You Say You Want a Revolution...

A few weeks ago, ahead of my 60th birthday, I sent out a request for quotes about turning 60, and I promised to choose one to write a blog about. Congratulations to reader Gabrielle Lennon, who sent in the winning quote, and earned herself a free copy of my new book!

“You say you want a revolution, well, you know...sensational, sublime, spiritual, scrumptious, sacred, sexy sixty is a superb time to start -- inside and out.” 
Gabrielle Lennon, author of "Touch Me Real and Other Stories" and "After Midnight: A Book of Poetry."  www.lennonbooks.com / www.gabriellelennon.com

I happen to be navigating a number of big life-changes, simultaneously with turning 60, and it definitely feels to me like the energetic frequency of a personal revolution. I have made some significant choices recently to redirect myself, coupled with a deep desire to give exquisite attention to the qualities I most want to bring to the forefront of my life as I move into this next chapter. The qualities Gabrielle outlined are definitely on my list (well, I’ll admit I haven’t given much thought to ‘sexy’ just yet)!

I am not sure that approaching the age of 60 had much to do with my recent decisions, and I tend not to live by a clock - however, I do love to mark transitions in life. The culmination of so much change at once, all intersecting with turning 60 and the start of 2024, begs to be acknowledged in an intentionally sacred and ceremonious way.

Returning to the idea of a revolution - here is a relevant definition that I found online:

a big change (may be a sudden and great change), or improvement in the way that something works or looks, or in the way that people do a particular activity

We tend to think mostly of cultural or social revolutions, involving a large group, but how about a personal revolution? What could that look like, and what would warrant one?

Here are more lyrics from the Beatles’ song:

You say you want a revolution Well, you know We all want to change the world You tell me that it's evolution Well, you know We all want to change the world But when you talk about destruction Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be All right, all right, all right You say you got a real solution Well, you know We'd all love to see the plan You ask me for a contribution Well, you know We're doing what we can

What happens if you adjust these lyrics to apply to your own personal revolution, one in which you decide to create ‘a big change or improvement in the way that something [in your self or your life] works or looks, or in the way that [you] do a particular activity’?

I feel the frequency of REVOLUTION as powerful and full of intent. It may also have a quality of urgency, or the potency of steadfastness. There is an important goal, fueled by focused desire. Revolution feels big, and life-changing or world-changing. Does the power in this inspire you or terrify you? Or perhaps both? It’s been said that if there is no fear involved, you’re probably not stretching very far. Did you know that fear and excitement are nearly the same frequency? Perhaps if you see your fear as excitement in disguise, it will feel better.

I took some fun photos at the beach last weekend, with my kids. The wind was gusting at 40mph, the tail-end of a large storm-system, and my son Eric had an idea to play with the wind. He held his girlfriend’s cotton scarf over his head to catch the gusts, and leaned into the wind to see how far he could lean without falling, balancing his body weight with the force of the wind. Notice the lifted heels. We all tried it - it required strength, and it was really tricky to get it just right! When a gust came, if we didn’t dare to lean far enough forward, when the gust filled the scarf we were knocked over backwards. We knew we could step a leg out to stop a forward fall if needed, and that even if we did fall there would be a relatively soft landing on the sand. So it was all in good fun and play.

I like to imagine bringing this quality to the real challenges in life. To imagine ‘leaning in’ to my fear, summoning my inner strength and courage, and playing with the edges. How far can I lean in, reach out, or stretch the boundaries without losing my balance un-recoverably?

This is one thing in response to life’s inevitable, unavoidable challenges, but what would make me want to intentionally start a (personal) revolution? Leaning further than ever before would be a revolution in itself….but WHY would I initiate that level of discomfort? Because something isn’t working anymore. Because something isn’t serving me well, anymore. Because something has collapsed, or been destroyed. Because my desires have changed. Because I have new insights or inspiration, that I desire to test and develop. Because I’ve had a spiritual revelation. Because I am compelled to grow…because I want to be the best version of me, and because I wish to harness my gifts and serve in the best ways I can.

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan

This is the stage where it can shift into a real revolution - where a powerful commitment gets made and consecrated. Dreaming of change is a first step, but it can’t become a revolution without a commitment to a plan of action.

Is there any part of your life that is yearning for a revolution? Once I admit that I am ready and willing to revolutionize something in myself or my life, I focus on getting very specific about what it is that needs to change. I listen for solutions to arise, and then develop a plan of action. Depending on how I am feeling, sometimes I share my plan with people in my inner circle, and other times I keep it to myself, protected in the sacred space of my heart. Sometimes I need to engage outer support from friends or family, and other times I need to solo-dive quietly and privately into my inner chambers for a while, protected from other people’s opinions, projections or expectations. A revolution does not have to be noisy, flamboyant, dramatic - or even acknowledged by other people - to be revolutionary.

You may not be turning 60 with me this month, but if turning-points in the year help you set intentions and make commitments, how about leaning into the idea of starting a personal revolution of your own with the shift into the New Year, 2024? And,

if yours is the kind of revolution that would benefit from some outer support, I would be happy to assist. It’s my favorite way to serve, and the inspiration behind all of the Living Heart Sanctuary spaces I have created, now nestled in coastal southwest Florida. Lean in!

Happy Holidays :)