The Lessons Keep Coming

September brings its own unique blend of summery days and dark, rainy nights, demanding adaptability and a spirit of flexibility. The weather shifts call for nimble responses—moving the barbecue indoors, switching from a fleece to a sleeveless shirt. This month truly tests and strengthens our ability to practice both flexibility and equanimity.

After taking August off, I returned to work and discovered that the BC Business story I had been interviewed for several months prior had been published. Seeing myself presented as a financial advisor/hip hop dancer has been a surreal experience. The interview itself didn’t bother me, but when asked to participate in a photo and video shoot, my immediate response was a flat, “No”. It took considerable persuasion before I agreed to dress in my gear and dance hip hop by myself in a studio on Granville Street.

The entire process left me unnerved; I lost a lot of sleep over it. The depth of my discomfort surprised me—I felt frightened, ashamed, and physically anxious.

One night, I woke up from a restless sleep and the word “visibility” was flashing in my mind. This really gave me pause. I realized that, growing up, I was taught not to be a “show off,” to remain “under the radar,” and not to be “too big for my britches.” These messages were rooted in notions of safety: that a woman who draws too much attention to herself may be exposed to danger or assault, with the implication that the responsibility for any consequences is her own.

I share this story for several reasons. Above all, I am continually amazed by the complexity of our emotional landscapes. We are constantly evolving, and each new experience brings more lessons to learn. I am also in refection for myself about how much this long buried fear has played into my career and my life. How many times have I sabotaged myself, refused an opportunity or moved away from the limelight because of this unconscious, powerful fear?

And the most important question: am I wiling to examine this? Or do I just continue to play it safe?

This autumn we are offering 3 classes for those who are willing to push to new levels of success and wellness in their lives. Maybe continuing to play it safe is not going to get you where you want to go.

As always, the light is always more powerful than the dark and we are stronger together than apart.

Happy autumn!

Tracy