0:37

Welcome back friends. I am so excited to give you the second half of the conversation with dear like Leah Peg regarding circles and what they are and what the powerful community tools they. Are. So we will dive right back in and if you miss the first half, you might wanna scroll back an episode to listen first, because it's really delicious to have it all in context. I think especially as women, it's really important to step into relating in that way. I have daughters and so I see it happen more with them than with my sons. Especially in middle school and high school, you know. There's this thing where the girls start, you know, talking and, and, and having cliques. And it's this whole dynamic that I think we're still trying to get to the root of, right? Like, why did this start happening? You know? Yeah. But if we can be in spaces and show up differently, then it's, it's showing what can be possible. And the more of us that can continue to do that, the ripple effect will happen. And I, I hope and pray that over time, you know, if not my daughters and their daughters or their granddaughters at some point, right, this sister wound. This innate mistrust, we feel, you know, we're in spaces with other women may soften, or, you know, ideally completely go away. Because how beautiful would it be if we can be in spaces and community and just, just trust that it's gonna be held in love? Because we're all doing our best, right? Mm-hmm. We all have our stuff. No one here is perfect though. The social media world we live in tries to get us to feel like we have to present in that way. I've found even as a facilitator, case in point, one of the most recent circles I sat and I really let some of my personal stuff like, aah, just like come out. 'cause it needed to be held and it was beautiful to be received by sisterhood. Like, we don't have to put pressure on ourselves. It doesn't matter what you do for a living or, or you know, how you feel called to show up in the world. It's like we all have our stuff, right? Yes. And so it's the remembrance of that. Like we're in this together and this can be hard, but if we have people to lean on, it's the giving and receiving you spoke to at the beginning, right? Like that's the beauty of a friendship. That's the beauty of community or a sisterhood is like when I don't have it, like, can you hold me and vice versa? And can we lift and can we support and it's really beautiful. I mean, support, ugh. Oh my gosh. To be able to like have that safe landing place, right? Like it's almost like I just feel like our inner children are like, 'I just need to be held and loved on and told it's okay'. And I think that's what these spaces can offer. You know? I don't think you understand what you just did for me. Last week, I got the inspiration to just choose an emotion that I wanna feel for the whole week and just wanna build on it and build on it. And then on Monday this week, I chose another word to build on it, and the word was support. I wanna feel supported, I wanna feel supported and my home, and by nature, and by my family, and by my community. And there you go with this beautiful soliloquy, so to speak. On support. And I didn't even put two and two together when I, when that word was just given to me. And, um, I even like drew a symbol that represented support and I drew it and I doodled it and I doodled it in the air on my screen before this, recording. And I just doodled it everywhere because, and you know, even on my blank plate, I just imagining I'm drawing it on my plate. 'cause I just wanna feel supported by the food that I eat and the air that I breathe and I, mm-hmm. Because when a man, a woman, a human feels supported, they're capable of so much greatness. When you are supporting a, a circle of women. Setting up a space for them to support each other, I don't care what gender we're referring to, but the feminine, the masculine energy in all of us. When we are creating a space that facilitates everybody supporting each other, then we're gonna get better at supporting ourselves. Hmm. And we're gonna model it for these kids to do it because every time we do work on ourselves, it benefits those that we influence. Right? And kudos to you for raising up people, raising up leaders, supporting leaders to, you know, these are the ripple effects and that's how I picture love. Hmm. And I just wanna, you know, kind of give you some flowers for a moment because I'm deeply inspired by the way that you, um, just hold life with intentionality. Like, so the way you're doing those symbols and then you shared some other practices you have before where you're like, I wanna be like in relationship with life, but I'm gonna like take this action towards my part of this, you know. This relationship. And so it's really beautiful to see. So, um, I'm, you know, certainly interested and look forward to touching base in the future on how this word support continues to show up for you, right? Because you are like really holding it with intention. And I, and I love that and I think everything you spoke so beautifully, you know, it is spot on. I feel if we were meant to be on this earthly journey alone, doing it all by ourselves, then we would be on the planet alone. We're not right. We have all of these beautiful humans and animals and you know, beings that we have the opportunity and invitation to exist with and to exchange with and to relate to, and, and, learn from and, and be inspired by, right? Mm-hmm. Um, but we again are, you know, conditioned, you know, to, to feel like we've gotta be off in our silos, right? You know, we're, we're in our homes. We're not. Actively living in communities and villages and tribes like we used to. And so, you know, and especially with the rise of the digital age, I mean, there's beautiful ways to have community online, but still it's different than when you're like in person. Um, but we thrive as, as, as humans and community, like, you know, as mammals. Like we thrive in community spaces to be able to like lean in and work together. And so. I really love seeing the reclamation of this, um, on the planet. I think, I think people are starting to feel the shift of like, oh, wait a minute, like this isn't quite sustainable. Like, we need to come back into communion with each other, and with the earth and with the elements and, um, and see what life can look like if, if we start showing up and existing from that place./ I was with you a hundred percent, but yet my little human brain was reminiscing over many times where I could feel the difference between a circle, like set up and a knot. Mm-hmm. And, I, I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm a former public school music teacher. I specifically remember as a student. A totally different feeling when I'd walk into a room and the tables, the desks, were in a grid facing the chalkboard, you know, and I always found it weird when the teacher's desk was behind us, if they taught from their desk, I felt like they were watching, looking over my shoulder. And, and to me that was unrest. And then there were the teachers that would circle us up, like the language teachers and. Very rarely a math teacher. 'cause you know you need the chalkboard where everybody could see, but. The vibration that I was not identifying with, but my body was walking into a room, I felt held and safe when there was that, that roundness where there wasn't the head of the table. Like when I go out to dinner, if I'm in a group, I'm always sad that I can't hear people at the other end of the table. I love the rare opportunity where you're around a circle table where you can see everybody on all sides. And, but, but coming back to the teaching, I loved, I loved my students. I love music. I taught because that's what I was told to do, not because what I was called to do, and I didn't know what else to do. So I did that with my heart and you know, and, in my best days, there were circles in my classroom. When we would break up and do small activities, they would be sitting in circles with each other, you know, four or five kids doing an activity and, creating and there's just so many beautiful things about not having that hierarchy, but also having the understanding that everybody has a turn and everybody has space and there's room for everybody's chair and, I think the more that we do it, the more instinctually our kids are gonna do it. I mean, you just look at nature. There's just a natural cooperation's, just a natural cooperation. And I feel the bird feeder, I've got at least a hundred birds that enjoy it, but they're not all fighting for it at once. You know, they're flying around and waiting for their turn and then coming in and, and they circle around it and it's just, it's so beautiful. And you do circles on the beach too, I hear. I moved here in the winter. I'm looking forward to some beach time too. Yes, yes. Get ready. I, you know, I personally, you know, my soul really resonates with the element of water. Okay. and then in diving into, so, you know, I've really just been having this call, you know, I lived here in my twenties, left, went to the mountains for a while, but I was still right near a river. But then I was called back to the ocean. And so I trust that. But then I found that actually in my. My lineage on my, on my father's side, my ancestors are from this place in Ireland that's known for the holy wells. And I felt that kind of just like, ah, like holy, like water connection personally. And so I just find it interesting when we can like, learn things about our lineage or about ourselves. We're like, oh, okay, that makes sense. Yeah, so most of what I do here at the beach, once it starts to warm up, is going to revolve around water. We're either by a river or we're out by the ocean or in the water surfing, so different things like that. Um, but yeah, so actually starting this month, all of the circles will be outside, of course, weather pending. But there's something about sitting on the sand and being held by the earth in that way with this massive body of water, serving as a sacred witness to what is happening in the circle that is just incredibly magical. And then the sky, like you're able to witness, you know, the sunset because I do the circles, the sisterhood circles inthe evening, it is just, oh my gosh, it is a whole experience. I'm really excited for you to be able to, you know, connect with that. And I also just really enjoy outside circles because I think, um, it allows people, especially with the first, if it's their first circle, their nervous system settles a little more quickly, the body relaxes, you know, and grounds a little more quickly. And so then they soften into, wanting to share and engage, maybe without as much hesitation. Mm-hmm. And when we're like surrounded by walls and, you know metal chairs, right? Mm-hmm. So there's something about being outside again, I think it's just connecting back to that ancient remembering that, you know, we are nature and so we can be out in it. We're not only in circle with the sisters there, but we're in circle with everything around us. Something about sitting on the sand. Can you speak to somebody who's listening, who's really, really not into these practices and might not understand the genius behind intentional grounding and what it is. Could you just speak to that Yeah. So for me, it, and there's an incredible, movie that can be watched called Earthing that kind of talks about, the way that we ground, you know, when there's electricity and, and buildings where they, they ground things into the actual earth to help so, you know, support that frequency, right? And so if, if we are energy and we have, you know, these vibrations and you know, this electromagnetic system within us. When we connect to the earth intentionally, we're being met by that. Right? the physical sensations you'll experience as like a calming of the body. A slow and steadiness to the breath, and you just feel almost as if you are just kind of being pulled slightly towards the earth, right? So it's almost like for me, the experience of. When we're living in a really fast-paced world, it's almost like our energy and our awareness is pulled upward towards our minds, right? And so we're existing from this place that is actually outside of our body up into like the mental sphere. And when we sit on the earth in any way, or just walk barefoot, we're like instantly. Anchored. Mm-hmm. Down towards the earthly experience. Mm-hmm. And so for something like a community circle, it can be really important to be anchored into what is actually existing here now in this present moment. You know, the earth is a beautiful gift that we have right here with us all the. To be able to do that. Um, and I think people will notice, that when we're outside, we tend to feel better. Yeah. You know, we tend to feel better. And so it's really as simple as that is, it's a way to just feel better. Yeah. It is. And, and based on what you just shared, you know, feeling more, um, grounded, connected to the earth and steadier, you're being supported. Yes. That word support again. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. And, it's hard to fall down when you're grounded. You know, you don't lose your balance when you're grounded, you know? And when we're all up in our heads and worried about other things, it's easy to forget your body and by using your body to reconnect with the earth, it sounds like. We're just saying the same thing two different ways. Well, I love that. And I think a visual of that could be if you, if you picture a tree, right? Yeah. Like trees that are deeply rooted into the earth. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. They can grow as high as they wanna grow and sustain the storms. For the most part, they're gonna sway in that chaotic wind. They're gonna sway, they're gonna bend, but their roots are deep. Yes. Yes. Held by the Earth, right? Yeah. Yeah. And so that's kind of what I picture when I picture grounding is like how these trees are underneath with their roots. And what's even more beautiful is that not only are they rooted, but then their roots are like intertwining and they're connecting, you know, with different things underneath the ground. And so again, it's this community, it's existing, you know, underneath, you know, I love that. The floor. Yeah. Yes. I, I use this phrase a lot roots before branches. Ah, I love that. Yes, exactly. And if the roots are the community members all working in cooperation, that makes such a beautiful, strong tree that can spread and bloom and offer shade and. Ooh. Love that. Yes, I'm here for all the trees, all, all the, all the tree visualizations we can do. I'm here for, yeah. And if you're a hugger like me sitting under a tree, you are being hugged because it's supporting you from underneath With its roots, you can lean against its trunk and its branches can offer you shade. So you are literally surrounding yourself when you're sitting underneath a tray. Hmm. I love a good tree hug. We're definitely a tree hugging family here. That's gorgeous. Leah, is there anything that you wanted to share with our audience, before I ask you my final question?/ I think just to invite anyone listening. To lean in and get curious about what intentional community could look like. Maybe for you as a listener. It's not a sister circle, but maybe it's a coffee date with some dear friends where you feel like you can just be held in non-judgment. Maybe it's, you know, a phone call with your, you know, grandmother or grandfather who really just gets you and, and offers that safe landing space. Or maybe if life's really heavy, it's leaning into more professional support, a way that you can, can share what's going on in your mind and in your heart, because this human experience can be really intense. Sometimes we can feel alone, but we truly, truly are not alone, and we don't have to do it alone. So just getting curious about what that could look like for you. And I would say if anyone listening truly feels like they can't figure it out, like please reach out to one of us. And I think between the two of us, we will help. You know, there are. So many ways, so many incredibly creative ways that people are showing up for each other on this planet, that I can say with confidence that I think every person listening could find something that that resonates for them. Because community and looking other humans in the eyes, like even at the store, you know, it'd be like a small invitation, like when women, specifically when I'm working with this sister wound that we talked about earlier, like this, like innate mistrust or like this like hesitation to really lean in and, you know, "can I be in relationships with women?" And, and, and, and have it be held in non-judgment. People always ask me like, well, how do I start? And I'm like, one conversation at a time. You know, one Eye contact at a time. They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. And I believe that like when you look in someone's eyes while you're speaking to them, like the truth is shown. Yeah. And it offers us this connection to, you know, our humanity and this shared existence that we have. So I would say get curious and lean in. That would probably be how I would like to, to put the bow, the package of the conversation. Wisdom. Mic drop right there. That's gorgeous. That is so gorgeous. And just because I can't help myself, I have to ask you my, one of my favorite questions. So, Leah, if picturing love is connecting with the love in your heart and looking or projecting it out in the world, and your actions, thoughts, energies, activities, work, what, how do you picture love? What I'm picturing as I kind feel into this question, my. The beauty of wind, right? Like when wind like blows through so many things and you can't see it necessarily, but it's touching you, you feel it on your skin, you watch it move the sand, it's rippling the water, the the leaves on the trees are swaying. It's, it's there and it's touching all things. that to me is what love feels like and looks like. It is this frequency that moves through all of us, exists within all of us. And when we give it permission to move from like the depths of our heart, like, ah, like out into the world, it touches all things. Yeah. So I think to me that's love. And I have chills, so I'm gonna probably like, I'll probably close it up. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being the space that I needed to find. And thank you for the spaces that you're helping other people create and thank you for sharing a little piece of my space today. Thank you so much for the opportunity. It is just such an honor to know you. I'm so glad our paths have crossed and I'm excited to deepen into sisterhood with you and just honoring and celebrating you for this space and giving people, a glimpse into your own heart space and then giving permission and opportunity and space for others to come on and, and share from the depths of our heart. So thank you. Thank you, thank you. It was just such an honor. Thank you.

Kris LeDonne 20:19

Well, there you have it. Friends, thank you so much for being here for this conversation. I hope it filled your cup as much as it did mine. And if you would like to follow up by learning more about Leah's offerings or contacting her directly, please check the show notes for Picture Love podcast and I will make sure that you can find the links there.