I
breathe this memory into my bones: the beautiful blossom of morning light
reaching across train tracks, the touch of air on my skin, the steel beneath my
heels, the soul tribe friends guiding me along my path.
Photos by the wildly talented Misty Pittman . Roam and revel at http://mistypittman.com/collection/ .
***
Walking
in heels along tracks is a balancing act. There is the terrifying and thrilling
fear of falling, losing all composure and stumbling into gravel and unforgiving
rails. Dwelling in the fear of falling makes it only more plausible. The
security is in the present: an unwavering commitment to the NOW to guide my
steps.
I am
comforted by the presence of my friend, my kindergarten soul mate. She takes
graceful steps in lace up boots. The black lace of her dress flutters in the
breeze. Her serene aura ripples out and embraces.
I find
my breath. I find a gaze to guide and mindfully direct my steps. I am safe.
The
photographer captures the journey of my kindergarten soul mate and I traveling
down the tracks through her poised iPhone. I feel safe in front of the camera.
I trust the exquisite artistry of the photographer. She invites me to step in
and see pockets of missed beauty in our raw and metal surroundings. In the
fresh world of the morning, this industrial playground of breweries, train
tracks and abandoned cars is curiously enchanting. We see beauty in the weeds
growing beside discarded tires; in the street puddles left over from the
night’s rain; in the bleach white bones of cat who perished by the train track.
She is
an artist in full focus – angling the camera to catch a change in light,
directing with a few, concise cues. For once, my usual self-consciousness is
gone. Typically, I feel uncomfortable in the direct gaze of the unwavering lens
and these feelings of unease appear in the photo, much to my chagrin.
Today,
though, I am freed from the strains of insecurity. I don’t strive to be model
perfect. The wilder my hair is the better. Spontaneous dance sessions
celebrated. Carefree laughter welcomed. Heart-shaped sunglasses, Jeans, scuffed
boots and leather jacket complimented and praised. I let myself be seen because
I am in the presence of two people who see me and radically accept me.
Radical self-acceptance is part of
my soul work. The work always begins from within. The daily commitment to
practice compassion toward self and show up authentically in the world starts with wild permission to feel what I need to feel, process what I need to process,
and love myself through all of the lessons.
I am blessed to have people in my
life supporting me through the journey. These rare and treasured friends are my soul tribe. My soul tribe speaks the language of intuition and of the heart. My soul tribe
feels deeply, lives passionately and loves fiercely. The two
women walking beside me are my heart listeners: I turn to them when I’m in joy
and when I’m in pain. They hold space for all of expressions of me, and I hope
I hold space for them, too.
Looking
at the photos, I instantly feel a sense of belonging. We need each other on
this journey. We need a soul tribe, a community, a few friends who applaud us
along as we travel down uncertain roads, or bravely tackle train tracks in
heels.
