Naming the Stars in the Sky
This year has been a raft-glide on a river of events that has sometimes flowed broad and placid, with time to savor the passing view and to stop for playful picnics along the way.
Other times, it’s been a wild, white-water ride down rushing rapids, a swirl through sudden eddies, the occasional jarring collision with treacherous rocks.
The journey has been enriched by friends who are the raft that’s kept me afloat, the currents that carry me forward, the green banks that lend shape and momentum to the river of my life.
My friends are the sky overhead, and the stars that light my way.
They remind me always that I’m not alone, that each molecule of water in the river dances with every other molecule of earth and water and sky, of fish and galaxy, tree and croaking bullfrog.
It’s easy, when you’re an entrepreneur, to get snagged on the rocks of isolation. To feel that everything in your business rests on a raft of your own making, and relies on the power of your muscles and sweat and brain to get you where you need to go.
It’s easy to forget that there are so many invisible currents that carry you, buoy you up, help you become who you are. Take you to the places where your gifts can make a difference; to the people you are meant to serve.
Here is a very incomplete naming of the friends and colleagues who are among the stars that have lighted my way this year:
Havi Brooks. Brilliant business maven, blogging Pirate Queen, mensch, you can find her at FluentSelf.com, or on Twitter: @Havi. She’s the creator of the Kitchen Table, a virtual intentional community that is a remarkable crucible for growing people and their businesses. She’s my sister in the fine art of play, silliness and creating safety in the rapids of adventure. Havi’s been chief whitewater guide, raft-builder and river banks for me and my business this year. She’s been, in many ways, Polaris, the North Star.
Jen Louden. Writer whose work has inspired me for many years, midwife to the creative spirit in women, queen of the Comfort Café, a community for creative women to find support for becoming more fully who they are. She’s at ComfortQueen.com and @JenLouden on Twitter. She’s my truth-teller friend, a way-shower, with the far-seeing eyes of a river pilot. She’s wise, generous, kind. She’s Venus, shining on the winter horizon.
Pam Slim. EscapeFromCubicleNation.com and on Twitter: @PamSlim. Her book, Escape From Cubicle Nation, has called so many people out of the grey confines of corporate life and into the exhilarating river-ride of entrepreneurship. Through her blog, her book, her speaking appearances, and her presence, she inspires us to reach for our dreams. Each of my conversations with her this year has left the air around me clear as a bell. To me, Pam is Sirius, the star that shines at midnight on new year’s day–the spirit of possibility.
Mark Silver. HeartOfBusiness.com. On Twitter: @MarkHeartOfBiz. Mark is the sun that warms the river and my raft, and makes love visible. Sufi master healer, player of Ultimate Frisbee, shepherd of the heart-centered community forum The Business Oasis, and father of one-year-old twin boys, Mark’s work is about the seamless weaving of love into business.
Richard Miller of CalyxDesign.com. @RichardMiller on Twitter. Peerless web-artist, designer, man of heart, integrity and intuitive genius. He made me a home on the web that’s truly mine. He is Arcturus, the brightest star of springtime.
There are so many people who have inspired me this year. Chief among them are my clients, whom I admire so much for their courage and commitment to transformative work, to their creative process, to shaping their own lives and to contributing their gifts to the world. I cannot name you, because I honor your privacy, but you know who you are.
This post would never end, if I were to name all the stars in my firmament. Take a look at the people I follow on Twitter, to get some idea of whose light shines in my sky. @MicheleWoodward (LifeFrameWorks.com) @DesireeAdaway @Fabeku (SankofaSong.com) @WildHeartQueen @PattiDigh @victoriashmoria @copylicious @germinational @LuminousHeart @lauriefoley @gwenbell @MarissaBracke @sparkyfirepants @soniasimone and @gloreebe88, who inspired this post with hers.
. . . thank you, every one.
How about you? Whose light has illuminated your life this year?
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Yipee! This is so cool. And how did you know I love rivers? I am honored to be your friend, Hiro, and to have learned so much from you. YOUR WRITING is the best I read on the Internet. Period. And your ability to see into my soul is the best in the world!!! YEAH for meeting you in 2009!!!
Jennifer Louden´s last post … Choose Your Life Mondays – 2009’s Big Ding Dang Learning
Jen, thank you. Your work and your words always move me. I’m so grateful to have met you this year!
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
Thank you, Hiro.
This was the downside for me as well:
“This post would never end, if I were to name all the stars in my firmament…”, and yet how blessed and humbled I am to remember that we are not alone, and we become who we are only by the grace of everyone we meet.
Peace.
Gina Loree Marks´s last post … hitchhiking to oneness
Gina, you birthed such a tide of love and appreciation. Thank you.
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
What a completely inspiring list. You are my star too!
Thanks for the reminder of all the invisible currents out there.
Kisses to you!
Havi (but possibly blaming Selma)´s last post … Transition-ey stuff. The first.
Havi (and Selma!), there’s more music, color and joy in my world because of you. Thank you!
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
Thanks to YOU, my dear, wise, loving and kind friend for your ever-present support everywhere from the free-flowing connection of your spirit to your very down-to-earth retweeting of my work!
I am so glad that our paths crossed. This year has indeed been a wild river ride. Every time I talk with you, I feel calm AND expansive.
May you have a beautiful end to your year. I cannot wait to experience the gifts that you will share with the world in 2010!
Pamela Slim´s last post … How to choose a business to start
Thank you, dear Pam, for all your kind wishes. One of the highlights of my year was seeing that photo you posted of yourself at 23 (?), in mid-Capoeira-flight…and then getting to know you and discovering that that fierce freedom, power, clarity and soaring delight is really at the heart of you.
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
What a bright and sparkling group–and what an honor to be listed among them. I give a hearty “Hear, hear!” to everyone on this list. (And my heart gets all warm and glowy that I’ve been included.) Thank you for the glowy-ness and for the bright spot in my day!
Thank you, dear Marissa, for all you do to keep my raft afloat! Shine on…
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
It’s been so much fun being one of the stars in your sky, Hiro, and thank you for keeping me on course this year, away from all the meteors. And all bright and shiny-feeling.
Kelly, my wonderfully creative friend, I’m so grateful to know you. You make me laugh, and see things in new and different ways. Thank you!
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
Dear Hiro, thanks so much for including me in this list. What a fabulous group of absolutely awesome stars. I’m so glad to know you, and to call you my friend. Big hugs and lots of thanks.
Fabeku´s last post … The Songs That Saved My Life
I’m honored to know you, Music Man, and grateful that you share your healing gifts with us all. Thank you!
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
I’m so happy our paths…er…orbits have crossed. I’m continuously in awe of your wisdom and compassion, and I’m so grateful to be able to learn from you.
Love and hugs,
Victoria
Victoria Brouhard´s last post … Happy Birthday, Blog! (Or Taking the Step in Front of You)
Thank you, dear Victoria. I’m so grateful to be in the dance with you…
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
Seriously. I am so glad we met this year, and am delighted and honored to be among your stars. I’m looking forward to next year and much more learning and giggling with you!
Thank you for everything you’ve shared and taught. And thank you in advance for all the sharing and teaching to come. :)
Me too, Amna, my brilliantly funny friend…If your posse of goondas will let me near you, I look forward to lots more connection and laughter with you in the new year.
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky
Wouldn’t it be lovely, Hiro, to have all of these people in one room? Can you imagine the love, the energy, the creativity?
It’s been such a blessing to have met you and to count you among my stars. Thank you for your Hiro-ics, which is what I call your thought-provoking, beautifully written pieces. You enhance my life.
Until we meet in person,
Michele
Michele Woodward´s last post … Let’s Re-Cap
Michele, from your mouth to God’s ear…may we be together in person sometime in 2010.
Let’s cook up something irresistible, waft it out into the waiting world, and see which of the stars in the Milky Way swirls in for a nibble and a visit. :-)
Hiro Boga´s last post … Naming the Stars in the Sky