with Sara</span></a><o:p></o:p>
</h2>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73501222024-02-12T10:52:52-07:002024-02-12T10:53:49-07:00Celebrate V-Day with a FREE Gift!<p>It's almost Valentine's Day, which to me is about much more than romantic love. It's a chance to celebrate love in all its forms, including spreading Universal Love for all beings.</p><p>In the spirit of spreading the love, I would like to offer you a free gift to build your vocal skill and confidence, no matter how far you are on the journey of speaking up or singing out. </p><p>I created a collection of thirteen recordings of the meditations and practices from my new book, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://saragiita.com/book" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Book"><i>Unleash Your Goddess Voice</i></a>. </p><p> </p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/46b7fd360e15a6855417d130f0109b54dab0244b/original/free-gift-for-you.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><p> </p><h3><a class="no-pjax" href="/free" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Free">Click here to access your free gift!</a></h3><p> </p><h3>In other good news, I want to invite you to these upcoming FREE events:</h3><p>Virtual Workshop: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/events/299014235/">The Secret to Sustainably Playing Big in Your Business- Virtual, Wed, Feb 21, 2024, 11:00 AM | Meetup</a></p><p>Workshop in Littleton, Colorado: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/events/299014283/">The Secret to Sustainably Playing Big in Your Business- In-Person, Fri, Feb 23, 2024, 11:00 AM | Meetup</a></p><p>Virtual Workshop: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/events/299104423/?isFirstPublish=true">Ask a Vocal Coach: Networking and Q&A, Sat, Mar 2, 2024, 11:00 AM | Meetup</a></p><p>Finally, you are invited to join the <a class="no-pjax" href="/group-course" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Group Course">Unleash Your Goddess Voice Course.</a></p><p> </p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/f75c4616c6787cae5cc633d29ecebd7f0dcedcd3/original/value-proposition-2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p> </p><p>If you want to find out more about this course or working 1-on-1 with me, you are invited to<a class="no-pjax" href="https://calendly.com/saragiita" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"> schedule a free, no-pressure Clarity Call here.</a></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73473832024-02-07T09:58:26-07:002024-02-07T09:59:15-07:0015-Second Voice Practice to Shift Your Perspective<p><o:p></o:p>Here’s a 15-second voice practice that can shift your perspective on the power of sound.</p><p><strong>First, gently plug both of your ears with your fingers. Then take a deep breath and start humming.</strong></p><p>What do you notice? Can you feel the vibrations created by your voice?</p><p>Quite often, we move through our days without appreciating the impact created by our vocal vibrations. When I speak of vibrations, I’m not just talking about intangible life force energy here. </p><p><strong>Our voices create measurable vibrations known as soundwaves,</strong> which push the air around us and affect all the people, animals, plants, and objects nearby.</p><p><i>If you’re not tuned in, these effects may seem negligible.</i></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Yet if you pay attention, you start to see how your voice creates reality. </span></p><ul>
<li>When you speak your plans out loud, that opens up a door for action to follow. </li>
<li>When you voice your feelings, that allows them to be felt, moved, and transformed. </li>
<li>When you communicate with others, every word forms the basis of a relationship.<o:p></o:p>
</li>
</ul><p> </p><p><strong>Every word holds enormous power to move you deeper into fear and hiding, or to catapult you into love, possibility, and aliveness.</strong></p><p>And as you CHOOSE in every moment how to cultivate your silence and your vocal sounds, you are also spreading that energy into the world around you.</p><p>If you’re here in my community, I know you wish to share love and wholeness through your voice. You want to serve our collective healing and liberation.</p><p>I am here to inspire and support you on that journey, and here are <strong>three practical ways</strong> you can connect to the power of your voice today:<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p><span style="color:hsl(90,75%,60%);">Number 1: </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="/group-course" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Group Course">Join the Unleash Your Goddess Voice Course,</a> a deep and empowering journey for empathic women entrepreneurs, writers, and creatives who want to share their message to create more positive impact. (Early bird pricing ends Saturday so <a class="no-pjax" href="/group-course" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Group Course">Click here!</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p><span style="color:hsl(90,75%,60%);">Number 2:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>Write a review for my book, <i>Unleash Your Goddess Voice</i> </p><p>(or purchase it as a gift for yourself or others)</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Your-Goddess-Voice-Resilience/dp/B0CP4ZXQ4Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=R7AA4CEDQNDK&keywords=unleash+your+goddess+voice&qid=1707324498&sprefix=unleash+your+godde%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Write a Review on Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unleash-your-goddess-voice-sara-giita-flores/1144406132?ean=9798869007858" data-link-type="url">Write a Review on Barnes & Noble</a><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p><span style="color:hsl(90,75%,60%);">Number 3:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>Watch <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/WhCEk-cCUz8?si=2-IYYFaJrsvei0Zq" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">this video interview </a>I gave with the fabulous Betsy Jordyn for the Enough Already! Podcast.<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>Go forth and enjoy your beautiful, impactful voice!</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73428222024-01-30T11:11:39-07:002024-02-07T09:59:15-07:00I didn't think I could do it. I proved myself wrong.<p>I have an exciting announcement to make.</p><p>But first, I would love to share with you a fun story about following my heart.</p><p>Last October when my kids had a break from school, we stuffed our little car to the brim and set off for Southern Colorado. We were blessed with abundant sunshine and fall colors on our five-hour road trip to Alamosa and the Great Sand Dunes National Park.</p><p>What would a great road trip be without stopping off at a quirky roadside attraction? We pulled into the parking lot of Colorado Gators, a working fish farm and natural hot springs where they brought in alligators to feed on the waste byproducts from fish farming. Sometimes shoddy-looking chain-link fences are all that separate visitors from hundreds of alligators of varying sizes.</p><p>Halfway into our visit, a young man approached us. “Have you had a chance to hold a one-year-old alligator yet?” He asked.</p><p>My initial reaction was fear and revulsion. No way would I hold an alligator in my hands. They have sharp teeth, after all.</p><p>But as the young man who worked there showed us how it was done, a different emotion emerged: excitement. A part of me leapt forward, sensing that this opportunity would bring more aliveness, fulfillment, and adventure into my life.</p><p>My fourteen-year-old son was the first to hold the alligator. The guide showed him exactly where to place his hands, and gave a useful tip:</p><p>“The most important thing is to hold it firmly and confidently. If you waiver, that’s where problems arise.”</p><p>“Firmly and confidently,” I repeated to myself. I realized I could do this! I spoke up and said I wanted a turn, and the young man placed that alligator in my hands.</p><img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NbNtIJ8WXvOUCLeGgpd3B8Vr3ogzggSJ62N7AXBSqnB1zm1eEpr_xS49rt-jbCSYlwNIw8zfKfOLLxIAwAI4AliCFkNXJ9ocHqtUZEX9T-Uy67rvHI6bGhsZUpeyUiPiIlq5RJ3LzsbQ0DlrKF1jQy1uGytvQPVtGKnzZ9rtxzR0q7jDT1yK2PKr_OyqElJBO-lgyRKrgFqUz_RqxcXp7S5xquR6KKzbKMOc-xXbC6A0i3EnxImef7697kD-44=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/248bdc7ce54109cd6a5bffe1956efacdea22a82d/original/alligator.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /><p><i>(I love my husband’s expression in this photo. Priceless.)</i></p><p> </p><p>Because I had an experienced guide, what once seemed daunting became manageable and exciting.</p><p>Because I had someone who had helped many unsure people do something scary, his confidence became my confidence.</p><p>This is the power of effective coaching. When you have a trustworthy guide, things that seem hard become fun and doable.</p><p>Whether you find it a little scary to:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;">
<li>Speak up in public</li>
<li>Share your message with bigger audiences</li>
<li>Promote your business, book, or creative project</li>
<li>Set boundaries to improve your interpersonal relationships</li>
<li>Or share your most vulnerable and powerful stories</li>
</ul><p>I know the healing power of having a guide who believes in you. </p><p>I know the healing power of being deeply seen, held, respected, and supported.</p><p>People have been asking me for months to create a sacred group journey to accompany my new book, and I am pleased to announce that I listened to the call.</p><p>The Unleash Your Goddess Voice Course will help you overcome habits of people-pleasing or dimming your voice so you can speak up, sing out, and spread your message with confidence.</p><p><strong>Even if you’ve already empowered yourself in many ways, this opportunity will help you build deeper reverence for your voice, hone your speaking skills, and share your wisdom in a way that makes others want to listen.</strong></p><p>This is my most potent guidance, from my heart to yours.</p><p>Ready to discover what it's all about?</p><p> </p><img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NaejZCRxBV6CR8MAlMMcCbdo-FQ_bOHV36VRzV_dXyX7uFqEDdpfr2IYsm5Y5N4UZ9P3_g7Op_rMeGHGwOcwu2bWD2lymQbSXkqTH2mEexQNeuwunutUGCkbGGy_kq5dd4eS5MgLhC6UL5zL9bEFYeyXNOYFHCqf00T8Z41rbWqltm2GjcM-JVMmPvoONYm7NC3vTFw5s7lrmgeci7cl1SVAhZE_xc8vEzMcOfj_yjyLQM6gfxsQU88mo_4BsPnU0dT9A_yxR8pNOXiUgG7OU8=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/52b9125b49708ae632ca6d638ef194cb320340f9/original/click-here-to-find-out-more.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p> </p><p> </p><p>Much love,</p><p>Sara Giita Flores</p><p>P.S. If you feel a bubbling of aliveness at this new opportunity, <a class="no-pjax" href="/group-course" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Group Course" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://u648841.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn%3D7Aovjdb3SfMBRtrBOegnIa2WWzb7nE8f8B8DiJZ1gagalvAC1SAaixIzoF8vzSNwzmk4aII5vGvm-2BWEGkva4L7EYMZq8Jy0ADV2O6o-2BaRhpyA-2FDMJC0M62JJGwbme6JAbftmaIbHFdyJKwbgDieiSqKu16FvaL-2FD3x7UJj11GnQ-3DuIZQ_-2Bf8XJXnNynEAalb64pw8qBv5rB-2F-2FQ6oXpfSwg2dWmewZP4zqZMnNvKPSYGb-2BSBf84JrY3CL-2Fnmu30nPCETGVooyOFsJ63jwFkCuQbsHNUzOkYTIV69ifdlo5cT07GdJLhIRcK2o5sQSmwkVf53HXVLuSG-2Fq09x-2BEKVs3OxQBCh3Wf5-2B6rIa3GzXjp5cW6TCMBeFCCxa-2Fv-2BqzlXxserImvSON9uUZt2fD0GzCjTYUFXnrebmibIabP-2BSf1htoTOm3qVlUqYgsHkPuKStUFO0wDRtMaVlhbab3XGgQsUcXh48aQm2WzOBVluBGDs2EYZGyYE0CrtVDSXzV212d0GA0amZ-2FTI4AoTXtMJouSNQMEm8-3D&source=gmail&ust=1706724538182000&usg=AOvVaw3hhK9V7hQN3MbuI7P2Rg_A"><u> here's the link with all the details!</u></a></p><p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73405212024-01-26T09:39:31-07:002024-01-26T09:39:31-07:00A Tortoise, a ladybug, a lioness, and a Goddess<p>Sometimes we need a little boost to make ourselves heard in this noisy world. Not just heard with the ears but heard with the heart. Heard, seen, valued and respected.</p><p>Over almost 17 years of being in business, performing, and speaking professionally, I have honed practices to align my energy to make myself heard.</p><p>But energy is nebulous and hard to describe. I needed a way to teach that intangible wisdom to my clients and students. </p><p>After a lot of deep reflection, the four Voice Archetypes came to me.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/4acc1a3f611c213e1e7d1682c80d303092310937/original/the-voice-archetypes-graphic.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>I write about the Voice Archetypes in Chapter 10 of my new book, <i>Unleash Your Goddess Voice.</i> But if you're looking for a sneak peek, you can hear about them in a beautiful podcast conversation I had with Shanne Boss.</p><p>You will learn how the wisdom of the archetypes can help you regulate your nervous system and feel safe making yourself heard on any scale you choose.</p><p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">Watch the interview on YouTube: </span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/6hpllD6Qbcg?si=GZFjl31VqJkYILQX" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/6hpllD6Qbcg?si%3DGZFjl31VqJkYILQX&source=gmail&ust=1706372611740000&usg=AOvVaw2ifioZG0zDyGZ3R7-1xNPk">https://youtu.be/6hpllD6Qbcg?<wbr>si=GZFjl31VqJkYILQX</wbr></a></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto"> </div><p>Listen on Spotify: </p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto"><div>
<a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/67nBnXraC3qqd8ByiBNuUE?si=Ce-9m4loSAiuAkRUx02gzw" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://open.spotify.com/episode/67nBnXraC3qqd8ByiBNuUE?si%3DCe-9m4loSAiuAkRUx02gzw&source=gmail&ust=1706372611740000&usg=AOvVaw0PEY2edBpKxu3kmRiqFYiT">https://open.spotify.com/<wbr>episode/<wbr>67nBnXraC3qqd8ByiBNuUE?si=Ce-<wbr>9m4loSAiuAkRUx02gzw</wbr></wbr></wbr></a><br> </div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto"> </div><p>Listen on Apple Podcasts:</p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" dir="auto"><div><a class="no-pjax" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/rewilded-leader/id1709660993?i=1000641804968" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/rewilded-leader/id1709660993?i%3D1000641804968&source=gmail&ust=1706372611740000&usg=AOvVaw0MmG23oSq5zZNNxAcpRm31">https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/<wbr>podcast/rewilded-leader/<wbr>id1709660993?i=1000641804968</wbr></wbr></a></div></div><p>More good news. Unleash Your Goddess Voice is now back in stock on Amazon in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia! If you love convenience and have been holding out for that free shipping, now is your chance to snag a copy.</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Your-Goddess-Voice-Resilience/dp/B0CP4ZXQ4Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38CQLG02OKIUP&keywords=unleash+your+goddess+voice&qid=1706286440&sprefix=%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-1" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">Click here to Purchase the Print or ebook on Amazon</span></a></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73367362024-01-19T09:47:01-07:002024-01-19T09:47:01-07:00Self-love lessons are everywhere!<p>Last night, I was hanging out in the women’s bathroom at a high school.<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>(Wow, that sounds a little creepy. However, I had a good reason for being there, as I had just finished watching my ninth-grade son’s basketball game at the school.)<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>As I was washing my hands in the row of five sinks, two teenage girls came into the bathroom to check their appearance. The one closest to me said to her friend, “Uggh, why didn’t you tell me that I look bad?”<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Friends, I could not stand by and let this young woman use her powerful voice to criticize herself. I said, “Don’t talk about yourself that way. You’re gorgeous.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p>Her scowl softened as her eyes briefly met mine in the mirror. “Wow, that’s so sweet. I think I’m going to cry now. Oh no, it will mess up my makeup!” She carefully wiped under her eyes as I gave her a smile.<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>My nine-year-old daughter was listening on, and as we left the bathroom she told me that she wasn’t sure if it was good that I made the young woman cry. I told my dear, empathic daughter that I couldn’t let the teenager be mean to herself. Sometimes we have to cry the “good tears,” and feel the raw emotion that comes from being reminded that WE ARE WORTHY!<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>When I saw the young woman again later at the concession stand, she gave me a wide, genuine smile, and I took that as confirmation that the tears were worth it for her.<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>When we give ourselves a foundation of self-compassion, it becomes easier to feel these kinds of “good hurts” and “good tears” to break through to a life of more joy, fulfillment, and radiant self-expression. That’s why the first chapter of <i>Unleash Your Goddess Voice</i> focuses on building self-compassion, not just for how your voice sounds, but in all areas of your life. Here’s a quote from that chapter:<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/bdeb6ebb894ff504ccd939dad4691e1bb812d97d/original/self-compassion.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><strong>Give yourself the gift of self-compassion, empowerment, and unapologetic self-expression!</strong><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p><i>Unleash Your Goddess Voice</i> is out now.<o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>You can check out the print and ebook on Barnes & Noble online:<o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unleash-your-goddess-voice-sara-giita-flores/1144406132?ean=9798869007858&st=AFF&2sid=Draft2Digital_7968444_NA&sourceId=AFFDraft2Digital" data-link-type="url">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unleash-your-goddess-voice-sara-giita-flores/1144406132?ean=9798869007858&st=AFF&2sid=Draft2Digital_7968444_NA&sourceId=AFFDraft2Digital</a><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>Or purchase it at Powell's, a fantastic bookstore out of Portland:<o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.powells.com/book/-9798869007858" data-link-type="url">https://www.powells.com/book/-9798869007858</a><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p>You can find links to the kindle version and additional online retailers here:<o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://books2read.com/goddessvoice" data-link-type="url">https://books2read.com/goddessvoice</a><o:p></o:p></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73244752023-12-26T10:37:42-07:002024-01-02T19:19:18-07:00Allowing Personal and Collective Dreams to Evolve<p>How do you feel when you hear, “Follow your dreams!” Or, “Make this your best year yet”???</p><p>Do you feel excited?</p><p>Cynical?<o:p></o:p></p><p>Hopeful?<o:p></o:p></p><p>Motivated?<o:p></o:p></p><p>Filled with dread?<o:p></o:p></p><p>Confused as to what your dreams actually are?<o:p></o:p></p><p>Or maybe ALL OF THE ABOVE?</p><p>My journey of following (and not following) certain dreams has led me to see the <strong>nuances and paradoxes</strong> we all face when it comes to following our longings and passions to grow into our potential.<o:p></o:p></p><p>When I was beginning my final year of university as a vocal performance major at Lewis & Clark College, I remember meeting with my advisor and<strong> talking about what I might do after graduation</strong> (yikes! I didn’t know).<o:p></o:p></p><p>My advisor was a fantastic professor known for bringing music history to life through engaging storytelling and class discussions. At our one-on-one advisee meeting, as I talked in circles about not knowing what I would do with my life in nine months’ time, she took a dramatic pause.<o:p></o:p></p><p>“Sara,” she said with a twinkle in her eye, “do you have any dreams? I think you should follow your dreams.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>I furrowed my brow, taken aback by her question. I had seen many a motivational poster, but I could not recall any adult actually TELLING ME something impractical like, “follow your dreams.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>I was at a loss, groping around for a dream to share with her. Finally, I remembered one that had already faded somewhat for me.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/41e277a0642b80235b85143f03ca5c57dd69db77/original/broadway-marquee.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><o:p></o:p></p><p>“Well, when I got to go to New York City in high school, I was so in love with the Broadway shows I saw. I dreamed of performing on Broadway. But… I don’t have the dance training or skills to succeed. I know I can sing well enough, and I <i>think</i> I can act well enough, but I could barely keep up with the tap dance routines in my high school musicals.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>My advisor looked me in the eye and said, “You have to believe in yourself, Sara. You can learn to dance at that level. Go for it. You can do it.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>The conversation left me thinking for a long time. Was I a coward if I didn’t pursue that teenage dream? Did I really just need to believe in myself? Did I actually want to dedicate myself to building the dance skills needed?<o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big">Was it okay to let that dream die?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>As is often the case when being encouraged to “follow your dreams” I got lost in the currents of conflicting emotions.<o:p></o:p></p><p>As the months progressed, a different dream emerged: to travel, improve my Spanish skills, and do volunteer work in Latin America. I followed that inner pull, which led me to meet the man who has now been my husband for 16 years in Mexico, volunteer in Costa Rica, and start meditating regularly. The practice of meditation opened my creative floodgates as I began writing heartfelt songs about overcoming struggle.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/7cf35ed0cd21461019c15691112f7dabf5d40daa/original/looking-down.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><o:p></o:p></p><p>From following that one inner impulse to travel, new, aligns dreams of becoming a professional singer/songwriter emerged. Thanks to divine grace, I have now fulfilled a lot of those dreams.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/6a3a568491bbe91a8c4fa5fa58d135af2551b08e/original/music-dreams.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p><strong>The vulnerability and courage it took to put myself out there consistently</strong> also helped me excavate and fulfill another dream: to become an author. With the launch of my first book on January 12, I am making that inner calling come to fruition. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CP4ZXQ4Q?tag=books2read02-20" data-link-type="url">(Pre-order Unleash Your Goddess Voice here!)</a><o:p></o:p></p><p>Looking back on the confusion I experienced as a 21-year-old in that meeting with my advisor, I now feel peaceful about letting go of my dream of performing on Broadway.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big">I also see that the dream didn’t completely die; following my life’s journey allowed that spark of passion to grow and evolve</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p>I see the common thread in all of my dreams of wanting to express myself, create, and share with others. <strong>As my longings have matured,</strong> <strong>I have also found great fulfillment in helping others to find their voices and become respected thought-leaders who spread their message from the stage.</strong></p><hr><p><o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big">As my personal dreams have evolved, I have also taken a more nuanced view of what I envision, long for, and pray for in the future of the COLLECTIVE.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>I used to dream of world peace as a kind of fantasy where there would be no more struggle or problems to deal with in the world. </p><p>Yet my decades-long healing journey has taught me that struggle is not the enemy. A life without challenges is a life without growth. <strong>However, we can pour on the compassion, love, and lightness as we go through the necessary struggles personally and collectively.</strong><span><strong> </strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p>My dream of world peace has not been squelched but has matured. I still long for <strong>(and believe it’s possible)</strong> for us to create a world without wars, abuse, or senseless violence. But rather than envisioning a “happily ever after” scenario, I now envision a world where:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;">
<li>All people’s voices are treated with respect<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>We learn to listen deeply and hold space for people of differing viewpoints<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>We are encouraged to feel worthy and kind to ourselves as we go through struggles<o:p></o:p>
</li>
<li>We feel supported by community as we face the current global challenges</li>
<li>We create a sustainable world for all beings, ourselves included</li>
</ul><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/12c0af69fc425eb65a91b9c44556f6b7c9928ce3/original/world-peace-square.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>Photo by </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://unsplash.com/@micciamiccia?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash"><i>AM</i></a><i> on </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-blue-books-on-brown-wooden-table-Y3HjrYwWa98?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash"><i>Unsplash</i></a></p><p>I truly believe this vision is possible. Collectively WE CAN HEAL. Together, we can grow into our human potential of embodying love and wholeness.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big">Now I would love to hear from you. How does this land? What dreams of your own have matured and evolved in your life? Leave a comment or send me an email!</span></p><p> </p><p>P.S. If you want to support the impact, vision, and growth of this free content, <a class="no-pjax" href="/enroll" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Enroll">consider becoming a monthly supporter for $5 or $10 per month</a><o:p></o:p></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/73164502023-12-08T09:38:06-07:002023-12-08T09:38:07-07:00Save the Date: You're Invited to a Party!<p>Do you crave more community and deep connection with like-minded people? Do you want to further empower your voice?</p><p>My dear community memebers, I want to invite you to a fantastically fun online party where you can create connections, use your voice, and be seen and heard. In celebration of my upcoming book launch, I'm hosting a free <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/events/297142292/" data-link-type="url">Unleash Your Goddess Voice Book Party and Networking Event</a>.</p><p><span class="text-big">Save the date: Saturday, January 13th from 12:00-1:30 pm MST </span></p><p>(That's 8:00 pm CET for those in Europe, 2:00 pm East Coast, 1:00 pm Central Time, and 11:00 am Pacific)</p><p>I will lead everyone through a powerful meditative practice from the book, read a short passage and give an interesting discussion question for breakout rooms. If you haven't yet experienced the unique way I run breakout rooms, you are in for a treat of being deeply seen and heard.</p><p>Plus, we will have some exciting surprises . . . (These are a surprise to me too, as several friends are planning part of the party!)</p><p>Join the fun!</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/events/297142292/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/ad592e6e1e9382955b3ce80490351cc120607759/original/register-here-its-free.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p><p>This event is happening inside the Sassy and Soulful Women Entrepreneurs Meetup that I run, but all genders and professions are welcome!</p><p>I hope to see you in the new year, if not before!</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/72738972023-09-15T09:49:23-06:002023-12-08T09:33:04-07:00Permission to SING- No Matter How You Sound<p>Are you ready for the autumn equinox? Throughout the fall season I share inspiring snippets from my upcoming book, Unleash Your Goddess Voice (available January 5th!)</p><p>While much of the book focuses on how to free your speaking voice so you can spread your soulful wisdom, my love of singing is woven throughout the book as well. In this passage I get on my soapbox about <strong>why everyone has a right and need to sing!</strong> Enjoy.</p><hr><p>Do you ever judge the “quality” of your vocal sound? Oh, Sister, you are not alone. Almost every person who has walked into my studio has shared those doubts about their voice. </p><p>There is a strange modern phenomenon where we judge singers as good or bad. TV singing contests thrive on harsh judges who sneer at people’s “bad” voices. And when it comes to speaking and other vocal sounds, there’s definitely cultural pressure to stick with what is deemed acceptable and polite. As a result, we see a widespread orphaning from the Goddess Voice within. </p><p><span class="text-big">When singing is only for the super-talented and speaking is often judged and compartmentalized, we become disconnected from the innate joy of expressing our voices. </span></p><p>Beyond the question of whether you want to be a singer or professional speaker, this widespread labeling of voices as “good” or “bad” has a profound impact on our speaking voices and how we express ourselves.</p><p>Let’s dig into this notion of good singing for a moment. When I’m paying money to go to a concert, I do indeed like to hear a singer who has amazing pitch, rhythm, style, and expressiveness. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the world shouldn’t sing! </p><p><img src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/mq7FK80vXwlSUjKB-NFPfvtnFeXOYwOfHwlKVw1Zc6SrHrqZ0-vkRI3Iwn4acvPnLSGi2ttOmMIX3t90jrZW_I5JzkldFT_joRN6xvHYvPYbxTt-d8I0mHyyhV2wGWLKH6ZZYhT3Aw2Rt1O6WCEUSG0THbQngFxpYtrYquUC_4_JBSPqwXsPE9vTq3Ip-r8Cf136lbpZxxHbMPVa58FzqZYYT14GDL6AiITbnn7DQwktbnIjrpuwAek3kKA2t715o9t27AiSlDaD8W-KS2iBjg=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/288a9dca069312b3dd03ef2525328874441d4eac/original/soundtrap-gxh1dsxzons-unsplash.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /></p><p>While I’ve been helping students improve the quality of their vocal tone for sixteen years, the magic of this work is helping people love how they sound. Joy is the goal. So while I love the process of improving your singing, I’m also a big advocate of throwing off the judgments and using your voice for pleasure, connection, and liberation. You have a right to sing, no matter how you sound.</p><p>If you feel a sigh of relief that it’s totally fine to sing and even to make unconventional and surprising sounds, <strong>this represents a homecoming to our ancestral legacy.</strong> Anthropologists know that humans of every culture have been singing together for millennia. Some surmise that we began singing before we began speaking! </p><p>No matter the continent where your ancestors took root, they surely gathered together in song and ceremony. They lifted their voices to connect to the Divine. <strong>Singing was about connection, not perfection.</strong> I like to imagine there were probably some folks around the fire singing off-key, but their enthusiasm, expressiveness, and devotion were appreciated as a necessary part of the whole. </p><p><img src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/tl_Srx-BdzrKXIoBcg9m3zIFJSx2ef-Rvx2G6EZp9aGT7oOXYYrKembWjXHq6JOl93c8o-wACiyljdR8Gkmfj2rCL__91Iv5FjmNYEoJxNwI_QvoD92QN4DrzwNm1TgteccIImKd1zqOzwLFjAZ3GOp1NrLNKOcaAHrctJS-KzVSbOgM5xrLJUMQJsVA04swrd87b4o0qvxW-sK6xHBKSb-O1knIxuAwAyDIPwomiUOeovuJR1ixPtUxyYd-D_W66FE=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/bf8185e8f6f1218ea21e89a9908cbc872a905207/original/campfire-singing.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /></p><p>In the past few thousand years, the majority of people have become disconnected from tribal ceremonial life. Factors like migration into cities, religious wars, witch hunts, slavery, and colonial domination unraveled the threads of tribal structures as the fabric of our communities. <strong>Yet our ancestors kept singing!</strong> At the ashram, church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or ceremonial grounds, people gathered to sing. While harvesting crops, putting children to sleep, or gathering for a party, people sang.</p><p>Then, in 1877, Thomas Edison invented a machine to record sound (the phonograph). The popularization of recorded music would eventually play a huge role in changing how we relate to our voices. While we have gained so much richness and possibility from recorded music, we have allowed our innately human need for singing in community to fall by the wayside. In revering the megastars, we project onto them the joy of vocal sounding which has been neglected in our souls.</p><p><img src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/dhRqSQ6X5HLjG_ykGnby3im2AwKrKCap8WU2YlXtJiTMM0-Ik9wpjnvAOm5oU1Y77fRT9YgADyeAXC2KjdC_XE1yYJE0af7NUyywTQXCzJj1VrUYptl4mQza860JBPRCLxzue3E6y2w5b03xhZqcEOSNQemxyoNAXjbX5TdsqGYxON9pz3hZjB5Fqg6ObtG20CKZfdRLjjRD9atoLcI_NDiigmSZuTRIe5ow50d2KIuLr28OgBR9NCFtCRr6qg2X87pTK8c9LY-kCCu3QAdZM6qZ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/fa23fade27b1e136a86931f80ec6a4bde444b072/original/junior-reis-5mlbhpabp6q-unsplash.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /></p><p>Like many cultural shifts, we can sow the seeds of change in our own lives. If you are ready to reclaim your right and need to sing, the first step is to soften judgments about how you sound. <strong>Unless you want to sing on stage, it’s really not an obstacle to sing off-key, out of rhythm, or with an uncertain voice</strong>. </p><p>If you can speak, then you can harness the healing power of singing and sounding. <strong>You don’t have to be perfect to express something meaningful.</strong> </p><p><span class="text-big">Plus, singing has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. To me, that is proof that we are all born to be singers regardless of how we may sound.</span></p><p>Once you get comfortable with experimenting and embracing your voice on your own, you can seek out safe places to sing and sound with others (no microphones needed.) </p><p>After hearing my sermon on singing for connection, my friend Nancy began to sing to her young daughters before bed. She had never given much thought before to the notion that she shouldn’t sing unless she had a great voice. However, when she took the risk of singing anyway she found that she and her daughters experience great joy through her lullabies. </p><p><img src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/hMWZBsPFTx9CJMJQRYp6PJZ3et0zqQReRhR0E2L4paS9Uw3AUidFPb4U89Meikt1CtX3_NAjUy7gt92pNQdtKMx5rb2KzJusjeaHkLAXoSQFc8kP8EihoSxf1zHvE8zu4CO79V9pIDQC6S4hkMbAfvRX1B8WVcQJmCqsmvMrylsG2SL0V6WXVSQ1otq55FvAgndZMA_oGvpjomyKVRIteX99Eyu0NKvc1MCG8wQ5O3gAv-DbB0XXtoGElDAaFclvCL7AExgoC29lU_fhKMa5WnPuL94g=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/8920232ea0036c2881cacf919359187fcdc7a0eb/original/jonathan-borba-vcjhp-uhk2w-unsplash.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /></p><p>She describes an experience with her teenage daughter, kindergartener, and preschooler all singing together: “The four of us sang before bed while laying down,<span> </span>just Twinkle Twinkle since we all know it and it’s short. It was one of the most beautiful feelings I’ve ever felt in my life. All of us together, two sweet little voices and my teen’s now deeper womanly voice along with my own.” Not only did she get to experience this heart-opening moment, she showed her daughters the power of enjoying your voice without judgment.</p><p>If you feel the pull to let your singing voice free, try putting on a song you love and blast it on some decent speakers. Then let yourself sing along!<strong> If you notice judgements arising, remind yourself that this is about having fun, not about “sounding good.”</strong></p><p>Let me know how it goes for you in the comments!</p><p>P.S. If you are a sassy and soulful woman entrepreneur or writer, I invite you to<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.meetup.com/sassy-soulful-women-entrepreneurs-denver/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://u648841.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn%3D7Aovjdb3SfMBRtrBOegnIa2WWzb7nE8f8B8DiJZ1gajLIc7FyfUOvcb8HS8-2FBFUc1UTNhQc7zHtCDDOQRnLwS0YW0iuCl4MWJJmjHaRojqqpT5I5iofIvk0UhAPv7-2F2do59U3-2F1Xsct2IwJs-2FvbNcAHT4NYl7YB60VWPkIXq3kTuBjLqP1ifP-2Bzo2V6T0vnAWfFF8T3BOPTcybF504-2FDPE5i6UZP6Zphi-2FBYE5xCQr4-3D0_U1_-2Bf8XJXnNynEAalb64pw8qBv5rB-2F-2FQ6oXpfSwg2dWmewZP4zqZMnNvKPSYGb-2BSBf84JrY3CL-2Fnmu30nPCETGVooyOFsJ63jwFkCuQbsHNUzPAFW6E-2B8aeC3nEo0FYcGkHdosPGdfz7og5KWXPM5-2FnRcDgO3VAmY5aSRk1r3JxlDzzzMNq2Wgf-2B21zWrgjI2Kn-2FdanBZRj75debfrwRnJY9Lo-2BOcgY6OmJqBYfDbSUiRNuT8xs644pvQgOx-2FIGPQhi-2F-2BsnTmkf3nz5D4OZXrcl7WWKuEBoSS3N-2B9aXkjiuE1Cz3HItrrSHJG1I4ReS1EtZYcCRZaANhdpmS9vSiHntnoFombeJd2SC2b7pR3ha3vU-3D&source=gmail&ust=1694878927235000&usg=AOvVaw3G0deHePqBMUgJaAZrrb50"><u> join my free networking group on Meetup</u></a><a class="no-pjax" href="https://u648841.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=7Aovjdb3SfMBRtrBOegnIa2WWzb7nE8f8B8DiJZ1gajLIc7FyfUOvcb8HS8-2FBFUc1UTNhQc7zHtCDDOQRnLwS0YW0iuCl4MWJJmjHaRojqqpT5I5iofIvk0UhAPv7-2F2do59U3-2F1Xsct2IwJs-2FvbNcAHT4NYl7YB60VWPkIXq3kTuBjLqP1ifP-2Bzo2V6T0vnAWfFF8T3BOPTcybF504-2FDPE5i6UZP6Zphi-2FBYE5xCQr4-3D0_U1_-2Bf8XJXnNynEAalb64pw8qBv5rB-2F-2FQ6oXpfSwg2dWmewZP4zqZMnNvKPSYGb-2BSBf84JrY3CL-2Fnmu30nPCETGVooyOFsJ63jwFkCuQbsHNUzPAFW6E-2B8aeC3nEo0FYcGkHdosPGdfz7og5KWXPM5-2FnRcDgO3VAmY5aSRk1r3JxlDzzzMNq2Wgf-2B21zWrgjI2Kn-2FdanBZRj75debfrwRnJY9Lo-2BOcgY6OmJqBYfDbSUiRNuT8xs644pvQgOx-2FIGPQhi-2F-2BsnTmkf3nz5D4OZXrcl7WWKuEBoSS3N-2B9aXkjiuE1Cz3HItrrSHJG1I4ReS1EtZYcCRZaANhdpmS9vSiHntnoFombeJd2SC2b7pR3ha3vU-3D" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://u648841.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn%3D7Aovjdb3SfMBRtrBOegnIa2WWzb7nE8f8B8DiJZ1gajLIc7FyfUOvcb8HS8-2FBFUc1UTNhQc7zHtCDDOQRnLwS0YW0iuCl4MWJJmjHaRojqqpT5I5iofIvk0UhAPv7-2F2do59U3-2F1Xsct2IwJs-2FvbNcAHT4NYl7YB60VWPkIXq3kTuBjLqP1ifP-2Bzo2V6T0vnAWfFF8T3BOPTcybF504-2FDPE5i6UZP6Zphi-2FBYE5xCQr4-3D0_U1_-2Bf8XJXnNynEAalb64pw8qBv5rB-2F-2FQ6oXpfSwg2dWmewZP4zqZMnNvKPSYGb-2BSBf84JrY3CL-2Fnmu30nPCETGVooyOFsJ63jwFkCuQbsHNUzPAFW6E-2B8aeC3nEo0FYcGkHdosPGdfz7og5KWXPM5-2FnRcDgO3VAmY5aSRk1r3JxlDzzzMNq2Wgf-2B21zWrgjI2Kn-2FdanBZRj75debfrwRnJY9Lo-2BOcgY6OmJqBYfDbSUiRNuT8xs644pvQgOx-2FIGPQhi-2F-2BsnTmkf3nz5D4OZXrcl7WWKuEBoSS3N-2B9aXkjiuE1Cz3HItrrSHJG1I4ReS1EtZYcCRZaANhdpmS9vSiHntnoFombeJd2SC2b7pR3ha3vU-3D&source=gmail&ust=1694878927235000&usg=AOvVaw3G0deHePqBMUgJaAZrrb50"><u> </u></a>where we are building powerful connections. </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/72464072023-07-24T08:46:02-06:002023-07-24T08:46:03-06:00A quick reminder of your worth!<p>Sometimes we are sailing with ease, speaking up, singing out, playing big, and creating with abandon.</p><p>And sometimes life throws us curveballs, and it's harder to shine.</p><p>No matter where you are at, I am always here to remind you of your worth. Your voice is in intrinsic part of the whole. We all benefit when you make your wisdom heard.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/7c8453c2f9e338dda3c838c5e4534df50669292a/original/your-voice-matters.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p><span class="text-big">I'd love to hear from you: how do you feel about your voice? Is it surprising? Scary? Fun? Powerful? Timid? All of the above? Leave a comment to make yourself heard!</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/72281492023-06-17T09:10:41-06:002023-06-17T09:10:42-06:00An Extra Helping of Creativity, Please!<p><span style="color:black;">Creativity helped me restore my voice. Even when my insides were screaming in the aftermath of sexual trauma, creative expression has always been a lifeline. Growing up, playing piano was my safe outlet for creative expression. Then I turned to singing and acting as a teen. Through the shell of a character, I could hear my own voice. <strong>I was loud. I was confident.</strong> Pretending to be someone else, I spoke up, and people listened.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="color:black;">Could I feel that same confidence when being myself? For years I didn’t dare to try. But when a daily meditation practice helped me release some of my self-judgement, songwriting started flowing for me. I discovered how to truly express myself as an act of healing. I discovered how writing a song could bring meaning and hope through my struggles as I channeled my emotions onto the page.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>When I was going through trauma resolution therapy in the 2010s, I sometimes forgot to reach for the notebook. I forgot how cathartic it felt to create something out of my pain. Some evenings I felt too paralyzed by symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): anxiety, shortness of breath, and being on high alert for any threat. Other nights, I simply felt exhausted. I would sit down on the couch to read with my son and find it difficult to get up again.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>On some nights, nothing seemed to ease my misery, until a song lyric would float into my head. I was anxious because I was not doing what I most needed to do: create music. So I would feverishly write down lyrics and experiment with melodies.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>I learned the art of writing a song just for myself, without worrying if it was good or not. </span></p><p><span>I wrote for the process, for the catharsis. </span></p><p><span>I wrote to cheer myself on through depression, through fear, through being stuck in a victim mentality. </span></p><p><span>I wrote to have a way to channel the energy that was trapped inside of me. </span></p><p><span><strong>I learned to transform my pain into art.</strong></span></p><p><span><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/d73c413b28db0d449ee6ae7799c3e8ff24f712ca/original/da4d15-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>Image created with Dall-E2 image generator</i></p><p><span>The years since have brought much healing, and I’m thankfully in a place of thriving now. Yet, I still remember the intensity of my emotions and anxieties, and feeling like writing a song was the only way to survive that moment. This showed me that <strong>dedicating time to creativity is not “fluff.”</strong> Creativity is vital. It is mental health care. </span></p><p><span>Creative expression shines a light through the pain and uncertainty of modern life.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Like me, you may have experienced the intense ups and downs that life can bring, especially if you are an empath who deeply feels your emotions and the emotions of others. You may also have seen the power of creative expression as a way to heal and restore your true self. </span></p><p><i><span>Why, then, do we still undervalue the role of creativity in our lives?</span></i><span> </span></p><p><span>It’s so easy to get lost in our jobs, our families, our chores, and our partnerships, without carving out time for our vital creative expression.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text-big"><span>When we create time and space to unleash our worthy voices, everything and everyone around us receives a boost. When we are fulfilled through creativity, we can show up with more energy to fill all those responsibilities and inspire others in the process.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Now that the carefree energy of summer is upon us, how do you wish to honor creativity in your life? Do you want to spend time nurturing your garden? Do you want to try fingerpainting with a child in your life? Do you want to write? Sing? Play? Dance?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong>Leave a comment and let me know what kind of creative expression calls to you right now!</strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/72099352023-05-16T09:45:45-06:002023-05-16T09:47:12-06:00Quick Tip for Garnering Respect When You Speak<p>I wanted to share with you a quick tip for speaking with even more confidence in your everyday life: <i>practice</i>.</p><p>Really? Practice?</p><p>Yep.</p><p>If we’re going to give a speech, it seems natural to spend some time practicing and refining what we want to say and how we’re going to say it.</p><p>In the same way, if you want to start ...</p><ul>
<li>Setting better boundaries</li>
<li>Speaking up for yourself</li>
<li>Sharing your message more boldly</li>
<li>Promoting your work</li>
</ul><p>... then start by speaking out loud in front of the mirror. <strong>Try on a confident posture and tone of voice as you speak</strong>. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/cd78cbf8294a4f79f3409414644627dfd07838cb/original/looking-in-mirror.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Then practice speaking with a trusted friend, therapist, or coach. Rather than making your everyday speech stilted, practice will help you build new habits of speaking with confidence. </p><p>And as you speak more confidently, other people are more likely to respond with respect.</p><hr><h4>If you want compassionate support to step into your vocal power, check out the ways I can help you right now: <br> </h4><h4>
<a class="no-pjax" href="https://saragiita.com/singing-lessons" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Singing Lessons" contents="singing lessons" data-cke-saved-href="https://saragiita.com/singing-lessons">Singing Lessons</a> <br> </h4><h4>and <br> </h4><h4><a class="no-pjax" href="https://saragiita.com/voice-and-visibility-coaching" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Voice and Visibility Coaching" contents="Voice and Visibility Coaching" data-cke-saved-href="https://saragiita.com/voice-and-visibility-coaching">Voice and Visibility Coaching</a></h4><h3> </h3><p><br> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/71925042023-04-18T11:51:30-06:002023-04-18T11:52:04-06:00Finding and Using Your Voice<p>How can you find your voice and put yourself out there with confidence?</p><p>I recently had a deep conversation with Kirsti McNabney that pushed me to the edges of places I haven't even pondered before. She has an uncanny gift for asking the most thought-provoking questions on her show, Thinking About Podcast.</p><p>Tune in to find out:</p><ul>
<li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">How to loosen habits of people pleasing</span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">Repressed silence and repressed self-expression vs. empowered silence and empowered self-expression </span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">Living in your body vs your mind</span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">How we come to moments of awakening</span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">Setting boundaries</span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">Promoting yourself, and more.</span></li>
</ul><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">Listen on your browser:</span></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1945594/12623639-finding-and-using-your-voice-with-sara-giita-flores">Finding And Using Your Voice With Sara Giita Flores (buzzsprout.com)</a></p><p>Listen on Spotify:</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ANT0NSJBFKjJHhCF4Qjpc">Finding And Using Your Voice With Sara Giita Flores - Thinking About Podcast | Podcast on Spotify</a></p><p>Listen on Apple Podcasts:</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-and-using-your-voice-with-sara-giita-flores/id1613415077?i=1000608302113">Thinking About Podcast: Finding And Using Your Voice With Sara Giita Flores on Apple Podcasts</a></p><hr><p><span class="text-big">Want to empower your voice so you can show up confidently? Find out more about how to work with me </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/work-with-me" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Work With Me"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big">.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/71839652023-04-04T12:04:58-06:002023-04-05T09:47:13-06:00What are Energetic Boundaries? <p><span>If you want to feel safe speaking up and sharing your voice in the world, it’s super helpful to get to know your energetic boundaries. </span></p><p><span>What are energetic boundaries, you may ask? If you imagine your life-force energy as a bubble all around you, creating boundaries is the ability to open your energy field to what you want to allow in and close it off to what you want to keep out. </span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/0a50c589b451cb36dbc2e2f9ac36c1afca404ebd/original/hand-out.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>Yet the very idea of boundaries to our life-force energy is paradoxical territory: <strong>we are simultaneously sovereign individuals </strong></span><i><span><strong>and</strong></span></i><span><strong> drops of water in the ocean of oneness.</strong> Sometimes setting boundaries can feel like you are cutting yourself off from others. </span></p><p><span>Here’s how I see this. Learning how to have an experience of consistent, thriving energy in your body is like learning how to swim. It’s really not ideal to learn how to swim in a part of the ocean with huge waves, yet that is what the experience of oneness can feel like. </span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/97c3addf49e10754dfa31d43ec40dd2589808dbf/original/ocean-waves.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span>It’s a lot easier to learn to swim in a contained, calm space like a pool. There you can develop trust and tools as you go through the stages of learning to float, kick, and coordinate your breathing. </span></p><h3><span>The boundaries of the pool walls will give you something to hold onto when you need to rest. Likewise, with the tools of energetic boundaries you can learn to navigate your energy without needing to worry about drowning.</span></h3><p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/016745c64477a0061bcc6ee5094993297c793a28/original/swimming-lesson.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>Having watched both my kids go through group swim lessons, I have observed that every once in a while there is a kid who seems to be natural fish and learns to swim with barely any effort. I also believe this happens sometimes with the skill of navigating boundaries and life force energy. One of my past therapists, Janet, is like that. When I asked her how she manages the challenge of dealing with people’s intense traumas day after day, she responded by saying, “I’m not sure how or why it happens, but taking on other people’s emotions has never been something I’m prone to. I’m able to empathize in the appointment, and then leave it in the office and enjoy my time at home.”</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>Holy moly, talk about being in her power without absorbing other people’s difficult emotions or energies. My own experience has pretty much been the exact opposite, as I have historically had an open door policy, saying, “Yes, I will be the comfortable resting place for you to drop all your shit. I will take it ALL on.” Thank goodness I learned some tools to set energetic boundaries, allowing me to clear out the noise and hear my own authentic voice.</span></p><p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/9fc2366caaa858a331bd32473d5657b32f70a582/original/sponge.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>While everyone has the capacity to sense their life force energy, this work is especially important for people like me who are sensitive and/or empathic. <strong>Do you relate to being an empath or highly sensitive person?</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span> If so, we often learned by example to become energetic sponges, soaking up other people’s feelings and projections. By learning how to set boundaries with our voice, posture, and energy, we can gradually come more deeply into our power. We can choose what to allow in.</span></p><p> </p><hr><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>To get in tune with the energy of setting boundaries, I will walk you through a practice I facilitate with my clients. First, you get to use your imagination to create an energetic door that you can easily open and close. You can visualize this door in front of you with a doorknob and a latch, and any other details that help it come alive. You are fully in charge of when this door will open to let something in, and when it is closed to keep something out. </span></p><p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/9362ce072d0a3f2672372178d2a4d465fd6f7a7c/original/door-with-flowers.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>Then you can<strong> imagine something mild that would feel like a “no” in your body</strong>- perhaps a food that you dislike, or a type of social situation that doesn’t feed and fill you, or a request for help that would be too draining for you to fulfill. Once you have pulled it up in your mind, imagine closing the energetic door. <strong>Then you get to practice saying “no” outloud lots and lots of times</strong>, experimenting with different volumes and vocal inflections. </span></p><p><span>It’s also great to let your body get in the game, practicing what a stance of a fully embodied “no” feels like. </span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span>When the time feels right, you get to switch into the practice of saying “yes.” Start by imagining an invitation to do something that sounds and feels fully enjoyable. It may be really small, such as a friend offering to loan you a novel they loved. <strong>Practice opening the door of your energy field to let in that deliciousness as you repeat the word, “yes!</strong>” </span></p><p><span>Setting these boundaries is super fun to try with a trusted friend or small group. But if speaking up and setting boundaries brings up difficult emotions, I am here to support you with voice coaching- feel free to reach out anytime via the </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/contact" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Contact"><span>contact page to set up a free chat.</span></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><h3><span>Now I would love to hear from you: when was a time you set a boundary or spoke up for yourself in a way that felt empowering? Leave a comment below, it's super easy and does not require setting up an account!</span></h3><p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/71520202023-02-10T13:37:59-07:002023-02-13T10:21:27-07:00What the Iguana Taught Me About Criticism<p>I used to be terrified of criticism and rejection. Like SUPER terrified. </p><p>And while the fear still comes up sometimes to be healed more deeply, I have incrementally built the confidence to speak up and be heard when criticism and rejection is a possibility.</p><p>I want to share a funny story that helped me see that feeling safe to share your voice is NOT about living in a world where the "bad things" like criticism and rejection are eliminated. It’s not about being in control all of the time. It’s about something deeper…</p><hr><p>When I was volunteering in Costa Rica at age 22, I bumped up against the question: what is safety? Does it mean living a sheltered, comfortable life without unexpected situations? <strong>I could count on predictable days inside the little papaya-colored house I shared with another American volunteer, Gina.</strong> I would take the bus to the preschool where I volunteered each morning, come home for a nap, work on the computer, and talk on Skype with my boyfriend Paco (who is now my husband) in the evenings. On Saturdays, we always walked to the local farmers market to buy fresh cheese and exotic fruits and vegetables. Life was pleasant. But I was born with a desire to explore.</p><p> So safety could not just be about predictability for me. </p><p>As Gina and I ventured outside of the city for long weekends, I had to navigate unexpected situations. </p><p>One afternoon we found ourselves in the wildlife-packed Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast. After a long hike, I cooled off in the ocean and then sat down to enjoy my lunch on a small patch of sandy beach. We had packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the day (we had to make the peanut butter ourselves in a blender back in our little house). There were a few other people on this small section of beach, rimmed by tall rocks on one side and majestic rainforest trees on the other.</p><p>The beach was also inhabited by a black iguana, who eyed me curiously as I sat down on my blue sarong. I unwrapped my sandwich. The iguana inched closer, about a meter away from my wet legs. I wondered if I should move. <strong>No need to be scared, I told myself. I am one with the Universe, I can trust I will be safe.</strong> We sat there for three minutes, the iguana and I, gazing into each other’s eyes.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/e525d59f8c13f39253dadd041bf5a17b01ec1f60/original/iguana-square.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>*Not the actual iguana that stole my sandwich*</i></p><p>Then it lurched forward, scratching its way over my legs, and snatched my sandwich into its mouth.<strong> I was left stunned and bleeding,</strong> watching it escape into the nearby foliage. </p><p>Through my tears, Gina and a kind family helped me rinse the wounds in the ocean water. They would heal soon enough. But how would I recover from this breach of my trust, I cried to Gina.</p><p><span class="text-big">“I was actively working on feeling safe and cared for by the Universe, and then my lunch got stolen by an iguana! What does this mean?”</span></p><p>“It means that iguanas are wild animals and they like food, Sara. Don’t read into it too much,” she advised. “You don’t have to take everything so seriously.”</p><p>Despite her advice to forget the incident, I still find deeper significance in the event. Except the message I see now is not what I used to fear: that I am alone and unsafe. The message I take away is that feeling safe does not mean painful or difficult events will never happen again. </p><p><span class="text-big">Feeling safe means knowing we will be able to recover, no matter what. We fall down, but we have the resilience, confidence and tools to rise again. </span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/6d1ec3fe2f499981ff8b9cc028f1c865f1c54667/original/ocean.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><hr><p>When I speak with women about the process of bringing their voice into the world<strong> they rarely point to feeling unsafe as something that is holding them back</strong>. They will point to things like being busy, feeling drained, or not feeling like it’s that important for them to share their voice. </p><p>They might have built up a story about not being the type of person who can speak up and be seen more boldly (which is an easy assumption to make if you’re an introvert, but it’s rarely true.) Or they may feel that no one else cares about what they create or what they have to say.</p><p>Yet for those who courageously say yes to working with me and empowering their voice from the inside out, they often uncover the need to feel safe when speaking up.</p><p><span class="text-big">We all experience this story of fear to a lesser or greater extent. In addition to the outside pressures like patriarchy, our insecurities often can be traced back to that one time when we did put ourselves out there, and it was painful. </span></p><p>In the aftermath, we learned to brush it off. It was so long ago, after all. And it was just people laughing at me, after all. It was just criticism, after all. Sticks and stones may break my bones ...</p><p><span class="text-big">But every time we feel the urge to set a boundary with another person, </span></p><p><span class="text-big">every time we think of writing a blog post and asking someone to share it, </span></p><p><span class="text-big">every time we consider going to a networking event</span></p><p><span class="text-big">or every time we think about public speaking to promote our work or project, the fear and unsafety seep in as a knot in the belly or tightness in the throat.</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Quite often, you’re probably able to push through that tension and put yourself out there anyway. You are a warrior goddess, after all. </span></p><p><span class="text-big">Yet think how much more flow and ease you will feel once you heal the feelings of fear around speaking up and being heard. Think about the ripple effects that will come from <strong>building up your inner resilience and strength to release your roar.</strong></span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/282490/7e0bd99ae958f1658a54fe653213e3125884f8cc/original/triumph.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big">I know you are a deeply-feeling, open-hearted human. Your voice, your message, your business or your creative offerings are what the world needs right now. </span></p><p><span class="text-big">When you show up as the fullest version of yourself who is not afraid to <strong>take up space and be heard,</strong> your presence can heal the world in right-sized, right-timed ways.</span></p><p><span class="text-big">If you are feeling the courageous call to amplify your voice, visit the </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/voice-and-visibility-coaching" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Voice and Visibility Coaching"><span class="text-big">Voice and Visibility Coaching</span></a><span class="text-big"> page and scroll down to schedule a free call with me. If you are interested in Spiritual Singing Lessons rather than coaching, </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/singing-lessons" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Singing Lessons"><span class="text-big">click here</span></a><span class="text-big">.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/71432862023-01-25T10:53:38-07:002023-01-25T10:53:38-07:00You Deserve to Be Heard<p><span class="font_large">Can you remember a time in childhood when you spoke your mind without hesitation? When you expressed yourself with joy and ease? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When you knew you deserved to be listened to? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You instinctively knew how to express yourself authentically. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/0b24e93d5070fe715cfb1ebdf21d214d1d953a4b/original/girl-with-paint.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Yet somewhere along the way you internalized the message that staying small was safer. </p>
<p>The harshness of the outside world made your voice go unnoticed. </p>
<p>Perhaps you began to feel like it was selfish to express yourself fully or focus on what lights you up inside. </p>
<p>Your dreams became less important than other people. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/c99c9f47aaeb4b4d27a563eb41be41bf41926a57/original/blue-door.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>The process by which you learned to play small with your voice may have been subtle and hard to pinpoint. Or you may have clear memories of experiencing dismissal, disrespect, discrimination or trauma that caused you to stay pleasing and palatable. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">No matter what you have experienced, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">your innate power and confidence still lives within. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Your ability to shine in pure, joyful self-expression is waiting to emerge like a seed in the ground. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/c9dbdedf90b76e5d5925090886fed849e9747800/original/sprout.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Voice and Visibility coaching provides a safe container for this glorious seed of your voice to receive the nourishment it needs to sprout and grow into a deeply rooted tree, so you can speak up and promote your work or creative project with ease. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you are curious about how greater power and presence can emerge through your voice, find out more about working one-on-one with me <a contents="here" data-link-label="Voice and Visibility Coaching" data-link-type="page" href="/voice-and-visibility-coaching">here</a>.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Tags: voice coaching, visibility coaching, singing lessons, healing your voice, healing after trauma, women speaking up</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/71205782022-12-09T10:15:32-07:002022-12-09T10:16:49-07:00How to Heal Your Voice after Trauma<p>Building confidence in your voice is not a black-and-white, step-by-step process. I see the tremendous courage in my clients who are willing to heal on deep levels so they can open their channel of self-expression and share their voice and message with bigger audiences. </p>
<p>And at the same time, it's not about getting to a place where you are 100% healed so that someday in the future you will feel empowered to speak up. We get to be our messy, authentic selves who are in the process of cyclical healing. </p>
<p>In this recent podcast episode on The Wellness Project with Des, I dive into my story of healing my voice after trauma, and how I came to the realization that I would never feel 100% healed or ready to be seen and heard, but that part of my purpose was to move forward anyway. </p>
<p>Listen on her website: </p>
<p><a contents="107. Ways to Reclaim Your Voice After Trauma - AccordingtoDes&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://accordingtodes.com/107-2/">107. Ways to Reclaim Your Voice After Trauma - AccordingtoDes </a></p>
<p>Or find links on your favorite platform: </p>
<p><a contents="107. Reclaiming Your Voice After Trauma by The Wellness Project with Des (anchor.fm)&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://anchor.fm/thewellnessprojectwithdes/episodes/107--Reclaiming-Your-Voice-After-Trauma-e1q64rm">107. Reclaiming Your Voice After Trauma by The Wellness Project with Des (anchor.fm) </a></p>
<p>Let me know what parts of your journey are illuminated by the stories I share! </p>
<p>With love, </p>
<p>Sara Giita Flores</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/583fdad9625c619b101d9d6787106fbd819f0ea4/original/img-1326.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/71027042022-11-15T10:11:40-07:002022-12-07T08:37:14-07:00From Playing Small to Shining Big<p><span class="font_large">How do you bring your voice into the world? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">How you share your wisdom and message in a way that impacts people’s lives, even when it seems like no one is listening? </span></p>
<p>Much of the work of confidently sharing your voice is about unlearning old habits. These may be physical habits of how you speak and produce sound. These may be habits in how you communicate, with some part of you subconsciously expecting to hear “no, sorry, I’m not interested” or to be ignored entirely. </p>
<p>For me, one of the big habits that keeps me playing small is perfectionism. </p>
<p>When I was 23, I told one of my best friends who knew me as a super high-achiever all throughout our school years, “I’m completely over my perfectionism now that I’ve started meditating. It helped me loosen up.” </p>
<p>She raised her eyebrows at me with obvious skepticism. </p>
<p>I was a little miffed, because I really wanted to believe I was over it. But releasing the need to be perfect has been a cyclical lesson that has come back many times in my life. </p>
<p>Now that I’m in the final miles of writing my book, perfectionism is hitting <em>hard. </em></p>
<p>And it finally dawned on me that perfectionism is a habit of playing small. When I wait until my book or my songs or my speeches are perfect, that gets me off the hook from actually sharing what I create. It allows me to stay in the cozy, familiar zone of creative flow, without the risks and courage it takes to shine big and be seen. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/6408e5b989f4b254024d9bf3d8221edba087766d/original/perfectionism.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>So here I am, back in the cyclical process of unlearning. I see that finishing and publishing my book will be a big leap of faith, because it is never ever going to be perfect. </p>
<p>It’s going to be something even better: honest and real. </p>
<hr><p><span class="font_large">Even if you don’t feel ready to share your voice message on a bigger scale, I invite you to consider that you already have everything you need within. You already have the courage and the confidence that is waiting to emerge when you unlearn the habits of playing small. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I would love to hear from you: where do you catch yourself playing small in your life?</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/70959262022-11-04T17:58:15-06:002022-11-04T17:59:38-06:00Dragons, Unicorns, and Power Anthems!<p>What do dragons, unicorns, Personalized Power Anthems and invaluable tips for business owners all have in common? </p>
<p>You can experience them all for free in the Your Business Adventure Festival! </p>
<p>I am contributing a Personalized Power Anthem to the thousands of dollars' worth of giveaways with this online event. </p>
<p>Now if a "Personalized Power Anthem" sounds intriguing or really confusing, let me tell you a little bit about these special songs. </p>
<p>I have been writing customized songs for years. But earlier this year, the Power Anthems were born spontaneously on a call with my writer's group. I improvised a song which I later recorded for my friend and client Maria to tap into her innate strength and confidence. </p>
<p>Here's what she shares about the experience: </p>
<p>“Before receiving my custom power anthem from Vocal Empowerment Coach Sara Giita Flores, most people would call me confident, yet inside I had lots of doubts. During the process of the power anthem creation, I felt really special and important, in a way I had never experienced in my life before. I was treated like royalty, sitting on a velvet throne with a kind spotlight on just me. The anthem brings to light deep powers within me and models how I can step into my full potential. Now I feel empowered as the spirit of the custom power anthem Sara created for me is manifesting in beautiful ways in my life and business, with stronger confidence and power. ” - Maria Blon, intuitive mentor and author </p>
<p>What's amazing is that you can enter to win your own Personalized Power anthem for free at the<a contents="Your Business Adventure Festival" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="ttps://www.yourbusinessadventure.com/f/summitSF?affiliate=lJI5eL"> Your Business Adventure Festival </a>which is chock full of videos, networking events, and playful boosts to help you live your best life. </p>
<p>Hope to see you there!</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/70493232022-08-30T11:06:19-06:002022-11-04T17:59:38-06:00The World Needs Your Tender, Imperfect Voice!<p>Back when I first started writing songs 16 years ago, I was very concerned with what people thought of my talents. Without realizing it, anytime I shared a song I would be subconsciously scanning the faces in room for evidence that my voice made an impact. That it mattered. </p>
<p><em>Because if someone else thought my song was worthwhile, maybe I would feel worthy. </em></p>
<p>Clearly, I was living the “tortured” part of the tortured artist stereotype. </p>
<p>It’s been a long journey of healing my self-worth so that I could share my voice with more confidence and authenticity. And one of the most powerful tools I discovered for unleashing my radiant self-expression is … </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Inner Child Healing!!! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yay! </span></p>
<p>That’s why working with the tender, young parts of ourselves is one of the pillars of the work I facilitate to help people deepen their confidence in their voices. </p>
<p>I got to share this magical healing wisdom on a recent podcast episode with Mary Alvizures. </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://shareyourmagic.co/podcast"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/107fdb50db6d322ce03bccbf7dfac6a52c42aa68/original/podcast-feed-guest-image-sara-giita-flores.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>I experienced so much laughter and an overflow of love coming through my voice during the interview. </p>
<p>Plus listeners will get to witness the amazing uplifting synergy between Mary and I! </p>
<p>I invite you to tune in to find out . . . </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/f45a32363c911421d26095563916ef33eca8c8fa/original/podcast-stories-talking-about-sara-giita-flores.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiant-self-expression-with-sara-giita-flores/id1523600970?i=1000577338246 </p>
<p>Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YcCzww5fD4Q7aZQuUCmYV?si=ZD6iuj32QbW96zfkjDrLAA </p>
<p>If you feel called to listen, I would love to hear how it resonated with you! </p>
<p>Tags: Voice Lessons, Vocal Empowerment Coaching, Singer/Songwriter, Inner Child Healing, Confidence in Your Voice</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/69358372022-03-30T09:27:21-06:002022-08-30T11:09:12-06:00The Magic of Being Seen and Supported<p>I wanted to share with you all an inspiring experience that I had recently with a voice and piano student. </p>
<p>In our 3+ years of piano lessons and voice lessons together, this lovely woman felt inspired to begin songwriting and has written and performed three amazing original songs. </p>
<p>But recently she hit a point of feeling like her creative juices were not flowing. No song ideas were not percolating. </p>
<p>Within the span of a five-minute conversation together, this student shifted into a state of open possibility. And, what do you know, a song idea landed in her being. </p>
<p><strong>We ended the call with her furiously scribbling lyrics in her much-loved notebook. </strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/98e0f2c1ec251a4af1eabf8790ada5edb18d87c2/original/notebook-filled.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Supporting others and holding the vision of their highest creative potential is second nature for me. It is why I’ve been able to sustain a teaching career for 15 years even while doing trauma resolution work and raising two energetic children. </p>
<p><strong>My heart lights up when I am holding space for women and people of all genders as they reclaim their deepest expressive power. </strong></p>
<p>Magic happens in partnership and collaboration, my loves! </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Dreams you didn’t even realize were lurking below the surface can be breathed into being when you feel seen, heard, supported, and loved. </span></p>
<p>My wish for you is to feel that empowerment and support for your creative voice. If you trusted your body and your voice, what song would you bring forth into the world? </p>
<p>I would love to hear what you are dreaming about creating. Leave me a comment to share your dreams!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tags: Songwriting, Voice Lessons, Piano Lessons, Creativity, Self-Expression, Following Your Dreams</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/69060182022-02-24T09:59:51-07:002022-08-30T11:10:25-06:00Getting Wild and Wacky With my Sounds- Publicly!<p>I am out-of-this-world excited to share some news with you . . . </p>
<p>My longtime practice called Playing with Instinctual Sound (full of weird and wacky sound play) is now available to the world via a recent interview with podcast host Amanda Testa. </p>
<p>Tune in to episode 201 of her Find Your Feminine Fire Podcast to hear us chatting about how to align your self-expression so you can unlock your worth, wholeness, and creativity. </p>
<p>Listen in here to discover: </p>
<ul> <li>How you can reclaim the worth of your voice and being, free from expectations, comparison or hierarchical thinking. </li> <li>How playfully exploring your voice and wild expression can open you up to greater creativity and sensuality. </li> <li>How silence and shame are connected. </li> <li>Understanding “dual Awareness” and how this tool can help us connect to our value and worth, despite any negative internal voices. </li> <li>The connection between singing and self-worth. </li> <li>Letting yourself “Scribble” when it comes to learning new things, like singing. </li> <li>How voice work helps you inhabit your body more fully. </li> <li>The power of sounding in expressing your sexual self. </li> <li>Enjoy an easy exercise to open up your voice + expression. </li>
</ul>
<p>During our conversation, I felt every cell of my body lit up and alive. I hear that aliveness and true expression coming through on the recording as well. </p>
<p>If you get a chance to listen, I am curious what arises for you. Let me know your thoughts, reactions, and takeaways after you <a contents="check it out here!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amandatesta.com/saragiitaflores/?mc_cid=54881512f9&mc_eid=19a7b5e759" target="_blank">check it out here!</a></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amandatesta.com/saragiitaflores/?mc_cid=54881512f9&mc_eid=19a7b5e759"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/83cd06851e7899409937bb52e6352776b80f9ad1/original/feminine-fire.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tags: Voice Lessons, Singing, Speaking, Freeing Your Voice, Vocal Empowerment Coaching, Sensual Vocal Expression</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/68791422022-02-01T09:00:00-07:002022-12-07T08:37:14-07:00How to Build Confidence to be Seen and Heard<p>Recently, a student told me she didn’t want to seek outside approval from others, and that she wanted to be able to completely fulfill that need for herself. My heart ached upon hearing this, because I have gone through a lot of twists and turns around the relationship between external praise and self-confidence. </p>
<p> About four years ago, I went through a phase of telling myself that wanting any kind of external approval was always bad. </p>
<p><em>I thought that I should be able to 100% feel worthy and confident in my creative expression regardless of other people’s comments, praise, criticism, or silence. </em></p>
<p>Now that I’ve deepened my relationship to paradox, I’ve grown weary of the words “should,” “good,” “bad,” and “always.” </p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">I understand that we absolutely do need to cultivate an inner sense of worthiness and positive self-evaluation that is independent of what others do or say. Yet at the same time, it is hardwired into our human psyche to want acceptance from others. It is natural and healthy to want to receive praise or acknowledgment from our fellow humans, especially when we pour our hearts into a creative project. </span></span></p>
<p>This understanding really clicked into place for me when I heard a recorded lecture by Harvard psychology professor Tal Ben-Shahar on three aspects of self-esteem. </p>
<hr><p>The first facet of feeling good about ourselves is called dependent self-esteem. It encompasses the ways in which we are influenced by others and external circumstances in relation to our achievements and worth. When we enjoy a success or someone praises our work, we feel buoyed up. When we fail or someone criticizes us, we feel deflated. And when we see someone else hitting a home run, we are likely to compare ourselves (and end up feeling crappy.) </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/3979702a608cb751d23c916c98fabcd1a74bb5ea/original/dependent-self-esteem.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Dependent self-esteem from outside success, praise and encouragement can develop at any age </em></p>
<p>Tal emphasizes that this kind of self-esteem is not bad, and experiencing it is a necessary part of being human. But if it is our only basis of feeling good about ourselves, we will likely feel lots of painful ups and downs and be lacking in self-confidence. </p>
<hr><p>Because of these pitfalls, it’s ideal to also develop the second aspect of self-esteem, which Tal Ben-Shahar calls independent self-esteem. This is the ability to positively evaluate our own actions and achievements, and to react with resilience and self-compassion when we experience failure. I am cultivating this with my writing--when I look over something that I have written, I am conscious of noticing and enjoying the parts that came out really well. With the phrases which come off as awkward or unclear, I take the attitude that those sentences just need some more time and attention. </p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">In other words, independent self-esteem is not based on what I guess other people might say in reaction to what I do or create. It’s about praising myself for following what feels meaningful to me. In addition to evaluating ourselves positively, independent self-esteem also comes from making decisions based on our own values and developing a sense of our individual sovereignty. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/3c2cc9c87ee935baf55a34003e25f8e9227bec5e/original/eric-gonzalez-3p9xpykzwim-unsplash.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Independent self-esteem comes from evaluating yourself positively, developing your sovereignty and making decisions based on your own values and goals. </em></p>
<hr><p>The third aspect of self-esteem is called unconditional self-esteem. Tal describes this as a state of being where you internally feel whole and enough. In my own language, I call this inherent divine worth. </p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">In many ways this experience of unconditional self-esteem is beyond the ups and downs of feeling shiny confidence or deflated self-doubt. When we are connected to our inherent divine worth, we know that our soul is always worthy and complete. We sense that even through failures and losses, there is a perfect divine order bringing us just the lessons that we need. We are always enough at the deepest level. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/6ebc2303f26bee3f5a255f5f1f6ec984eaa68a20/original/danie-franco-cezypkdceqc-unsplash.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Unconditional Self-Esteem or Inter-dependent Self-Esteem is the state of experiencing ourselves and everyone else as intrinsically worthy </em></p>
<hr><p>Here’s the key to how these aspects of self-esteem progress: </p>
<p><em>you must develop the first aspect (dependent) before it’s a possibility for you to develop the second aspect (independent), </em></p>
<p><em>and you must have a robust, positive experience of the first two before you can develop unconditional self-esteem. </em></p>
<p>That being said, we don’t leave behind the earlier aspects as we grow into independent self-esteem and unconditional self-esteem. They are all part of a healthy human psyche and experience. </p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">These developmental prerequisites explain why so many creative women I know struggle with the worth of their voice and their art. </span></span></p>
<p>Even if a girl was lucky enough to receive the encouragement, praise, and positive feedback she needed as a child to develop healthy dependent self-esteem, she has still been swimming in the toxic water of never being able to live up to impossible standards (be gorgeous, young, thin, sexually pleasing to men, professionally successful, AND take care of everyone else’s needs without breaking a sweat). </p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">When we never got to fully inhabit our worth through the eyes of others, the most potent medicine is to consciously seek out environments where we can be witnessed, acknowledged, encouraged, and praised to build up our dependent self-esteem. </span></span></p>
<p>Only once this intrinsic need for being supported and accepted by others is fulfilled, can we more deeply cultivate the independent self-esteem and unconditional worthiness. </p>
<p><strong>When it comes to creativity, I have found that I needed to develop these three aspects of self-esteem for each creative avenue that I pursue. </strong></p>
<p>For example, with singing I received robust encouragement and praise that gave me confidence and ease around how I sound. This dependent self-esteem grew in the nurturing container of taking voice lessons for seven years, with teachers who gave me honest positive reflections, as well as compassionately-worded suggestions for improvement. </p>
<p>But when it came to songwriting, I never had that kind of safe, supportive nurturance. I started writing songs on my own after leaving college, and definitely received some criticism for my early songs. It’s been a long and painful road trying to share the songs that I feel called to write, given that I have had to piece together that prerequisite dependent self-esteem in order to trust that what I create matters. </p>
<hr><p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">I don’t want you to have to struggle for 15 years like I did. Now that I realize how essential it is for us as social creatures to have our creative voices nurtured, acknowledged, and praised with honesty, I am drawn to provide that feedback for my students in a more deep and loving way. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#824a4a;"><span class="font_large">I created the Celebration Circle for singers, speakers, and creative women to experience a supportive container where you can receive positive feedback (and loving suggestions for growth if you wish). </span></span></p>
<hr><p>Rather than keeping us hooked on the opinions of others, this kind of compassionate, loving support helps us build a robust foundation so that we can more easily access our independent sense of worth and our unconditional self-esteem that come from within. </p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">If you crave this kind of nourishment, send me a message through the contact page. I would be happy to send you more information or set up a free chat to see if working together would be a good fit for helping you bring the message on your heart into the world through speaking on podcasts.</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Tags: Speaking Coaching, Singing Lessons, Voice Lessons, Creativity Coaching, Vocal Empowerment Coaching, Creative Voice, Creativity, Self-Expression, Singing, Writing, Self-Esteem, Confidence, Podcasts, Speaking</span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/68782052022-01-25T09:00:00-07:002022-01-25T09:00:01-07:00Wet Wings and Restorative Creative Winter Energy<p>Last week I was delighted to visit a local Butterfly Pavilion, an enclave of abundant tropical greenery and beautiful winged creatures. After looping around the greenhouse a few times, I plopped down on a strangely low bench. It put me at eye level with the lowest part of the glass case holding hundreds of cocoons and a dozen newly emerged butterflies.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/e37712fd510c8cedf184f5d906ce686621e001e6/original/cocoons.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_medium" alt="" /> </p>
<p>Now I’m well aware that the whole caterpillar-chrysalis-butterfly transformation has become a cliché in the personal development world, but I’m going to go ahead and add to that overuse because one particular butterfly really touched me. Seriously. </p>
<p>The insect was on the floor of the chrysalis case, with its wings still wet and heavy. Its little legs were working so dang hard to drag its big heavy wings along, crawling furiously until it reached a higher spot on a branch. Then it rested completely, letting time and nature do the work of preparing its wings for flight. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/fc5ca3dc12b6274ab63af9c271719a6f524c1d44/original/butterfly.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_medium" alt="" /></p>
<p>While the butterfly may go through this period of waiting, pause, and perhaps struggle only once in its lifecycle, I find that we creative souls go through similar periods multiple times throughout our lives. This season is symbolized by the dormancy of winter, a time of year that we may love or hate. In my case, I tend to view winter as a period to “just get through,” looking ahead to the hopeful warmer days. I don’t go through winter kicking and screaming, but I’m sure not delighted about it either. </p>
<p>The tricky thing about a creative winter is that we are not taught how to recognize the opportunity for restoration and pause as a healthy, natural phase. It’s super common to start telling ourselves stories like: “I’ll probably stay stuck forever,” or “I’m just not creative enough,” or “my work was garbage anyway,“ or “my days of singing/writing/ painting/fill in the blank . . . are OVER.” </p>
<p>Clearly these are not happy stories to tell yourself. If you’ve mistaken a creative winter for a demoralizing dead end, my heart goes out to you. You deserve self-compassion, grace, and softening of those crusty beliefs that may be causing creative paralysis. </p>
<p>One of the most powerful ways to embrace the creative winter and free yourself up to move into springtime is to invite in divine support. Our ego self can keep us small and stuck for years, yet when we open up to our higher Self taking the lead, we often discover new possibilities and ways of being. We can start to see creative winter as a gift of restoration that is certainly not meant to last forever. </p>
<p>In my case, my inner divine consciousness has led me to seek support from coaching as well as creative peer support over the past year, and that juicy community has opened up massive creative and personal shifts. I finally feel the confidence and alignment to live my purpose. </p>
<p>If you ever feel called to give yourself that gift of compassionate support, I want you to know that I am here for you. Whether you feel curious about voice lessons, creativity coaching or the celebration Circle group program, I’m always up for a chat. Just send me a message on the "contact" page of this site!</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/68728992022-01-18T13:15:33-07:002022-01-18T13:15:33-07:00What is Spanda?<p>I have a long history of trying to push things into place, hoping to manage the “perfect” outcome with every project. And that had better happen on my ego’s timeline, thank you very much! </p>
<p>Yet the pushing habit has caused me a whole lot of suffering, truth be told. <strong>Which is why my soul keeps guiding me back to trust, surrender, and flow. </strong></p>
<p>Here’s an example of control versus acceptance and flow. At the moment of writing this first draft, it’s 4 AM. If I were in my mode of controlling outcomes, it would leave me tossing and turning, grasping for sleep, because that’s what I “should” be doing in the wee hours of the morning. But instead I decided to roll with feeling awake, got up to practice yoga, and found myself filled with these words that were begging to be written down. </p>
<p>I learned the Sanskrit word “spanda” (spawn-duh) from author Tosha Silver a few years ago. It means “inner leap,” or that instinctual divine pull to take a certain action. <strong>When I feel the spanda arise, I’m filled with energy and motivation. Creative expression flows. </strong></p>
<p>Over the past month and half, that expressive urge has been leading me to redo my website and redefine my work as a voice teacher and creativity coach. Over the past five years I’ve had voice students who were willing to play and experiment with me as I explored how to merge technical voice work and breathing exercises with yoga and inner healing. What’s emerging is a body of work I call Trust Your Voice. I am growing into my purpose of helping singers, speakers, and creative women to reclaim their worth, wholeness, and creativity by training and trusting their voices. </p>
<p>This is a celebratory moment for me, and I might even consider throwing some confetti if my husband hadn’t just vacuumed. You’re invited to join the gratitude party and check out my new website by perusing the pages in the menu.</p>
<p>As you go throughout your day, I invite you to notice if this idea of spanda or the inner leap wants to show up in your life. The promptings of your bodily intuition may guide you to sing a song, or write in your journal, or call a friend. You may feel the pull to declare what makes you grateful right now. Or you may feel the tug to shout a bit or take a walk. <strong>You can learn to listen to those inner promptings and express them outwardly with trust and ease. </strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/95cc5693e53a086cf757ce4082b6dbb8f140c98c/original/red-leaves.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/68666272022-01-12T09:50:01-07:002022-01-12T10:10:06-07:00Playfulness and Regular Showers<p>I am flinging open my arms to welcome in a more playful attitude. I can get pretty serious and heavy with all this life stuff, and it feels amazing to shake off my self-imposed shackles. </p>
<p>I am in the process of clearing out my past attachments, and one particular person who was the target of my judgement came dancing up in my memory. His name was Caleb, and he was a fellow music major in college. This guy irked me like no one else. He rarely showered (granted, that was not unusual for guys at Lewis & Clark College) and often made a point of sitting next to me in music history class. Though I had heard he was from a ridiculously wealthy family, he never bothered to buy the textbooks and therefore would ask to scoot his desk close to mine to share my book. I am laughing just remembering how much he pushed my buttons. </p>
<p>But now I see it was more than the annoying habits that got to me: it was his carefree spirit. He could be found in the hallways playing wacky instruments (usually made of gourds or intestines). He always seemed unconcerned about the future, grades, or other people’s opinions. And that is what rubbed me so hard: I was obsessed with those three. I was controlling, and rather than facing that part of me longed for a drop of his carefree attitude, I judged him. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/026fad831eec60496b47d4afa72eef8bf647404f/original/hudson-hintze-382573-unsplash.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> </p>
<p>Some of you may remember a previous post called, “If I have judged you, I am sorry.” I explored how being harsh and critical of others is a reflection of being harsh and critical of ourselves. For a few moments, we feel righteous and superior when we express a judgement. But it does not diminish the self-loathing that may be hiding out in the dark corners of our psyche. </p>
<p>So now I can laugh and see that I am always going to stick with my routine of regular showers, but I can let in some playfulness as well. Inside our judgements is a clue to a part of ourselves we are keeping in the shadows. With self-acceptance, we can free ourselves and let love take over. </p>
<p>I see this happening on a collective level as well: a certain political figure is bringing to light the unaddressed racism, classism and misogyny in our culture. We can get stuck in flinging judgement and criticism back and forth, or we can choose to love our imperfect human family. Now I am not saying we should condone hurtful actions. Not at all. I am just asking us to remember that hatred exists because of fear, and the only way to fill that void is with unconditional love. </p>
<p>Loving politicians is a pretty tall order, so it is a good idea to start with loving ourselves. Then we can move on to loving the irksome Calebs in our lives, and someday we may even feel we can be like Dr. King and offer love to the people who spew hatred. </p>
<p>We can see there is a new possibility for humanity, and it has been emerging into the light long before the Beatles sang, “All you need is love.” What more is there to say? Love is all we need.</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/66141862021-04-26T11:20:24-06:002022-01-25T11:24:34-07:00We Deserve to Rest, Pause, Heal, and Be!<p>Moving quickly has its merits. There's a time and a place for rush and efficiency. But as a life philosophy, it's draining. Here we are in this culture that tells us we are never enough and we have to do more, more more to earn our worth, earn our security, be accepted. Let this be a reminder: you don't have to buy into these myths! </p>
<p>The fast pace becomes toxic when we don't balance it with the medicine of moving slowly, honoring our bodies, and feeding our needs. I want to share with you a poem I wrote to embody the healing of slow, quiet pacing. </p>
<p><span style="color:#27ae60;"><em><strong>In Praise of the Unseen</strong></em></span> </p>
<p>In a world where the external is emphasized </p>
<p>– how we look, what we produce – </p>
<p>remember that the quiet and unseen things have value as well. </p>
<p>Your Inner Flame deserves to be nourished and tended to. </p>
<p>Your innermost needs matter. </p>
<p>When we value the unseen within ourselves, </p>
<p>we also start to appreciate what society has deemed unimportant </p>
<p>– from the carbon-capturing weeds and healthy soil – </p>
<p>to the most downtrodden and undervalued human beings. </p>
<p>I see you. </p>
<p>I honor you. </p>
<p>I thank you. </p>
<p>Every expression is integral to the whole. </p>
<p>The inner and the outer. </p>
<p>The slow and the fast. </p>
<p>The tender and the strong. </p>
<p>May we embrace it all, with love. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/754d36ddb0ec3634ee931ab6c33795784846fd37/original/nareeta-martin-cown-bygmlc-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/65792152021-03-19T12:01:28-06:002022-01-12T10:08:18-07:00You Are Already Enough<h2><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#27ae60;">You are worthy. Who you are inside is just right. You belong in your radiance. You don't have to earn or prove anything, because you are already enough. </span></span></h2>
<p>As you read those words, what comes up for you? Do you feel open to receive affirmation of your wholeness? Is there perhaps some skepticism or doubt coming in? Does discomfort arise? </p>
<p>Any and all reactions are valid. Because these words of worth are easy to say and more challenging to embody, I shot a video to ground us in the experience of our worth, giving space for those doubts and discomfort. </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/zhtux0McGa0"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/48c1ca003aa6a35cbf019510b2e338c64547c79f/original/reclaiming-our-worth-introductory-experience.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Click on the picture or this link to watch: https://youtu.be/zhtux0McGa0 </p>
<p>Let me know how it lands for you! </p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/65096472020-12-29T11:07:03-07:002022-01-18T13:16:49-07:00Honoring the Inner YES<p><span class="font_large">We are coming into a year of RECLAIMING and HONORING! (And we are all ready for the new beginning, am I right?) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Transformation begins with tapping the feeling of "yes" and "no" in our bodies. You could call it intuition. Or inner knowing. What is most important is that we learn how to feel it, and I wrote us a little poem about the flash of intuition. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/26ad28a8f28199e64f9e55c42c642a25e4394cb6/original/inner-yes.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I don't see this vision of embodying love as ignoring the problems and pain of the world. I envision the collective of humanity waking up in waves, looking honestly at our shadows and how the fears we have pushed away into the unconscious perpetuate the patterns of pain. I see us honoring the Earth more deeply and joyously celebrating every unique being, with no exceptions! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When we feel into what a deep "yes" feels like inside, we can summon the courage to act on it. Far from being ego-centric, following our intuition is an act of love that ripples outward. We give permission for others to live compassionately, to listen deeply, and to create with wild abandon. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As we envision this new beginning together, I thank you reading and witnessing my healing journey. Most of all, I thank you for being YOU! And if you feel guided, take a moment to share what visions you hold for the coming year, for yourself and the collective. I can't wait to hear your deeper truths!</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/64974662020-12-11T16:07:53-07:002021-08-09T04:52:01-06:00We are WORTHY to Receive!<p><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>Feeling worthy to receive love and attention happens with practice</strong></span>. When I look back on times when I have been unable to fully receive, I also see how much this capacity has grown over the years for me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">One of the most intense experiences of being showered with love came eight or nine years ago, when my son was a toddler. I found myself at a yoga and meditation retreat with 150 others at a college campus in Missouri. An audacious display of summer blooms lined the pathway from our bare-bones dorm room to the dining hall. After filling my tummy with yogurt and fruit, I dropped off my son at the childcare room. That morning I skipped the main event and veered into a side room, where ten other people had pulled their chairs into a circle. The air conditioning was too cold in here, so we put on our jackets and scarves and crossed our arms as we waited for the Heart Circle to begin. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A yogic monk dressed in orange robes, with a perfectly wrapped turban led us through the ceremony of his own invention. His turban made him look Indian, but he was American and was trained as a psychologist before his days as a monk. He explained that we would invite one person into the center of the circle, and everyone else would sing mantra music to the divine soul within them. He asked for a volunteer, and I jumped up. I was once again a little girl who had forgotten to raise her hand, but it was ok. I sat in the center, and a young man began strumming his guitar. As the other voices join in, sending all their love my way, my tears began. My whole body was wracked with sobs. Some people closed their eyes, while others were watching me. But I could feel there was no judgment here, so I let myself cry with abandon. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">How long did they sing to me? Five minutes? Fifteen? As the music slowed, we all fell silent. I didn’t have any tissues, so my face was wet and sticky. I felt held by the circle; everyone was silently rooting for me to heal, to become my best self, to deepen my connection with the divine. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Then the monk began to speak, inviting me to reflect upon what emotions came up as I received the music. I spoke of being raped, and the burden of being sensitive and prone to depression. But the real reason for my tears felt too difficult to share: that deep down I still did not feel worthy of so much love. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When my time in the center was up, I returned to my chair as part of the circle. I met eyes with one of the participants, who was gazing at me with unfathomable love. There was nothing sexual or self-serving in his presence; he was channeling divine love straight into my heart. But it was too much for me, so after a few seconds I turned away. It was like looking at the sun. I could not bear the brightness. But he continued to sit in stillness, sending me love. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/2ae10c485528f14f263c565986be6df414304023/original/tim-marshall-catzhuz7z8g-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Later that day, he approached me in a common area while I was watching my toddler play with a new little friend. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“How are you doing?” he asked. But I could tell it wasn’t a light, conversational question. He was ready to dive deep with this interaction. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“Pretty good, how about you?” I said with a fake smile. I didn’t feel comfortable opening my heart again right now. I had to keep the door closed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“I’m wonderful,” he replied calmly. “Will you be joining us for the Heart Circle again this afternoon?” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“I’d love to, but it’s my turn to put my son down for a nap.” As we conversed a bit, I felt unable to be truly present or thank him for the blessing he gave me. My experience of trauma resolution had helped me grow a bit more comfortable with feeling and expressing my emotions. But when the feelings were so big, I still had the reflex to numb and protect myself. Even so, his gift has stayed with me. A stranger saw me, all of me, and offered complete acceptance. I let down my walls, my masks, and I felt safe. He saw how broken I felt inside, and he still believed I was worthy of love. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Through the years since, I have committed myself to increasing my self-worth and my comfort with receiving. I was trained to always give, and I continue to see the beauty in being generous. Yet we can create balance by also acknowledging our worthiness to receive. Feeling worthy is not about believing we are superior to others. It is about recognizing the inherent value of our inner spark. It is trusting that our lives have meaning, and we deserve to revel in the beauty, generosity, and gifts that are knocking on our door, <span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>waiting for us to open up and say a big, heart-felt, “Thank you!”</strong></span></span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/64658312020-10-29T11:01:01-06:002021-07-27T11:10:53-06:00True Security Lies Within<p>True security lies within. When we deeply understand this, we can start to have more moments of feeling grounded even amid uncertainty, chaos, and conflict. </p>
<p>When I look at the polarization we are feeling in the US, I see that we are in a battle between people's subconscious beliefs of what will make them feel secure. As humans, we are fundamentally in an uncertain state with our only guarantee being death. That makes us scramble for things to grasp onto, even if they don’t actually bring security. Any kind of rigid belief that we are right and the other group is wrong stems from this desire to create certainty. When we find a group of people who confirms our beliefs, that gives a sense of comfort to our ego. But then if we contact anyone with different beliefs, our egos feel as if our life is being threatened! </p>
<p>Now if this philosophizing sounds a little dark, bear with me here because our awareness of where these fear patterns emerge can also help us embody a higher perspective. We can move beyond the us-versus-them battle mentality and be guided by love and kindness. We can feel compassion for why people feel so entrenched in their positions. We can be gentle with ourselves when we are sucked into the fear of our uncertain future. </p>
<p>I'm not saying this is always easy. Over the past few weeks I have spent done a few sessions of making campaign calls and speaking with undecided voters. When I come into contact with someone who's views strike me as selfish, it takes at least a day for me to recover and ground myself in love once more! I was raised to see humanity as one big family, to love Mother Earth, and to care for all beings on the planet. It pains me that not everyone shares this consciousness at the moment. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/48efed6616c56ee3d1eed6dad8f03feec09eb6af/original/20201028-125550.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Even when it hurts, we can move through the pain by keeping our sights on a higher perspective. All of this turmoil and shadow work is feeding the collective awakening of humanity. Through struggle we grow, question, contemplate, and start to release what no longer serves us. </p>
<p>We can see that the evolution of humanity is moving away from the false security of small-group identities and small-minded beliefs. We can gradually release our search for safety from outer circumstances. We can build a strong foundation from within, knowing we can always trust our expansive, deepest self to guide us through the challenges and bring exactly the right lessons for us to learn. </p>
<p>When I take a higher perspective, that's not the same thing as hiding in a cave, being passive, or backing down in the face of injustice. I'm a big believer in activism and democratic participation when it feels right! I am speaking about grounding in our highest selves so we can have moments of transcending the collective fear, meanness, and prejudice against those who have different beliefs. </p>
<p>No matter what happens in the coming months, the old power structures of patriarchy, white supremacy, and colonialism are still collapsing. With this dramatic death, many of humanity's old illusions are also crumbling, especially the frantic search for safety from external circumstances. Each individual must decide: am I going to get crushed beneath the rubble? Or am I going to step outside and take in the sunshine and see that nothing on the outside could make me feel safe anyway? </p>
<p>Only the love within can bring certainty. We are our own saviors. And when we stay true to our inner knowing, we can spread love and light for the healing of ALL. </p>
<p>Keep your light shining in these intense times. I believe in you. </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/63136262020-05-12T12:53:49-06:002021-09-03T11:00:18-06:00Honoring Where We are At<p><span class="font_large">Let’s all loosen our grip on our preconceived ideas of where we “should” be right now. Let’s take a moment to honor where we are at. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We may be grieving. That sacred process deserves so much time and love and spaciousness. If you are grieving, I see you, I honor you, and I support you. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If we are parents, we may be feeling the stress of being constantly on call- caring, giving, teaching, and inevitably losing our patience sometimes. All of the time we spend on parenting has value even if we don't see the results in a tangible form like money or praise or a finished product. Raising the next generation is a hero's task in these times. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I also honor that some people are working harder than ever right now as essential workers as well as those who can work from home. Your flexibility and resilience is so important. We appreciate all that you are doing. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Others are heeding the call of their bodies to rest more, to play more, to experience being rather than constantly doing. In my opinion, that rest has value. Our bodies love a chance to decompress and build up our reserves. And if we can bring awareness and intention to heal, rest can also shift our state of consciousness to help us become a more calm, centered, and generous human being. Our presence may even become an anchor of trust for those around us who are swimming in fear and uncertainty. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And if you are someone who is treading through all the difficult emotions and economic uncertainty right now, my wish is for you to honor where you are at as well. Today I am feeling centered, but I may be crying through my breaking point tomorrow. Collectively, we are experiencing so much fear and upheaval, which certainly can intensify our personal struggles. But let this be a lifeline to grab onto: through crisis we can choose to evolve into truer, more conscious versions of ourselves. Through struggle we see the old patterns that are no longer serving us and let them be replaced by more effective ways of being. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/88522f33cf1ed9955e90c88eceb2cebbc7c43521/original/mosa-moseneke-424869-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">Photo by Mosa Moseneke</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And one of the patterns so many of us carry is feeling we “should” be doing something else with our time. We are resting, but we feel we “should” be working. We're playing, but we feel we “should” be doing chores. Or when we're doing the important task of experiencing our difficult emotions, we may get stuck in feeling we “should” be more blissful or relaxed or happy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Let me be clear that I'm not suggesting we stop working or doing service or doing chores. And I am certainly not in favor of shutting down happiness and bliss when that naturally arises! I am suggesting we start to value how we are spending our time in every given moment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We can learn to appreciate where we are at by getting clear on our values. We can ask ourselves: is this activity important to me? What experience may it bring and how does that align with my values? For example- I value feeling comfortable in my home. I notice I feel more stressed when my bathroom or kitchen or bedroom gets beyond a certain threshold of messiness. So even though I'm not someone who gets excitement from cleaning, I can value the activity as something important to me when the energy to clean arises. The process feels so much more spacious when the motivation comes from within myself. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“Shoulds,” on the other hand, usually come from trying to align with external expectations. We may unconsciously be going by a societal example of what a “good” parent or worker or person should be doing with their time. Or we may be trying to comply with someone else's particular expectations for what our home needs to look like, our work needs to look like, or our lives need to look like. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If we want to find more peace with where we are at, this is a process of unlearning. We are releasing the fear of not following external expectations. Whenever we think, “I should be doing something else,” we can ask ourselves: is the task I feel bad about not doing at this exact moment important to me? Does it align with my values? If it does, I can trust that I will get it done when the time is right. The “should” does not need to encroach upon my joy when I am playing with my kids, or making music, or painting, or lying down. Ideally, I can just enjoy what I am doing while I am doing it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I call it a process because I have been working on dissolving the word should from my vocabulary for more than 15 years. And it still comes up for me! Over time, the shame that I feel in my abdomen when I fear I'm not doing what I “should” be doing has become less ferocious and less frequent. I can give myself compassion for being human and taking all the time I need to unlearn my conditioning. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And that is my wish for us all: that we may nourish ourselves with self-compassion. Please know that your presence in our human family is valued and honored, whether your contributions are seen or unseen. However you are spending your time, whatever struggles you are enduring, wherever you are at, let us honor this moment in time.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/62763712020-04-08T14:06:15-06:002021-09-21T13:23:34-06:00Grounding through Gratitude<p><strong><span style="color:#9b59b6;"><span class="font_large">Where can you find a pocket of gratitude right now? </span></span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Every morning for the past three weeks, my friend and I have been texting each other a few things for which we feel grateful. It takes around two minutes, and<strong><span style="color:#9b59b6;"> the practice is shifting my awareness to help me notice what is going well, what is bringing me stability and what I can appreciate.</span></strong> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There are many scientific studies about the benefits of gratitude, and sometimes I even get tired of hearing about it. “Yeah yeah,” I think, “I know I'm supposed to be grateful and it will make me happier.” Then I might think of a few things I appreciate, but not carry through in any long term way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Having someone else to keep me accountable has made the practice of gratitude easy, though. And, sure enough, my neuropathways seem to be changing. It is becoming more natural to notice the beauty around me. It is becoming easier to give and receive appreciation. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#27ae60;"><span class="font_xl">Inviting gratitude into our awareness does not mean we deny suffering or pain or fear. Our big human hearts can hold both the fear and the thankfulness. </span></span></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">I am scared someone I love will die from the virus. And I simultaneously feel grateful for their love and the joy and learning they have brought into my life. </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">I am nervous about losing my balance while having my kids home for an unknown number of months. I always thought I would go crazy if we tried to homeschool. Yet I am grateful to find I do have the capacity to adapt to unexpected changes like online schooling in quarantine. And I can feel grateful for all the beautiful things that lighten our moods these days: sunshine, backyard games, music, dancing, cuddling, gardening, reading, board games... </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/f71a0c9d0fba3612e6f17edc6bdeca25ddfee02c/original/20200408-103753.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">I am grateful for the blossoms emerging on our peach tree!</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Focusing on gratitude lets us embody the both/and emotional rollercoaster of this unprecedented change on the planet. A pandemic naturally brings up many of our fears for our survival. It can be immensely challenging. And at the same time, <strong><span style="color:#2ecc71;">this period creates the opportunity to move our nervous systems out of survival mode and hypervigilance. </span></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_xl">We are invited to join the awakening on the planet - and grow our capacity to accept, embrace, and bring love to All That Is.</span><span class="font_large"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As we spend more time at home, we can let rushing fall away. <strong><span style="color:#9b59b6;">Maybe the fulfillment we were chasing with such fervor was never “out there,” but inside us all along.</span></strong> We can stop running away from our demons, and instead turn around to face them. They probably are not the crushing monsters we imagined. They are just scared parts of us that want some love and attention. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There are many doorways to embrace the difficulties as well as the beautiful opportunities at this moment in time, and I find gratitude to be one of the most accessible.<strong> So I invite you to leave a comment and share: what are a few things that make you feel grateful right now?</strong> And if you are inspired to take up a gratitude practice or find a gratitude buddy, I would love to hear about it! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">With love, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sara</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/62548662020-03-19T09:13:56-06:002021-09-24T11:30:00-06:00Collective Rest Brings Collective Awakening<p><span class="font_xl"><em>Take a breath, my children. Take a pause. You have been in constant busyness for so long that you have not heard my subtle nudges to slow down and contemplate. Now is the time to grow your sustainable, nourishing roots. Now is the time for transformation. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I imagine Mother Earth whispering this message in all of our ears right now. Amidst the very real suffering of this pandemic, we are being invited to change our whole structure of how we relate to ourselves, each other, and our planet. <strong>Carbon emissions are plummeting due to the virus, and the air is clearing.</strong> We can see that in every crisis there is tremendous opportunity for positive growth and change. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Two weeks ago I wrote about how we can bring more sacred rest and joyous play into our lives <a contents="(click here if you missed it!)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://saragiita.com/sunlight-blog/blog/sacred-rest-and-joyous-play" target="_blank">(click here if you missed it!)</a> Listening to the messages of our bodies allows more rest, nourishment, and joy in each day. With so many cancellations and closings, we have a new opportunity to relish in our own simple pleasures. And as we feel the budding freedom of our own rhythms, we are contributing on a micro-scale to shift our culture of push-push-push, take-take-take, go-go-go. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">On a macro scale, the coronavirus is showing us that the seemingly marble-solid institution of capitalism is beginning to crack. It is unable to adapt to any unexpected slowdown in our relentless drive for visible productivity. <strong>What happens if we step out of the old doctrine that the only way to have stability is to grab as much as possible from the Earth and work till we drop? </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I recently had my mind blown by the concept of the Fertile Void in a book by Kate Northrup. Patriarchy and capitalism expect us to be in a state of perpetual harvest, as in always producing maximum yield with no breaks. But nature and our bodies need periods of rest. These times are also productive, but the positive effects are not measured by the eye. For the Earth, rest allows the soil to collect nutrients. The fallow period builds the soil’s reserves for the next cycle of outwardly visible productivity. This period of restoration is the Fertile Void. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>In our lives, the Fertile Void may look like a lot of waiting without knowing what will come next or how things will change. </strong>Rest, contemplation and play allow our immune systems to strengthen, even if we wish we had answers and plans to cling to during the waiting. When we don't know what is coming, it is invaluable to acknowledge that the vulnerable, childlike parts of our psyches may get really scared. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When we can learn to access our adult wisdom to reassure and care for our scared parts, that is where the peace seeps in. That is where the rest and the unknowing can become the ultimate gifts. They give us the opportunity to ground in our power, to restore our spirits, and to connect deeply with others. <strong>When we learn to trust ourselves through the uncertainty, we heal. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/a4199afdb31aeb08091df1c02f4ffeade24a9cd2/original/jeremy-perkins-ugnjypkphtu-unsplash-2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">While there is beautiful opportunity in this collective pause, <strong>I am not denying the intense suffering caused by COVID-19, nor am I trying to diminish the financial hardship many are facing now.</strong> This economic system leaves many hard-working people without much savings or cushion for hard times. I recognize that I am privileged to have extra money to stock up on groceries for my kids and their big appetites. I am lucky that my husband and I can both work remotely. And if at any point those incomes were to collapse, I am privileged to have family members I could call upon for assistance if finances got really dire. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The fact that so many people in our society don't have these privileges reveals where our economic system needs serious change. This may look like an entirely new economic structure such as Prout. Or this could include incremental changes such as greater safety nets for all members of society. Or we may be inching toward (or leaping toward) Universal Basic Income. <strong>Many thought leaders have made it their life's work to map out the positive possibilities of how our economy can better assure our basic needs while also giving opportunities, incentives, and freedom to all members of our human family. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But we won't be ready for a more sustainable system on a large scale until a critical mass of individuals bravely <strong>step out of fear-based thinking and awaken our consciousness.</strong> We need to dismantle the dominant outlook that the masses need to slave away for survival. And just as importantly, we need to release the resentment and inadequacy that we have been fed since birth simply because we are not rich yet. So many people carry anger that despite all of our hard work, despite following all the rules and being good little producers, we still don't feel secure. We still don't feel safe. We still don't trust that we have enough. I am here to shout: it’s not our fault! We deserve to feel supported by our society, not pitted against each other, scratching for every little scrap of security! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We could spend all our energy throwing anger and blame at the politicians and wealth hoarders. But their power is already crumbling. <strong>What if we gather our beautiful energy and focus on our individual and collective awakening? What if we take this fallow period of rest to stock up on kindness, and trust, and love, and creativity, and inner strength? Imagine what seeds we can collectively fertilize. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A good place to start is by loving and nourishing our inner children. Usually when internal anxiety runs high, it is the inner child doing most of the freaking out. He/she/they are terrified of not getting their needs met. See how your own scared parts react to you stepping into the wise, calm, reassuring adult voice. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_xl"><em>I got you. I am here. Take a breath. It is safe to slow down. It is safe to trust your needs will be met. We will get through this. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Was that the voice of Mother Earth again, or my own inner adult? Since we each have access to infinite wisdom, I am deciding they are one and the same. </span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/62371222020-03-04T10:07:43-07:002021-08-13T10:18:54-06:00Sacred Rest and Joyous Play<p><span class="font_large">Have you ever felt guilty for resting? Or doing something fun and thoroughly “unproductive?” I used to be the queen of guilt-tripping myself for just about anything that felt good. And the tendency still pops up throughout the stages of my life. But I have learned to see how much that guilt-tripping voice is an internalization of unhelpful messages from the outside: Don’t be lazy. Push through your body’s needs because nothing is more important than getting stuff done. Every second you are not moving toward your goal is a second wasted. Ick. I feel the contraction of those messages, and I see how much they are the lifeblood of capitalism and patriarchy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Now I am all in favor of healthy goals, self-discipline, and achieving what you want to achieve. It is the implied “should,” the pressure that is the problem. </strong>Underneath is a fear of being unworthy or unaccepted or being thrown on the street if we don’t constantly push ourselves. So we act as if we are robots. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But it turns out we have bodies. And when we don’t honor our physical needs for healthy food, holy rest, and joyous playtime our immune system is not happy. And then we get sick all the time. And freak out about new viruses. And run ourselves into the ground until there is no other option but to rest. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">What if we could learn to integrate rest and reflection into our routine of highly valued activities? <strong>What if we listened to the needs of our bodies?</strong> It is true that the outside culture does not support us stepping out of the “I am a robot” model. But when more and more of us choose a different way of being, the culture gradually shifts with us. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/681c2fa8c85313bce16de8e1d8877bdbf0855440/original/border-sacred-rest.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Instead of viewing rest as a necessary distraction from our to-do-list, we can see it is restorative and productive. Gathering our energy is not the same as avoiding what we need to do. Laziness is a term we can reclaim to reflect the joy of doing nothing. And we can trust that the time we spend resting will make us more focused, calm, and productive when we are ready to buckle down. <strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>So go take a walk, or dance, or lay down. Eat slowly or meditate or sing or make something that has no apparent function other than to be pretty.</strong> Or go to yoga. Just honor your body and your intuition. Reclaim sacred rest and sacred play in your life. And tell me how it goes! </span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/62157012020-02-14T16:30:47-07:002021-09-27T12:38:05-06:00Your worth is not dollars and cents<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/37c338875690aeca4e19b7dd07f38e4fa2ec0490/original/you-have-worth-your-worth-is-not-dollars-and-cents.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/62004912020-02-02T11:01:36-07:002021-08-02T12:29:36-06:00Integrating Kindness and Ferocity<p><span class="font_large">Sweet. Kind. Peaceful. These are the qualities of my personality I have deemed “acceptable” for as long as I can remember. I don’t like conflict; I like harmony. I don’t like pain; I like peace. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But, oh mama, these qualities are not the whole of me. <strong>I have fierceness, fire, and strength.</strong> I am learning to speak my truth loudly even if it may trigger resistance, judgement, or turmoil in others. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This came to light recently in a conversation with my new soul sister, Catherine. She asked me if I ever worked with <strong>the goddess Kali, the skull-wearing, fiery dark mother of the Hindu tradition. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“Ugh, no,” was my response. “I am repulsed by her. I am resistant to the darkness, pain, and struggle of life. I want joy and light, all the time.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There it was-the story of my life in a few sentences. I knew immediately that something had to change. <strong>I could not keep pushing away the pain and darkness that come with human existence.</strong> I mean this is a literal way. I have been experiencing intense physical pain over the past few months, and it has made me understand the futility of trying to avoid discomfort. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Even the idea of a fierce, dark mother made me squeamish. Yet I saw that I could not recoil anymore. I listened to an online course called, “Invite the Inner Kali Power.” And in less than 24 hours I was at her feet, inviting Kali to take me over with her bad-ass energy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Oh, my rational mind was doing flips and contortions over how strange this all seemed. Wasn’t Kali a myth? And furthermore, how could I follow a goddess that many people hate? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But I realized I don’t believe Kali lives in the sky or has any form at all. She is an archetype of a fierce and loving mother that lives within me. I am opening to her fiery power as a source of inner guidance. She represents the wholeness of life and death, light and darkness. She represents the two sides of my being that I am trying to integrate. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/86b568d5242a43e8a483427f28aa2a7217970391/original/sweetness-and-fire.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Pastel and watercolor artwork by Sara Giita Flores (that's me!)</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Channeling Kali’s strength, I can explore the painful parts of myself that I have pushed away out of fear that the sensations would overwhelm me. I can crawl out from under my rock and <strong>embrace the turmoil, pain, and destruction in the world.</strong> I can show up as a force of healing and wholeness. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I felt the rightness of loving Kali in my soul. I am ready to embrace pain and strip away my fears. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_xl">I am ready to be rebirthed by fire.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/60531122019-12-31T11:12:41-07:002019-12-31T11:12:41-07:002020: Cultivating Inner Strength and Compassion<p><span class="font_large">When we only focus on strength, we are likely to be hard on ourselves or others. Ick, that is not what I want. I spent enough years beating myself up, thank you very much. But when we only focus on compassion, we run the risk of being a pushover in life. Not so appealing either. <strong>My intention for 2020 is to cultivate a balance between my inner strength and self-compassion.</strong> Challenges arise and I need some warrior courage to confront them. But I wish to let in the kindness and compassion as well; failure and pain will sometimes knock me down and I don't need my loud-mouthed inner critic to pile on the shame.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">While 2019 has brought its own pain for me, I feel myself growing and stepping into my power more authentically as I emerge. I am uncovering my inner warrior. She only grows stronger as she overcomes the obstacles. She perseveres.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>And I see the strength in you, my friend.</strong> May your intentions for the coming year be a guiding light as you step into your power!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/0f01682d495aa0e7b146732e34e9b4999ce2c4f4/original/this-is-the-year-to.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/59387092019-10-25T09:47:58-06:002019-10-28T15:34:13-06:00Feather Boas and Childlike Joy<p><span class="font_large">I see so much joy in her eyes as she is dancing. Exhaustion in my voice, I tell her, “Let’s practice piano.” I open up her book and point to the song of the week. But she doesn’t hear. Her inner compass points to a more free form of artistry as she hums a spontaneous song and dance. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Often she is still wearing her school uniform in the evening, evidence of how much structure we impose on her childlike joy. <strong>But tonight she is wearing her ballet leotard, a tutu made of an old blue bandana, and a purple feather boa that is losing most of its feathers. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">She is radiant. She is submerged in the divine flow of the moment. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/c6998c758b8eab864d1b8c5b5ff6ab0b7630bff8/original/gabby-orcutt-9mzgpupqupw-unsplash-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Gabby Orcutt on Unsplash<span class="font_large"> </span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>My heart aches, longing to reclaim that endless capacity for joy.</strong> For playing and expressing simply because it feels good. I had that once. But one fateful afternoon, my friend’s dad sexually assaulted me. I was only five years old, the same age my daughter is now. And after that playdate, I never again felt quite so free and unencumbered. I could still glimpse my childlike, joyful expression when playing by myself. But in the company of others, I felt a new alertness to ensuring my safety by never upsetting anyone. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When I was pregnant with my daughter, I began to face this trauma that had cast a dark cloud over my life. In therapy, I often came up against the feeling of having been robbed. I believed the bad man had stolen my playful spirit, and it was forever lost to me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But as I watch my daughter’s shining face and expressive arms,<strong> I realize my own spirit was never stolen.</strong> It was just squashed. Compressed under the weight of fear. But my joyful five-year-old is still inside, ready to play and create and smile just for fun. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sometimes my inner child pouts because I spend so much of my life focused on responsibilities. And that ain’t gonna change any time soon. If I were to completely renounce adulthood, I think my family would be very tired and hungry and generally drifting through chaos. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“Let’s strike a deal,” I tell my playful, childlike parts. We will still fulfill those adult responsibilities. But we can also join in the dancing and tutus. We can paint and scribble. We can sit down at the piano and let the notes pour out. We can laugh and be silly and go down the slide at the park. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If I play long enough, the adult part of my psyche will eventually look at the clock and say, “It’s time to brush our teeth and go to bed.” As humans, we have the capacity to be both mature and childlike at the same time. We can grow into responsible adults and still remember how to play and create and find beauty in life’s simple pleasures. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>I believe we all still carry our childhood joy inside, in spite of the many ways society tries to beat it out of us.</strong> The dull dampening into “adulthood” may come from trauma or cruelty, or from something more difficult to spot such as comparison to others, media messages, disapproval, or pressure to conform. Precious few of us arrive into adulthood with our delightful inner child shining proudly. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But whatever may have happened in the past, it is never too late to reclaim our pure, childlike joy. When we embrace all parts of ourselves, resentment and pain softens. <strong>We just may discover a little one within who has been patiently waiting for us to reach out a hand and say, "Will you dance with me?” </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I would be honored. Just let me find my feather boa. </span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/59154842019-10-04T10:41:20-06:002021-02-08T03:40:12-07:00Approving of Ourselves<p><span class="font_large">I have never labeled myself as a "people-pleaser" but the tendency is there nonetheless. It is no secret that girls are conditioned to be nice and make others happy. And if you have ever been victimized, you may have found yourself with a ferocious urge to be everything to everybody. It is all an attempt to stay safe. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But of course, we cannot make everyone happy. There will always be someone who doesn't like what we are doing. There will always be people who withhold their approval.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">So why not drop the people-pleasing and instead let our authentic joy shine through? Why not remind ourselves every day that we are enough as we are? When we are kind to ourselves. we spread far more happiness than trying to fit ourselves into anyone else's mold.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/6fea3279ebccc77c55a8ad3a1ea0538b47f853e1/original/approval-instagram-post.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/59039982019-09-24T16:46:54-06:002020-12-07T05:39:45-07:00Dissolving Unworthiness<p><span class="font_large">I have been telling myself I have just been too busy to write. Everything else on the to-do list felt much more urgent than this humble blog. But the truth came out this morning, when a compassionate friend told me she enjoys reading every post but noticed the blog had stopped recently. As my eyes misted over I said, "I guess I have been asking myself why I am doing this. What is the point?" </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yes, that was the deeper truth behind my claims of being too busy. In my internal excavation, my shovel ran into another layer of unworthiness. When I feel that hard barrier my first instinct is always to give up. I back away and tell myself whatever I am trying to do is not worth it. In this case, I felt the emotional labor of writing and sharing my feelings was not going to make a difference in the world. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But as I let the tears fall as I spoke the truth to my friend, I saw clearly that I do not need to live forever in fear of that layer of unworthiness. Because once I have rested my muscles and stepped away from my obstacles, I see the shovel is not my only tool. How could I forget the waters of love and self-compassion? My friend's encouraging words reminded me that I can soften any seemingly rock-hard barrier with love. She said, "Don't ask why. Just keep creating. If it helps just one person, you are making the world a better place." </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Once again, kindness is what keeps me going. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/40fa5857d76ac8a5540bb25d506b587bd576d71c/original/james-fitzgerald-o5wczudz-2s-unsplash-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by James Fitzgerald on Unsplash</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As I write this I am on a bus going over the foggy Golden Gate Bridge, at the end of a very meaningful visit with my two dear friends in California. And rather than being seeped in unworthiness, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Because I am surrounded by people who keep choosing kindness and bravery, even in the face of suffering. And we are willing to keep creating, keep giving, and keep showing up for each other to spread love in the world. </span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/58205112019-07-10T17:34:31-06:002021-09-20T11:36:59-06:00I Won't Just Survive, I will THRIVE<p>“I used to be so certain about everything,” I noticed as I recently pulled up the lyrics to one of the first songs I wrote at age twenty-two. My self-doubts seem to have been buried more deeply back in those days when I felt I could conquer the world if I had the right attitude. </p>
<p>In that exuberant first song, I wrote: “positive thinking will bring victory.” I no longer see life as so black and white- sometimes those “negative” thoughts and feelings have to be felt. Denying our experiences for the sake of pretending we have a positive mindset will only take our growth so far. </p>
<p>Yet I yearn to regain a little bit of that certainty and buoyancy from my early twenties. So today I am singing the refrain from “I Will Thrive:” </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/6b51880a12b815f1cafa4a707dfeb8eb2c975106/original/i-will-thrive.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I wrote it in a yellow notebook while riding in the crowded backseat of a road-tripping car. And even though I have never managed to completely bid my doubts goodbye, I am reclaiming the certainty that I will thrive. </p>
<p>With love, </p>
<p>Sara Giita Flores</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/58052632019-06-26T17:13:26-06:002022-01-12T09:57:48-07:00Will I ever feel "Ready?"<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/528c6512db95a309ce2e16f4e64eff3f78569c51/original/flight.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've been waiting and waiting for my wings to grow. I've been waiting and I still don't feel ready.</p>
<p>But when I turn around, I see that the power to fly has been with me all along!</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57895972019-06-12T16:53:16-06:002020-10-20T09:11:11-06:00Have you Played today?<p><span class="font_large">My mom gave me watercolor paints for my birthday. At first I was intimidated when I saw they were professional quality. I thought "I don't know how to use these! I'm not a real artist!" Then I reminded myself that only matters if I am attached to the final outcome of my creations. If my goal is to create professional watercolor paintings, then I'd need to be concerned with my skill. But if I let it be about exploring and playing with color, and not caring if the end result is "good enough", then I can reclaim the joy of painting I knew in my childhood.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And what a joy it is! For my first painting, I splashed paint all over the place and mixed the colors together. For the second, I decided to paint a colorful background and write with markers the message of the day:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/fd10adb701b0160f79d7bbe823b05c8508312a2d/original/playful-rough-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Leave me a comment about your favorite ways to be playful! And if you don't have any, <strong>think about what you loved to do as a child, with no purpose or end result in mind...</strong></span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57825862019-06-06T15:19:03-06:002019-06-06T15:19:03-06:00Those Baby Grapes Will Keep on Growing<p><span class="font_large">I wrote the following post a full year ago, but my fear of rejection made me procrastinate for months before I started this blog. As I still struggle with making myself vulnerable, it seemed like a good time to share the beauty of baby grapes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Last year, it snowed in May, killing off the crop of budding peaches and grapes in our yard. As I dare to make my dreams reality, I fear I may be met with the same fate. I fear failure. I fear I may not deserve an amazing, bountiful life, and I will be left where I started, feeling small and disheartened. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yet, nature is not deterred. This spring, the most amazingly tiny bunches of grapes and budding peaches adorn the plants. There is no guarantee of their survival. They may get killed off. Yet the plants are not deterred and attempt to fulfill their destiny year after year. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/ed74905ee34d7c0b50e694e3dba949c2262e9e3f/original/grapes-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">These are the actual baby grapes from my actual backyard!</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When I found myself pregnant at age 24, I thought I had to give up my dream of being a professional musician. Deep inside, I didn't feel that I was good enough anyway, but I covered that up with telling myself I needed to devote all my time to my work and parenting. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">On the surface, everything looked fine. I had a beautiful family, we ate organic food, we read books like crazy and often walked to the park. Yet underneath the surface, I felt parched by relegating my creative gifts to the back burner. I still wrote songs, but I rarely performed them. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I was like dry, cracked earth. Without the life-giving water of creativity, I could survive but I could not flourish. Once I started valuing the time I devote to music and writing, everything shifted. My bushy green branches emerged, creativity bringing life to my long-suppressed voice. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Now I must be clear that I still get dry spells. I still get fears. But now I know to honor my creative self no matter what responsibilities or challenges emerge. Just singing for five minutes can change my entire day. I do not know what impact my creative expressions may have on this beautiful Earth. But I know that as long as I can see the sunrise I must keep on creating. I must try, just like those baby grapes that never give up.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57570692019-05-16T13:22:29-06:002019-05-16T13:22:29-06:00I Will Care For You<p><span class="font_large">The last time I performed a piano solo was 16 years ago, before I got tendonitis. Though I have thankfully regained some of my ability to play without pain, <strong>I have always been self-conscious</strong> of the simplicity of what I can comfortably do these days. I have stuck to singer/songwriter material where my voice naturally can take center stage and the piano part can be relatively easy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But in February, inexplicably, I started composing a piece for solo piano. It began as an improvisation and morphed into a reason for me to fly down the stairs to the piano any time a new melodic idea floated into my head. Gradually the composition took shape as an ode to my inner child. <strong>Through the keys I promise to myself: I love you and I will care for you no matter what. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Breaking my 16 years of self-conscious hiding, I performed the piece at my student's recital last month. I felt confident and free, knowing that <strong>simple can be beautiful.</strong> I invite you to celebrate with me and give it a listen! </span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="AsxM25olJWE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/AsxM25olJWE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AsxM25olJWE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>With love and gratitude, </p>
<p>Sara</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57378082019-04-30T14:32:16-06:002021-07-16T03:44:04-06:00Embracing it All: Maybe Complaining and Gratitude are Not at Odds <p><span class="font_large"><strong>I tried for many years to “transcend” my “negative” emotions</strong>- you know, the anger, sadness, inadequacy, self-criticism and depression to name a few. The feelings would come knocking at my door and I would try to politely ignore them. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It never worked. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Maybe it can work for some people, like Eckhart Tolle who suggests we just wake up in the middle of our unpleasant emotions and step right out.<strong> But for me, trying to eradicate certain feelings just added on more layers of shame; it gave me something new to fail at! </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Now I take the perspective that <strong>feelings are meant to be felt.</strong> I am doing my best to honor and experience the emotions that arise, without labeling them as negative or bad or wrong. Challenging? Perhaps. But each emotion can also be an opportunity to look within and learn to love myself more deeply. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">At some points in my life, I have found solace in drawing and songwriting as ways to let my emotions be felt and expressed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And this past month has been all about stream-of-conscious journaling. <strong>On the page, I can let myself express all of the whiny, sad complaints I don’t typically say out loud.</strong> I can access the parts of me that feel abandoned and unsafe, and let those voices feel heard. I can dump it all onto the page to clear out some space inside. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/33a3234b8bb6dffac036a14867d0e6d001a5e751/original/jessica-lewis-623899-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash </span></em></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>That’s right, moaning and complaining in strategic doses actually helps me make room for the more enjoyable emotions.</strong> Right now I am letting in gratitude for the beauty and love in my life. I’m not pretending I am grateful while everything is a churning mess inside. I am letting the churning mess be expressed so I have energy left for something new. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Right now, I am clearing out space for gratitude. In the future, who knows what will come? I am open.<strong> I can embrace it all with love.</strong></span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57295582019-04-23T12:35:27-06:002019-04-23T12:35:27-06:00Spring Cleaning: A Very Practical Way of Letting Go<p><span class="font_large">My creative projects were flowing like crazy for a full year. Building music websites, performing regularly, writing the rough draft of a book- they all came blessedly easy. <strong>I thought I was on a steam train blazing forward, never needing to stop and refuel. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And then all the steam evaporated. It seemed like a cosmic joke because as soon as my ego thought “I am getting pretty good at booking gigs” and “I never get writer's block,” I began this period of pause. Rejection emails poured in for all the gigs that I had applied for. And on the writing front... even the thought of working on my book proposal seemed too painful. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The blessing of this waiting period has been deep healing and lots of time to rest. And as I feel ready to unstick myself from my creative blocks, I am turning to an unlikely (for me) activity: cleaning! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I am not super tidy by nature (just ask my sister who has helped me clean out my closet multiple times.) But it feels so good to clear away the clutter. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/7a018b7305494f9013f9915834663148ac044b32/original/alvin-engler-48444-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Alvin Engler on Unsplash </em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As I let go of the physical objects I no longer need, I find myself letting go of mental attachments. I can recycle the evaluation forms for the workshop I was excited to give but the organization canceled at the last minute. <strong>What is the use of holding on to it and staying disappointed? </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I can give away the nice pants that are too tight around the waist- and be happy with the body I have right now. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Some things are very easy to get let go of- like the moldy can of tomato paste hiding in the back of the fridge. It's clear that no longer serves me! Many of my mental attachments, however, take more than a toss into the garbage bin.<strong> Releasing the past is an ongoing process,</strong> much like peeling the layers of a cabbage. (I know, people usually say the layers of an onion, but I have never once peeled an onion in my life! Better stay true to experience:) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">With so much cleaning and giving away, I am opening up space- and doing my best to enjoy the suspense of what may open up tomorrow.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57132052019-04-09T12:25:39-06:002019-08-21T02:52:15-06:00Feed Your Flame<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/a5650accdacca5d158111ba4c1159a264e77a09e/original/feed-your-flame.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/57042612019-04-02T13:28:17-06:002019-08-21T02:51:32-06:00I'm an Instrument<p><span class="font_large">My family has been building an eclectic playlist on Spotify. My nine-year-old son adds hip hop and rap songs (the bleeped versions of course) plus a hearty dose of Weird Al Yankovic. My four-year-old daughter favors the anthems from all the Disney movies, though we have not let her watch many of them yet. And then we have some jazz for my husband and my own picks of softer, uplifting songs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A few weeks ago my son departed from his usual driving-beat, chart-topping taste, and he added several of the tracks from my album, Take the Leap, on to our playlist. I am not sure what his motivation was, but I was certainly touched. And one song </span><span class="font_large">in particular</span><span class="font_large"> has been speaking to me as it pops up again and again: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I'm a humble instrument, an instrument of love, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I'm a humble instrument, an instrument of peace, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I'm a humble instrument, an instrument of joy, joy, joy, joy! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I'm a humble instrument of your sweet melodies. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/3d9664a7473c9180db49c6c9fa5cec3cc3560ba9/original/william-recinos-194213-unsplash-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by William Recinos on Unsplash</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In other words, it is not my ego, my small self running the show. It is not my ego achieving or succeeding- or failing for that matter. I wish to open to a force of Love much greater than little old me. I wish to let the love move through me in “life's unfolding dance.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sometimes the process of opening up is joyful, like when I am writing a new song. Other times letting go is very painful; I feel like I am being cracked wide open and rebirthed as someone new. Can you tell I'm hanging out in the second category right now? Yet, I'm hanging on to gratitude and trust and self-love and everything that feels holy through this rebirth. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Letting life flow has always been a struggle- my overachiever self still likes to grasp for control. Yet deep down I know I'm better off if I “Let it Go” like Elsa from Frozen. And if I'm still clinging to something that no longer serves me, then I can “shake it, sh-shake it. shake it like a Polaroid picture” to the funky beat of OutKast. Here I am, learning to stop fighting the river’s current as I listen to my family’s soundtrack. </span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/56856962019-03-19T13:07:09-06:002019-08-21T02:51:45-06:00Playfulness and Regular Showers<p><span class="font_large">I am trying to welcome in a more playful attitude. I can get pretty serious and heavy with all this life stuff, and it feels amazing to fling off my self-imposed shackles. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I am in the process of clearing out my past attachments, and one particular person who was the target of my </span><span class="font_large">judgement</span><span class="font_large"> came dancing up in my memory. His name was Caleb, and he was a fellow music major in college. This guy irked me like no one else. He rarely showered (granted, that was not unusual for guys at Lewis & Clark College) and often made a point of sitting next to me in music history class. Though I had heard he was from a ridiculously wealthy family, he never bothered to buy the textbooks and therefore would ask to scoot his desk close to mine to share my book. I am laughing just remembering how much he pushed my buttons. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But now I see it was more than the annoying habits that got to me: it was his carefree spirit. He could be found in the hallways playing wacky instruments (usually made of gourds or intestines). He always seemed unconcerned about the future, grades, or other people’s opinions. And that is what rubbed me so hard: I was obsessed with those three. I was controlling, and rather than facing that part of me longed for a drop of his carefree attitude, I judged him. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/026fad831eec60496b47d4afa72eef8bf647404f/original/hudson-hintze-382573-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Some of you may remember the post from January 15th called, “If I have judged you, I am sorry.” I explored how being harsh and critical of others is a reflection of being harsh and critical of ourselves. For a few moments, we feel righteous and superior when we express a </span><span class="font_large">judgement</span><span class="font_large">. But it does not diminish the self-loathing that may be hiding out in the dark corners of our psyche. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">So now I can laugh, and see that I am always going to stick with my routine of regular showers, but I can let in some playfulness as well. Inside our </span><span class="font_large">judgements</span><span class="font_large"> is a clue to a part of ourselves we are keeping in the shadows. With self-acceptance, we can free ourselves and let love take over. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I see this happening on a collective level as well: a certain political figure is bringing to light the unaddressed racism, classism </span><span class="font_large">and</span><span class="font_large"> misogyny in our culture. We can get stuck in flinging </span><span class="font_large">judgement</span><span class="font_large"> and criticism back and forth, or we can choose to love our imperfect human family. Now I am not saying we should condone hurtful actions. Not at all. I am just asking us to remember that hatred exists because of fear, and the only way to fill that void is with unconditional love. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Loving politicians is a pretty tall order, so it is a good idea to start with loving ourselves. Then we can move on to loving the irksome Calebs in our lives, and someday we may even feel we can be like Dr. King and offer love to the people who spew hatred. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We can see there is a new possibility for humanity, and it has been emerging into the light long before the Beatles sang, “All you need is love.” What more is there to say? Love is all we need.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/56697672019-03-05T12:08:30-07:002021-10-27T10:31:00-06:00Is it Self-Sabotage or Self-Protection?<p><strong><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#27ae60;"><em>Good things don't last</em>, a nagging voice in my head warns me. </span><em><span style="color:#27ae60;">You may be feeling good right now but something bad will surely come along soon.</span> </em></span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Is the looming threat of pain as inevitable as my inner critic tells me? Well, we do know that life in this body is finite. Everything is transient, impermanent. <strong>But this fact can become a source of fear </strong>(sh*t, I could die tomorrow!) <strong>or a source of openness and possibility</strong> (how precious </span><span class="font_large">is</span><span class="font_large"> my life and every moment unfolding!) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I am learning to choose possibility and positivity. And, for me at least, it is not a floating-away-in-the-clouds, one-time decision to make. It is a nitty-gritty, in the trenches process. Here is what it might look like: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">1. I have a fearful thought. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">2. I feel my body tightening; I feel the knot in my stomach. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">3. As I notice my contraction into a fear-influenced state, I have a choice: let the fear take me over, or hold it in my hands. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">4. If I can hold it in front of me, see it, acknowledge it, validate it, then I can let it go. I can offer it to the light, and feel my internal poise realigning with the light and peace that I am. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/9552a78b488ed037aede437064d5dce2da36a723/original/hands-light-edited.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Throughout the day, I repeat the process. I worry. I get stuck. I choose to release. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Most of the time, at least. Sometimes I am still pulled into the dark cage of fear, feeling trapped. It may be due to exhaustion. It may be a case of automatically taking the well-worn path of negativity. Or it may be self-sabotage, which at its root is just a form of protection. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Whaaaaaat??? How can self-sabotage be a form of protection? Well let's go back to my original limiting belief: <em>good things don't last.</em> This could certainly be called self-sabotage since the thought can rapidly bring me down from a state of happiness, enjoyment or relaxation. But in a backward way, my psyche is just trying to protect me from disappointment.<strong> Feeling amazing for a long time brings me out of my comfort zone where I stay small and safe. <span style="color:#27ae60;">The possibility of big dreams and present-moment-fulfillment also comes with the risk of pain and disappointment. So it's no wonder that part of me tries to stay in the familiar mode of surviving rather than thriving. </span></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It is such a relief to stop berating myself for my self-sabotaging thoughts, and instead to honor them as a form of self-protection. I can acknowledge them without letting the worry take over. I can reach out my hands and let it go into the light.<strong> </strong>As I do so, I feel my own light strengthening with each day.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>If you want to find out more about transforming habits of self-sabotage, I highly recommend <a contents="this video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://inlpcenter.org/aha-process-self-sabotage/" target="_blank">this video</a> from the perspective of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. <a contents="Click here to watch!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://inlpcenter.org/aha-process-self-sabotage/" style="" target="_blank">Click here to watch!</a></strong></span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/56624712019-02-27T17:16:03-07:002019-02-27T17:16:03-07:00Healing is an Ongoing Process (New Video)<p>It's easy to think we can be happy someday in the future when we are completely healed and have achieved x, y and z. I have learned we don't have to wait. We can experience joy and freedom right now, even if we have more healing and life lessons to learn. Check out some major hand gestures to illustrate the point in my new video!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="_Owgbn_bO1w" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/_Owgbn_bO1w/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Owgbn_bO1w?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/56396552019-02-12T11:31:29-07:002021-08-13T10:05:13-06:00I am a Loon, and I'm ok with it<p><span class="font_large"> “You need to set energetic boundaries so you don’t take in other people’s negativity,” I was told last week. A part of me thought, “Yes, that is absolutely right.” <strong>And another part of me clenched up,</strong> the way I am accustomed to resisting anytime someone starts talking about energy, auras, or higher frequencies. <em>That’s too crazy, I don’t want to be that woo-woo. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It surprises me that these judgments enter my mind, given that I was brought up in a family environment of meditation, yoga, and mantras. And now, in my own way, I continue to make mind-body-spirit practices a part of my daily life. <strong>Yet I still find myself avoiding things that seem, well, weird. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As I contemplated the idea of setting energetic boundaries, my mind jumped back to a cartoon character I watched countless times as a child. She was an aura-obsessed, meditating valley-girl. After a little internet digging, I found out her name is Shirley the Loon from the early 90’s series Tiny Toon Adventures. As a child, I did not know that a Loon is a type of bird, similar to a duck. I only took on the double meaning of her name: Shirley the Crazy. Her blue eye-shadowed lids would close as she floated in the air during meditation, repeating the mantra: “Oh, what a loon I am.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/fb8e6b39c1e6a1571150caca015cdef7b1a52405/original/loon-wings.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>This is a real live loon taking flight. Shirley the Loon is less copyright friendly. Photo credit:https://flic.kr/p/ZRbGRm. </em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I never wanted to be like Shirley the Loon. I wished I could be like Babs Bunny, a popular, pink bunny modeled after the classic Bugs Bunny character. Everyone loved Babs. Everyone laughed at her jokes. <strong>My eight-year-old self soaked up all the messages about what I should hide and what I should show to the world. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In fact, these cartoon characters were just two of the countless messages I absorbed growing up about what would make me popular, beautiful, and </span><span class="font_large">likable</span><span class="font_large">. I spent years trying desperately to achieve the ever-elusive feeling of being “normal.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thankfully, I learned all about the harmful effects of media messages in a communications class in college. At the same time, I started getting to know myself: my own personality, passions </span><span class="font_large">and</span><span class="font_large"> dreams. <strong>I decided that “fitting in” as a life goal was never going to make me happy. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Gradually I have shifted my internal compass toward activities, practices </span><span class="font_large">and</span><span class="font_large"> people that bring me fulfillment and joy. <strong>Before trying something new, I ask myself, “does this serve my highest good?”</strong> Last week, when I began to explore how to set energetic boundaries, I asked that same question. I felt my energy gathering in my heart center with the answer: “Yes! This will help me grow in beautiful ways!” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If that puts me in the same category as Shirley the Loon, count me in. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> </span></p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/56284892019-02-05T10:15:08-07:002019-08-21T02:51:39-06:00Trusting Life to Unfold<p><span class="font_large">My bandmate, Anastasia, texted me on Sunday: “One year ago today was our Haiti Benefit Concert! So grateful to make music with you!” My mind circled back through all the work and excitement that led up to the concert, and I smiled as I remembered one ambition in particular. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Several months before the benefit concert, I met a PR coach and learned how I could pitch a story to get our concert featured in the media. <strong>I had a vision of the local Denver news showing photos of the smiling Amurtel Orphanage kids in Haiti, with Kate, Anastasia and I being interviewed on the morning news.</strong> And it wasn’t just any news station: it was 9News I wanted to get on. So I carefully prepared my pitch. I sent it. I followed up. I called the News Desk. I followed their instructions. And I got…. silence. No response. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I gave up on banging my head on the </span><span class="font_large">wall,</span><span class="font_large"> and did have success getting our inspiring event featured in two local magazines and one public radio station. <strong>We had a great crowd at the </strong></span><strong><span class="font_large"><strong>concert,</strong> and raised about $3600 </span></strong><span class="font_large">for a new roof at the orphanage in Haiti. I was exhausted afterward, but happy, and decided to take a year off from planning such a big event. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/55c77b600c95ccc3fd64988e8f73ae3bcb927b91/original/cute-girl-haiti-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>A happy girl enjoying her meal at the Amurtel Haiti Children's Home</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I let it go that we didn’t see ourselves on TV. Raising the money and having fun at the concert were enough. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>But here is the twist: ten months later, my band appeared on 9News, without any effort on my part.</strong> We were playing an amazing Sensory-Friendly concert at Swallow Hill in Denver, and I was taking my customary pit-stop in the ladies room before the show. Through the metal walls of the stall, I overheard excited voices: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“Did you see her? A reporter from 9News showed up! She said she heard about the concert and asked if she could take some shots and interview a few people!” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My stomach dropped. For a moment I was overcome with nervousness. What if I mess up and my incompetence is broadcast all over the state? But then I </span><span class="font_large">smiled</span><span class="font_large"> and remembered the words to my song “Flow with the Rhythm” about surrendering into life’s twists and turns. <strong>I remembered that whether ten people hear my performance or 10,000, all I can do is let the divine joy flow through my song. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That evening, we appeared on TV singing our hearts out with Santa hats on. Our band was not the focus of the news story; the delightfully active kids were rightfully the center of attention. And I was grinning from ear to ear, remembering that<strong> life and dreams are not for me to control.</strong> When I pushed so hard to get on the news, nothing happened. But when I was relaxed and unsuspecting, life fulfilled my little dream in a new way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_xl">We have to put ourselves out there, it is true. We do need effort. And then all we can do is trust that everything will unfold in its proper time.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/56072122019-01-22T12:00:50-07:002019-01-22T12:00:50-07:00Feeling Worthy of Love<p><span class="font_large"><strong>You are beautiful and good and worthy. </strong>By virtue of being a human being on this planet, you are worthy of love, despite any and all past experiences or mistakes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Do you believe only some parts of yourself are worthy of love? Do you believe only some parts of yourself can be allowed to show? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I know I did. I had a secret so dark even I couldn't bear to face it. I lived my life grounded in the secret shame of unspoken sexual trauma. I only let my polished parts show: the </span><span class="font_large">likeable</span><span class="font_large">, sweet Sara who would always put some extra sparkle into finishing projects, who would always support my friends, who would always paint on a smile. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I knew the sweetness would earn me love. But I believed my family and friends would not love my shadow side, my darkness, or my pain. <strong>I could not let my whole self show until I learned to love myself. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Transformation</span><span class="font_large"> began when I stepped into the cozy office of a white-haired trauma therapist named Maggie. It was just over ten years ago. As I began to face the shame I had shunned, I began the journey of feeling worthy. I let in the possibility that I deserved love and healing. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I discovered that being good and worthy is not about being perfect. <strong>We all make mistakes, and facing the darkness and the light means acknowledging our mistakes and rectifying our behavior.</strong> I have hurt others. I own that. I apologize. I forgive </span><span class="font_large">myself,</span><span class="font_large"> and move into the space of feeling worthy of love even as someone who has caused pain. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Through my journey of facing my pain, I learned how my struggles could transform into my greatest strength. I learned how self-love can propel me into a life of courage, possibility, and joy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Every day I renew my vows of love to myself. I continuously accept the dark and the light. I know that I am worthy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/80f7c4db03ea464a480aa34bca0b3c2037e7e386/original/tim-mossholder-414902-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash</span></em></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55972752019-01-15T15:34:11-07:002021-07-02T20:45:18-06:00If I have judged you, I am sorry.<p><span class="font_large">If I have judged you in the past, I am sorry. Please know that judging was my way of being, and it was never about you. </span></p>
<p>Some people were blissfully unaware of my judgments of them, like the guy who let his energetic dog off the leash in a crowded park. </p>
<p>In other cases, I felt the need to act morally superior and criticize my friends and family. I called out my parents and sister for the foods they chose to eat. I criticized a longtime friend for going to the sunless tanning salon. I even judged another friend when she decided to become Catholic. Talk about none of my business! Now I can accept that these were their personal decisions, and I see that voicing my negative opinions was not helpful or supportive. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/303ab27f362a721147315c5b1f08f4254f4f35bc/original/patrick-fore-389431-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash</em></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In my teens and early twenties, I was very critical of others because I was harsh and judgmental of myself.</span> I would have told myself I was a bad person if I did those things. Nowadays, I look back and see what a narrow world I lived in, trying to be “right” and “good” all the time. I also see how many other people feel the need to hand out unsolicited judgments and unhelpful criticisms, especially online. </p>
<p>When people are hurting inside, they often find ways to hurt others. But when we can learn to be at peace with ourselves, the need to feel superior to others diminishes. </p>
<p>We can be non-judgmental and still have an ethical framework - I am certainly not suggesting we let people run around stealing, assaulting, or otherwise hurting others. But our culture of judging too often strikes at personal expression and a person's decisions that really don't affect other people's lives. </p>
<p>Whether making choices about their own bodies, expressing their beliefs and personality, or deciding how to spend their time, everyone has a right to live their lives. If we find ourselves judging someone else’s personal choices, it is high time we look within and ask how their choices may be stirring up our own insecurities and self-judgments. </p>
<p>That's where self-compassion comes in - I know I am always bringing this up. <span class="font_large">When we love and accept ourselves, we become more accepting of others. The tendency to judge gradually melts away. </span></p>
<p>Is it any surprise that once again we return to this message? Peace starts within. </p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55863422019-01-08T10:51:09-07:002019-01-15T15:29:07-07:00Joining together to heal rape culture<p><span class="font_large">Is sexual assault a gender issue, or a societal issue?</span></p>
<p>In decades past, primarily women were concerned with changing rape culture. These days, I am so inspired to see more and more people of all genders working to create a culture of consent and respect. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Last month I met a jovial Aussie man named Petros Galanoulis, who is committed to moving beyond the gender blame game. In his new book, he encourages everyone to come together to prevent sexual violence and remove the stigma for males who are survivors. </p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/54da38880869282e89c9dc1327cd8e2817d2398d/original/sebastian-leon-prado-438756-unsplash.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo by Sebastián León Prado on Unsplash</em></p>
<p>But how do we prevent sexual violence? Experts across the world agree we need to educate young people about consent and boundaries. Going beyond “the talk,” (the one-time, awkward sex talk parents may give in early adolescence), <strong>teaching consent is actually an ongoing conversation. It also starts earlier than most people think: as soon as children learn to talk, we can teach them to tell a trusted adult if someone touches them in a way that feels uncomfortable. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Petros offers his own helpful way to remember if an intimate encounter is crossing any boundaries, with the 3 C’s of Consent: </p>
<p>1. Coherence- all people involved in intimacy must be in a sober, sound state of mind </p>
<p>2. Consent- all people must agree on how they want to be intimate </p>
<p>3. Co-Enjoyment- communicate with your partner to ensure the interaction is mutually enjoyable </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I spoke with Petros about his new book, Reaching For The Light: A Path For Deep Healing, Forgiveness and Re-empowerment After Sexual Trauma, and<strong> I was amazed that he interviewed a real-life perpetrator of sexual violence, who reformed his life when his victim gave him an ultimatum.</strong> I need to hone my interviewing skills because I could not get him to reveal any more about this story of reconciliation and healing! </p>
<p>If you are as curious as me to hear the inside viewpoint of a reformed perpetrator as well as six warrior survivors, we will just have to check out the book at: <a contents="yougotthismentalhealth.com.au" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.yougotthismentalhealth.com.au/rftlbook.html" target="_blank">yougotthismentalhealth.com.au</a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here’s to all people coming together and creating a world of respect and compassion!</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55780442019-01-02T15:56:40-07:002019-01-02T15:56:40-07:00Being Your Own Hero in 2019<p>In 2019, I am committing myself to being my own hero.<strong> I am freeing myself from feeling trapped by circumstances and other people's actions in the past and present.</strong> I'm working to let go of the last vestiges of my victim mentality. </p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/198d48eb6e68a2baec8be4c41d6102852ca34de0/original/be-my-own-hero.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>It was nine years ago when someone suggested I was keeping myself stuck in the role of the victim, blaming others for my lack of happiness. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was an anxious new mom with a constantly crying baby, and I complained to my doctor that no one was helping me enough (along with a dozen other complaints, I am sure). “That's interesting,” she said kindly. “I wonder why you were placing yourself in the role of the victim?” I blinked at her and shifted in my chair. “What do you mean?” was all I could manage to say. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Well, if you really wanted to improve your situation, you would have to take responsibility for asking for help and making changes in your own attitude and life. Many people never take that responsibility though, and get stuck in a victim mentality. They believe the outside world and other people are always 100% to blame for keeping them stuck and unhappy.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p>No one likes to hear they have a victim mentality, and I was no exception. For one thing, it implies the problem is all in our head, when we probably just want someone to acknowledge that we are struggling. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>What is even more tricky, though, is that many people will feel the only alternative to blaming others is blaming ourselves. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I am a big advocate for self-compassion, so I definitely don't want anyone turning their criticism or blame inward. We can love ourselves even with our human imperfections and create a third choice: personal responsibility. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> </span></p>
<p>Personal responsibility is about looking for our point of power. It is about facing difficult circumstances head-on and looking for the ways in which we can improve the situation. Afterward, taking responsibility may mean reflecting on how we can avoid any of the same mistakes in the future. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finding our power instead of wallowing in blame may take many forms, including: </p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Changing our attitude, and looking for what we can feel grateful for in the situation. </p>
<p>-Letting ourselves have some rest and rejuvenation to encourage a fresh outlook </p>
<p>-Choosing not to engage with mean-spirited criticism or a toxic person </p>
<p>-Recognizing that our internal worth is unchanging and unaffected by someone else’s actions </p>
<p>-Setting boundaries for ourselves </p>
<p>-Asking for help instead of feeling alone in our obstacles </p>
<p>-Making a bold decision even if other people may not approve </p>
<p>-Getting off our tush and starting (or finishing) a big project we are passionate about. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Whatever it may look like for you right now, I hope you deepen your own sense of personal power in 2019. I wish for you to always see your own brilliance and potential and to take inspired action to be your own hero. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> </span></p>
<p>Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash </p>
<p> </p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55631592018-12-20T14:33:55-07:002019-08-21T02:51:56-06:00The Gift We Give Ourselves<p>After I was sexually assaulted, I fell into the common coping mechanism of blaming myself and believing I was bad. Learning to be kind and compassionate with myself has unlocked so much healing and growth. I wish for everyone to give themselves some more love, so I made a video about self-compassion this week! </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="BhOEN-ww5h8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/BhOEN-ww5h8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BhOEN-ww5h8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>If you know someone who could benefit from a reminder of their worth, please share this video!</strong></span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55493152018-12-11T11:37:23-07:002019-08-21T02:52:00-06:00Turning Impossible Standards into Beautiful Possibilities<p>I am a perfectionist in recovery. </p>
<p>When I was 24, I told my life-long friend Chelsea that I was completely over my perfectionism. <strong>She raised her eyebrows at me. “You are not fooling anyone, honey,</strong>“ she said knowingly. Her statement wasn't completely true, because I was fooling myself for a few months there. </p>
<p>Ten years later, I am coming to accept that I will probably be a perfectionist in recovery for my whole life! </p>
<p>Trying to be perfect began at a young age. I thought I had to earn love by being good. It was my coping mechanism to cover up the darkness inside. </p>
<p>Deep down, I feared I was bad. An abusive adult (my friend's dad) taught me that I was worthless. He taught me to keep secrets and harbor shame. He taught me to wear a mask and pretend everything was running smoothly. </p>
<p>How I clung to that mask. <strong>If I could just be perfect in every way, I could keep the darkness at bay.</strong> I could hold up my world. I could make sure no one saw my true, shameful self. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/6b886e3c62f3ff55d18b5f74bab793a5284004a8/original/jonathan-hoxmark-615859-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Psychologists know perfectionism is not a healthy way of life. Setting impossible standards for ourselves is a great way to run ourselves into the ground. </span></p>
<p>I reached my breaking point when I was 19. We tend to think of the “face on the ground” moment of despair, but for me it was “face on the piano keys.” I was a piano major in college, experiencing severe pain in my hands and wrists. I had to stop playing all together, losing my one safe method of self-expression. In my despair, I had to face the fact that it was impossible for me to be perfect. </p>
<p>Fifteen years later, I have slowly rebuilt my ability to play the piano and find joy and fulfillment in the keys once more. But I am still uncovering new layers along my journey of unlearning perfectionism. </p>
<p>I have made leaps and bounds of progress with letting my once-stifled creative voice break through my internal judgments and harsh standards. </p>
<p><strong>But I still fall into the trying-to-be-perfect trap sometimes</strong>, in the way that an alcoholic may relapse back into their old coping mechanisms. </p>
<p>I find myself feeling guilty for my many moments of less-than-perfect parenting. (Yes, I yelled at my son last night.) </p>
<p>I berate myself for not doing enough to stop problems like global warming. (Particularly when I am driving my car every day.) </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Intellectually, I know that being human means being an imperfect person with plenty of contradictions. </span></p>
<p>Yet I still struggle with the box of standards I have lived in for so long. </p>
<p>My hard-to-shed rules for being a “good person” are quite simple really. All I have to do is: </p>
<p>1. Be a perfect parent so my kids can become perfect leaders </p>
<p>2. Save the world, including all creatures and people </p>
<p>3. Be happy all the time </p>
<p>Ha! I am laughing at my own ridiculousness. Yet these impossible ideals have persisted through my 15 years of perfectionist recovery. </p>
<p>In the inspiring book, <em>The Art of Possibility</em>, authors Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander distinguish between standards and possibilities. </p>
<p>Standards tend to leave us noticing where we fall short. <strong>Standards are often based on comparison, scarcity, and fear of what will happen if we don't measure up. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Possibility is more open. Possibility is not about living up to a certain level, it is about growing into beautiful new ways of being. </strong></p>
<p>To quote Rosamund and Benjamin, <span class="font_large">“the practice of framing possibility…trains us to be alert to a new danger that threatens modern life- the danger that unseen definitions, assumptions, and frameworks may be covertly chaining us to the downward spiral and shaping the conditions we want to change. But look what magical powers we have! We can make a conscious use of our way with words to define new frameworks for possibility that bring out the part of us that is most contributory, most unencumbered, most open to participation." </span></p>
<p>In other words, we can still hold our personal ideals as beautiful possibilities, without feeling bad about our shortcomings. Deep in our core, we can know that <strong>we are good enough just where we are at, and we can still grow into our dreams for our best selves.\</strong></p>
<p><em>Photo by Jonathan Hoxmark on Unsplash</em></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55394882018-12-04T13:30:35-07:002018-12-04T13:30:35-07:00Overcoming the Intoxicating High of Domination<p>I was once a bully. I am not proud of it. Usually I write about overcoming my experiences as a rape victim. But I must come clean about my brief episode as a perpetrator of violence, because I remember all too well the power-high of domination. And I firmly believe that almost all of our environmental, social, and political problems stem from our culture of domination. </p>
<p>What is domination? According to the Oxford Dictionary, domination is “the exercise of power or influence over someone or something, or the state of being so controlled.” Sounds pretty academic. But the key words are power over. Domination is the opposite of equality in a relationship, interaction, or society. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/a2ba48bf508d8a138ba71b8205b1e2a1dc8c8217/original/domination-with-credit.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>As humans, why do we feel this urge to exert power over others? Does it go back to our evolution as social animals led by “alpha males?” Experts say this is an oversimplification. Anthropologist Tim White explains that alpha males likely ruled the common ape ancestor we shared with chimps around 7 million years ago, but that they no longer exist among humans. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I believe the centuries-long focus on domination stems from our own feelings of powerlessness. Deep down, most people feel scared by the fact that we have no control over when or how we die. </span></p>
<p>Without proper guidance, we may seek harmful ways to feel more in control. That may show up in a nation as the urge to conquer (think war, colonialism, and environmental destruction), the urge to feel superior (as in racism, sexism, classism), or the urge to bring someone else down (like relationship violence, bullying, or fighting). In all cases, we may try to temporarily elevate ourselves by stepping on someone else. </p>
<p>I felt that power high when I was in seventh grade. A friend and I got into an argument. She supposedly called me an unforgiveable name. Our peers encouraged us to fight. But looking back, I see it was not a fair fight. Everyone else was standing on my side, and she was all by herself. Feeling intoxicated with the crowd behind me, I bullied her. I left her with bruises, and left myself drowning in remorse at the end of the day. </p>
<p>That is the problem with the intoxication of domination: the feeling of superiority will always be temporary. We are only the winner for a little while, because, in truth, any interaction of hurting someone else will ultimately leave us both broken and in pain. And for those few people who never feel remorse, there is a name: sociopath. </p>
<p>Most of us are not sociopaths, yet so many people participate in the culture of domination. What, then, is the solution? </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Self-compassion, forgiveness, and personal evolution. We bring kindness to ourselves and let go of our own shame and past mistakes, instead of projecting our pain onto other people. We forgive ourselves for our own moments of trying to control others. We forgive perpetrators who are truly seeking redemption and reparation. </span></p>
<p>And, finally, we see that we don’t need to be superior to anyone to be worthy. Personal evolution can become a healthy channel for our urge to be ‘good enough.” Instead of needing to make others inferior, we can find fulfillment in becoming the best version of ourselves. </p>
<p>Finding our own fulfillment through a growth mindset ultimately gives us more control over our lives. I am reminded by a favorite quote from the book I am currently writing (yes, I am going to quote myself!) </p>
<p><span class="font_large">“Empowerment is standing in our own power, letting ourselves grow upward and outward like a deeply rooted tree. Empowerment helps everyone, and empowerment is for everyone.” </span></p>
<p><strong>To stay in the loop for my book launch, visit saragiita.com/book and sing up for the mailing list!</strong></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55293182018-11-27T12:00:36-07:002018-11-27T12:00:36-07:00My Mood-Boosting Survival Secret<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/9ae602fb568bd94cad141a3d78f724f0e61f62a9/original/mood-boost-post.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Let’s just say this bad-ass weightlifting lady was never me</strong>. I have always thought of myself as weak and un-athletic. Oh, I tried exercise as a kid. I played soccer, and my team lost all our games. I scored one and only one goal in my three seasons of rec soccer, and I had intended the kick to be a pass to my teammate. It rolled past her, and through the legs of the goalie on accident. </p>
<p>In college we were required to take at least two physical education credits. <strong>I signed up for a Self-Defense for Women class, and got my first taste of empowerment.</strong> We practiced our self-defense moves with partners and for our final I broke a board with my bare hands (on the second try- I got scared and pulled back on my first attempt). </p>
<p>Beyond learning to protect my body, <strong>I discovered that exercise can feel good even if you are un-athletic and uncoordinated like me. </strong> I found myself energized after class, even though I thought I should be tired. My mood was sunnier. Could this really be the result of the dreaded EXERCISE???? </p>
<p>Our culture has encouraged us to think of exercise as a means to looking good. I once ran into a friend at a Zumba class, and she told me, “You don’t need to work out!” (Translation: “You are not that fat- you could stay home and skip all this effort.”) </p>
<p>Oh but I do need exercise. I need it like air. Otherwise despair creeps in. Otherwise depression looms.<span class="font_large"> For me, exercise is all about the mood boost. It is about how I feel, not how I look. </span></p>
<p>As I say this, I realize I am genetically privileged to look not so far off from how the horrible magazine images tell me women should look. I honor all bodies and experiences and I am not saying it is a bad thing to exercise for reasons of beauty or health. </p>
<p>I am speaking for myself, that the exercise-induced serotonin boost in my brain has been life-saving. On my journey of healing after childhood sexual assault, I have become well-acquainted with anxiety and depression. I have had my nights of despair. Yet<strong> I know the sun will rise, and if I am feeling down, I can do some yoga, take a walk or hop on our second-hand elliptical machine.</strong> (Yes, it looks ugly in my living room, and yes it is still worth it). </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I boost my heart rate and I boost my mood. Then I can take on the world. </span></p>
<p>Photo by Alora Griffiths on Unsplash</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55212522018-11-20T09:31:33-07:002018-11-20T09:31:33-07:00Enough with Seeking Outside Approval, Already!<p>I remember a painful day when a fellow bandmate suggested a change to the chords in a song I had written. I burst into tears, ashamed that I was upset but unable to stay calm. Although his comments were expressed respectfully, <strong>I took his criticism as unequivicol proof that I was a bad songwriter. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>I internalized the belief that I was bad at a young age</strong>. My friend’s dad sexually assaulted me, but called it a punishment for being bad. He told me it was my fault, and I believed him. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Changing this belief, and learning to feel worthy, has been an underlying current in my healing journey. I used to think it was as simple as deciding to change the belief, and then I would be set for life. That initial shift is essential. But then <strong>we have to revisit the lesson over and over again, in so many situations, until worthiness and feeling good enough become our default beliefs. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>As a teenager and young adult, I sought external proof of my worthiness. Getting perfect grades, winning awards, and earning other people’s praise were my chosen methods of proving I was good enough.<strong> Yet looking for external validation took away all my power</strong>. I would feel successful and worthy when I received a compliment; I would feel like the scum of the earth when I was criticized. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>When I began writing songs at age 22, I loved the creative process. But sharing the songs was not so easy, because I was not yet grounded in my own worthiness. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I suspected that people were just saying they liked my music to avoid hurting my feelings, but still I sought out the opinions of others. I asked friends. I asked my family. I was searching for some proof that my music was worthwhile. <strong>But really, I was looking for validation that I was good enough. </strong></p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/1439a9aff896ac9f49a00b9ce1f899a0320e3362/original/im-a-real-artist.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>My friend and mentor Sian Lalita’ Alcock gave me a tough-love lesson. When I asked her if she liked my music, she responded that it did not matter if she liked my music. It only mattered if I valued it. I said, “Right, of course, but what do you think?” She held her ground. “It doesn't matter what I think,” she insisted. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Convinced she thought my music wasn't that good, I burst into tears. I was filled with anger and pain and went to hide in the bathroom. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Still, she made her point. <strong>Someone else's opinion of my creative voice is unimportant.</strong> I could stop torturing myself on the roller coaster of needing outside approval. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>With every song I share, every post I write, every speech I give, I feel the old doubts surfacing. “Is this good enough? Am I good enough?” <strong>And each moment becomes an opportunity to strengthen my own feelings of self-compassion and worthiness. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_xl">By valuing myself, I have all the validation I need.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Photo by Chris Curry on Unsplash</p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55115442018-11-13T13:32:43-07:002018-11-13T13:32:43-07:00Can we heal our #MeToo Experiences? (Video)<p><em>It's a big leap into a new life, a risky flight into the blue sky</em></p>
<p><em>but fear won't stop my change to fly, I won't let life pass me by</em></p>
<p>This week I created a music video about healing after assault, featuring "Take the Leap, " which my fans often tell me is their FAVORITE song! Enjoy!</p>
<p><em><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="3p4x1XNzg7M" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/3p4x1XNzg7M/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3p4x1XNzg7M?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></em></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/55019852018-11-06T11:45:50-07:002019-08-21T02:52:05-06:00Proof of Our Capacity to Heal<p>Are we doomed to carry the burden of our pain and shame after trauma? Are we damaged beyond repair? <strong>I believe we have the capacity to heal, </strong>and here is why. </p>
<p>Last week I had the pleasure and challenge of going on stage to speak at a conference following the keynote of an amazing survivor, Diann Kissell. Watching her on stage, Diann radiates love. <strong>She is a living testament to our capacity for forgiveness, healing, and transcendence. </strong></p>
<p>In the audience, we journeyed with her through the horrendous trauma that she has overcome. Diann grew up with the terror of incest; her father taught her that she was worthless and powerless. At age 13 she ran away to a family member’s home who coaxed the truth out of her. By breaking her silence, Diann felt she was responsible for her father’s ensuing rage; he murdered her mother and two youngest siblings before coming out of his trance and calling the police to report himself. </p>
<p>Diann’s healing process drives home that <strong>feeling whole again after trauma is an ongoing journey.</strong> She has truly done the work, reprocessing her trauma in years of therapy, learning to forgive herself and her parents, and focusing on cultivating her own empowerment and happiness each day. </p>
<p>As a survivor committed to my own healing journey, I gather stories of hope and healing after even the most horrific traumas. In my twenties I read almost all of Maya Angelou’s books, inspired by her drive to overcome the pain of childhood rape and pervasive racial discrimination. <strong>She broke the dominant narrative in our society of victims being forever broken.</strong> By finding her voice, she let in the light of healing. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/01222cf70a2aafa19104d9e471d9450a2e68da6f/original/heron-dance.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>While I gather evidence of our human capacity to heal, I fully acknowledge that some people have more barriers to accessing the resources they need to heal. As humans, we need to be in a life situation of relative safety in order to heal profound traumas. </p>
<p>Too many people are still trapped in abusive relationships, food insecurity, violent neighborhoods or war zones. I recognize the ignorance of preaching “We can Heal!” to people who cannot count on their basic safety; <strong>we need to help lift people up out of poverty and violence before expecting them to transform their pain into a source of strength. </strong></p>
<p>And then we need to elevate the voices of brave survivors from all backgrounds, holding their stories as evidence of how we can overcome profound trauma. Diann gave me strength to go through the vulnerable process of sharing my own healing story on stage. I hope to pass on the baton to more survivors, handing off my own story as proof that we can break the silence and create a culture of healing and respect. </p>
<p><strong>We can heal by learning to face the pain with compassion and love for ourselves</strong>. We can move through our flashbacks and find our firm footing in the present, by inhabiting our bodies and bringing mindful awareness to all aspects of our lives. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Healing is a process without a finish line; we are not seeking a magical day when there will be no more pain. We are seeking the magic in THIS day, when we can access our strength to handle whatever pain we may be poised to overcome. </span></p>
<p>You can purchase A Turquoise Life, Diann Kissell’s inspiring story written by Kathy Bird, at <a contents="amazon.com/Turquoise-Life-Womans-Journey-Triumph" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.com/Turquoise-Life-Womans-Journey-Triumph/dp/1457529025&nbsp;" target="_blank">amazon.com/Turquoise-Life-Womans-Journey-Triumph</a></p>
<p>Photo credit: <a contents="Angela Marie Henriette" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://flic.kr/p/xaYDy9" target="_blank">Angela Marie Henriette</a></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/54911622018-10-30T08:00:00-06:002018-10-30T08:00:34-06:00How Can We Support a Friend who has been Sexually Assaulted?<p> It took me years to reach out for help after my sexual assault experiences. When I told my friends and family members what I had gone through, they all had loving intentions. They all wanted to help. But not everyone had the information they needed to respond supportively without diminishing or dismissing my experience. </p>
<p>Recently, more and more victims have been breaking their silence. With this bold reckoning, more and more victims are seeking support! Here are some guidelines on how to help a friend or family member, compiled from various rape crisis centers. </p>
<ol> <li><strong>Let the victim know that you believe them and reassure them that you know the assault was not their fault. Let them know that you still love them. </strong></li> <li>Ask them how you can support them. If they are unsure, you can offer choices such as: “Would you like me to sit with you while you cry and let your nervous system wind down?” or “Would you like me to contact a rape crisis center?” </li> <li>Recognize that a sexual assault means losing control over your body. This means<strong> the victim needs to be in charge of all physical touch, even comforting touch. </strong> Rather than rushing to hug them or rub their back, ask what would help, and reassure them that their choice is valid and respected. </li> <li>Avoid interrogating questions such as “Why didn’t you punch your attacker?” or “Why didn’t you run away?” We are familiar with fight or flight mode, but the freeze mode of staying still is a common survival mechanism in the face of fear. If they submitted to an assault, that does not make them a willing participant. </li> <li>
<strong>Encourage the victim to get professional support.</strong> Immediately after an event, this may mean contacting a rape crisis center and seeking medical attention. When the assault took place months or years ago, encourage them to look for a therapist they trust. </li> <li><strong>Respect the victim’s decision to report or not to report the assault to the police. </strong></li>
</ol>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/930552b4506ee11f6f5bc402f2cd21ede0a42bc4/original/how-to-support-a-friend.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Personally, the greatest support I received was from my husband about six months after we were married back in 2007. He printed out a list of local therapists specializing in trauma recovery, and encouraged me to call. I protested the idea of therapy. We were tight on money, I reminded him. We were living in a tiny apartment with a refrigerator from the 1960s. Therapy was too expensive, I insisted.</p>
<p>But the deeper issue was my injured sense of worthiness. I did not feel like I deserved to spend so much money on myself. My husband was persistent, but kind with his urgings to find a therapist. Finally, I began to see his perspective: that my wellbeing was the number one priority at that time, and we would find a way to make the budget work. <strong> And that therapy helped me blossom into a strong, empowered woman who no longer feels ruled by my traumatic past. </strong></p>
<p>When a friend of mine called me in tears about a recent sexual assault, I told her how much therapy can help, even if you are not sure if your trauma is “severe enough” to warrant professional support. But at the same time, I had to keep my advice in check because I love to rush into “fixing mode” whenever a friend needs a listening ear for their problems. My gut reaction is to offer advice, and lots of it. Underneath this desire is my own discomfort with my friend being in pain. If I can just offer enough solutions and fix my friend lickety-split, then, voila, my own discomfort goes away! </p>
<p>Other people go straight to revenge mode (“I’m going to get back at the person who hurt you!”), drowning your sorrows mode (“let’s drink away all this pain”), or dismissive mode (“something like that happened to me. It’s not a big deal”). </p>
<p>When we can breathe deeply and avoid getting carried away by our knee-jerk reactions, we can listen quietly and validate our friend’s emotions. <strong>We can truly be of service by holding space, staying grounded, and asking our friend how we can help. </strong></p>
<p>Once we have helped our friend feel supported and heard, then it is time to do our own processing. Rape crisis lines are not just for victims; calling can also help a friend or family member who is processing difficult emotions around their loved one’s experience. </p>
<p>I have called the National Sexual Assault Hotline in the US, and I am grateful for the support I received when I was in crisis. So it seems fitting to include information on how to call: </p>
<p>When you cal<strong>l 800.656.HOPE (4673),</strong> you’ll be routed to a local RAINN affiliate organization based on the first six digits of your phone number or your zip code. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">You, my loving readers, are the brave people who are making a more compassionate world. Please share this information so we can help more people on the path of feeling healed and whole.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/54822482018-10-23T09:49:58-06:002021-09-27T15:11:21-06:00Sunlight Peeking Through the Trees<p>When I began therapy for my childhood trauma, I felt myself descending into the dark forest of memory. Frightening recollections lurked behind the trees, ready to overtake me. </p>
<p>I wanted to get through it all as quickly as possible, so I scheduled as many therapy sessions as I could afford each month. I spent every evening working on my trauma, trying to shake it out of my body. I desperately tried to revisit every painful memory, believing that I could only feel happy when I was 100% healed. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I fell into a classic ego trap of placing my happiness in the future. </span></p>
<p>Paradoxically, my belief that I needed to heal every dark corner before I could achieve happiness kept me trapped. My dark night of the soul lasted four years, with anxiety, flashbacks and panic overwhelming me every night. </p>
<p>I was only able to emerge from the dark forest when I accepted that healing is an ongoing process, and I did not need to wait for the mythical day when I would be completely healed. <span class="font_large"> Now I see what I was missing: we can cultivate moments of joy even when we are going through life’s dark and painful phases. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://flic.kr/p/Ar1qj8" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/a42d0cfb8149a0516c56e6579254334945b8fde0/original/sunlight-through-trees.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></span></p>
<p>In other words, when we are navigating the tangled forest, it is easy to get focused on our fear and pain. <span class="font_large">But we can train ourselves to look up, to see the rays of sunlight peeking through the trees. </span></p>
<p>In creating “Sunlight for Survivors,” my intention is to remind everyone to look up more often, to notice the light, nourishment, and love that surround us. </p>
<p>By definition, life must include the darkness and the light, the pain and the beauty. But it doesn’t mean we need to live our lives focused only on the pain. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Look up. Find your light. Let it in.</span></p>Sara Giita Florestag:saragiita.com,2005:Post/54721972018-10-16T12:28:53-06:002018-10-18T13:12:46-06:00Bringing our Voices into the Light<p>I still have my voice. We still have our voices. We still have our courage. </p>
<p>Not everyone is listening, not everyone is ready to face their own discomfort that comes along with BELIEVING SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. Many in power prefer to cling to the old, dysfunctional ways. But they cannot take away our voices. <strong>We will not be silenced.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Today I use my voice to speak my truth. I was sexually assaulted at age five by my kindergarten friend's dad. I was assaulted again at age 15 by young man. And after these traumas, I felt like I would never be good enough, never feel safe, never feel whole inside. I believed I was bad, unworthy of happiness. Yet I learned to love myself, little by little. Through therapy and yoga and healing I learned that I am not inadequate and weak. I learned to turn my pain into a source of strength. I learned to trust myself, honor myself, and love myself above ALL outside voices. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And that includes the voices of people in power who choose to discount and disbelieve the experiences of my sisters and brothers who are survivors of sexual violence.<strong> In the long game, those voices of dysfunctional dismissal will be dissolved by our truth</strong>. We are joining hands. We are discovering our power. And we are raising our voices.</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamsjung/5836430369/in/photolist-9TKepP-MDbnxK-7D8N5w-ncXv2V-5PnBpk-9fEvxR-U6WNyc-5CLuKT-RsYMda-LRnbCc-nBKiSz-S47kvM-8cxKmG-HaAT4-fe4XdS-9fM9uk-7i2HWv-68iYnW-cjWKmd-3CnNz-61eteJ-66XCKg-UiBs7M-jy58DE-9sy67t-fkqU5B-293muKA-jZwT52-6Kvbeb-nK884r-58ijVf-27Zn615-aSKJL8-8ZwzPb-87NPQ6-93ehqR-Vo45So-74rXD1-9LJmCv-dfTAQ3-m13254-86Np2A-EzSp3u-Wt3zB7-q7meYB-VUN4Rq-hdGMsr-nePtEX-e5wpvG-dseQZ5" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/282490/e66c33b86c0fd819294434de932e5b7944fb41b3/original/voice.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Even when it seems like no one is listening, our voices matter.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">What way do you feel empowered to use your voice? By showing up at the polls on November 6th? By sharing your story with a trusted friend or a sexual assault hotline advocate? By writing in your journal? By setting boundaries for yourself and demanding respect? </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>For me, today, raising my voice means starting my blog, Sunlight for Survivors, and committing myself to writing a post every Tuesday for the next year. It means speaking my truth no matter what others may say.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>I value your voice. I believe you. And I believe IN you.</strong> So let your voice shine, in whatever way is calling you today. And if you feel like that way involves, leaving a comment, I would be honored to hear your honest thoughts.</p>Sara Giita Flores