Claiming ourselves in the wilderness

“She was Marilyn, she was Elvis, she was a forties bathing suit; she swooned, she swayed, she was the Mary Magdalene of the Electric Church.” - Michael Des Barres

The last few weeks were a reminder that the safest, softest, and strongest place we can ever reside is in deep alignment with our authentic selves.

And that’s the fun in this cosmic game, isn’t it?

Forgetting who we are, being confused about why we are here, doubting what we are capable of, staying too long in spaces that don’t welcome, recognize, or respect us, and all the while answering to names that aren’t ours.

Sometimes, people cross our paths, not with kindness or good intentions, but with friction, not to teach us a lesson but to remind us of who we are now, who we could be, and who we have always been.

“You mistook the garment I wore for my true self. And you did not recognize me.”

This was my favorite quote in a book about Mary Magdalene. I thought it might resonate, especially if we find ourselves in spaces where people are committed to mistaking and misunderstanding us or where we feel unfamiliar and unrecognizable.

What an incredible (and irritating) gift to not be known and to have the opportunity to claim ourselves.

I am closing 2023 feeling rested, healthy, grateful and not minding one bit whatever happens next.

Remember who you are.

Remember why you’re here.