 In the musical 42nd Street, lyricist Al Dubin writes “Until you learn how to sing a new song, go into your dance…”.
I think it’s great advice as we all wait to see what will next unfold. While I have been finding new songs to sing this year, I have realised that I have not ‘pivoted’ with any particular grace. Instead, I feel as if I have pirouetted — and then some. *Pirouette: to whirl about on one’s toes 2020 has definitely kept me on my toes, so I decided to take time out to reflect on my many pirouettes and what I’ve learned along the way. I didn’t create 2,000 followers on social media; instead, in the first three months of lockdown I created a series of Facebook lives called “Coffee & Conversation with Simone: Your cup of calm”. During these lives, I told stories, channelled wisdom and extemporised on a wide range of topics for 30–45 minutes, five days a week for 90 days. And I realised it was never about the following, rather it was about being able to hold space and evoke calm for those seeking it. I watched from the wings, with no little degree of envy, friends and colleagues create fabulous home studios and garner virtual audiences and wondered why I didn’t try harder to do the same. Until I realised that my personal and professional stage was transforming into something greater than I could comprehend and that the essence of this transformation required deep reflection and…pausing. And that, as a conduit and catalyst for transformation, my message was also changing and it was time to honour what needed to be voiced, or not. Not a pivot, but a pirouette. I didn’t speak on any of the stages that were planned this year, but I did create and launch my first in-depth online course to great success and wonderful testimonials. And as an unexpected and delightful bonus, embraced the opportunity to share my creativity with those who needed my expertise — with the creation of upwards of forty short courses to date — and which have helped me focus and distill my creative talents in a very different arena. Not a pivot, but a pirouette. I haven’t been on social media much since my Facebook live extravaganza, not because I had nothing to say, but rather that there was too much. Too much that wanted to be said. Too much grief to be expressed and ultimately transmuted into wisdom and love. Too much rawness and reality. So much that was asking to be voiced, and which required a hibernation of sorts, a willingness to be present with all that was, the shedding of the old and embracing the new. Embracing the panoply of talents discovered, uncovered and owned. Not a pivot, but a pirouette. A pirouette requires your full commitment to the whirl. To the lift, flow and grace of what is. At first you will wobble — and that’s okay. And then, you: Ground your energy Shift your stance Activate your body Focus your vision Lift your spirit Release your intention and SPIN!
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 I admit it – I’m struggling to find my new ‘normal’… you see, I’ve never really understood or embraced the concept of 'the norm', so now that no one else is feeling like their old self, I guess I’m in good company.
And the new 'normal'…seriously, how short-sighted is that, to expect that we will be anything like we once were. There have been so many changes, shifts, reinventions and pirouettes. Deep dives, leaps of faith and oh! so much pivoting! We’ve been dancing on quicksand. Trying to find our footing – or at least something - anything - stable. To what end? So that we can do more of the same that we’ve done for millennia? Busy work for the sake of being busy? The stuff of mindless occupation. Today a colleague spoke of a deep dissatisfaction with the way things were. Of having little motivation, in spite of creative projects, possibilities and easing of restrictions. An almost overwhelming sense of ‘what’s the point’. The point is that we are being invited to be the change. Humanity is changing, at a deep heart and soul level. Our world-view, our priorities, our inter-connectedness with all living things, our deeper connection with mother earth and our sense of belonging is changing. WE are changing. And that is uncomfortable. And unfamiliar. And laced with fear. So I shared with my colleague some words that came to me in that moment, words that spoke to a deeper truth, a more profound wisdom for these times. And the words that came said: “Hold space for yourself – first and foremost – to rediscover all the pieces of yourself that are coming to light. That are lining up to unfold their brilliance and their wisdom. Allow them the air and the nourishment that they desire. Recognise that more is coming into play for you, not just in this moment, but in all future moments. You are unfurling your joy, your capacity for love and your innate and most profound potential. You are changing. Hold space for who you are now, and for who you are becoming.” And I thought to myself - That’s great advice. I’m going to do that. What about you? |
