I graduate next week, and plan to spend some time during solstice to be quiet and think about ways to put myself out there to continue my goals of bridging people. It has been an intense year of growth for me, and I am feeling ready for the next phase....

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to graduate, beyond the tangible piece of paper I will be given. To be honest, that in itself means little to me- that "degree" that says I put my time into an institution's program structure and did what they asked, and in return they say I am a college graduate. The 6 years I put into college after high school taught me a lot, but I didn't do it in the right format to get the piece of paper. My mother is relieved that I finally chose to return to school and get the diploma, yet she probably couldn't well articulate exactly what it is I have been learning. She is a teacher, and it is the diploma signifying an accomplishment to her that is valuable and gives me "credibility" which is important. I guess I do feel "accomplished", but not for the same reasons my mother would cite.

This summer I spent a lot of time observing others, and observing myself. Ever take the time to kind of "hover" above yourself and take in what is going on? It is an interesting perspective, especially for us overly analytical types. I saw my gifts, my strengths, and also my weaknesses and fears. Most of all, I saw that no matter what choices I make or how well I follow through, it is my overall intentions and motivation which matter the most.

I don't often know what the heck I am doing, that is for sure. But I do know that what I want, and how I want to get there, is of pure intention. Sure, I am as selfish as the next person, but within that selfish behavior is a desire to make life better for more than just myself. How? I am still figuring that out. I know it has something to do with creating space for people to come together, and being a bridge between people to connect them.

Had someone told me this 20 years ago when I was studying to be an accountant, I'd have said, "huh?!" I liked numbers...the answers were easy, or at least black and white, and numbers represented solid ideas to me that didn't need to be thought about too much. But I got bored. I envisioned myself as an accountant and the image made me ill. And it made me laugh.

What I see myself doing now is fuzzy, and there isn't one right way to connect people. There are a myriad of ways and possibilities, and often it is a matter of just seeing a potential connection in the moment, being in the right place at the right time, so to speak. But more than anything, it is about holding a loving intention to create the space for people, and then allowing the magic to unfold.

One of the main question themes in my travels and research this past year+ has been about how to inspire and motivate people to action. This still remains a puzzle to me, and I frequently have to remind myself that I don't need to have a specific formula, and there really isn't one anyway.

I see this Sphere as a place that holds potential. There is no solid, tangible plan- it is what we make of it. If we together hold an intention for the Sphere to be mutually beneficial, that in itself is the power. Take that intention and throw a little action into it- and then the magic comes into play. We just don't know what results may come from people sharing their knowledge here. Their dreams, their projects, their community celebrations and also their sorrows. But I can say that just having this place, having the stage set, that creates the possibilities, and that excites me beyond words.

So I hold this intention, and ask you to do the same. Take some time over solstice and see in your mind's eye what you might like to come from this space we have here. See what inspirations rise to the surface, and feel free to share.

I definitely don't have a set, ideal plan. But I do feel I am graduating from complete cluelessness about how to go about using my skills into at least having some confidence that I have some talents to use, and that if I continue to intend for positive outcomes, and envision the highest outcomes I can, then I do believe there is much that I can do, and that we can together accomplish.

So here's to my and your accomplishments over the past year! May your community continue to flourish in health and well being, may the Sphere evolve with solid intentions, may sustainable solutions be shared and embraced, and may we all continue to "Grad-U-Ma-Tate" to new levels of group consciousness.

With loving thoughts,
Susan