[be well] fire

We're finally here. My favorite element of them all – fire. And before you say it's just because I am a fire sign (Sagittarius through and through over here), let me tell you about the duality of fire. Fire is used to bring some of the toughest metals to their most fluid form. Fire can destroy, create, eliminate, and cultivate. It is an element often associated with drive, boldness, and rage. For me, it's always been an element that felt fitting because it holds dualities as one.

We paired fire with our wellness pillar which this week was purpose and spirit. We selected three panelists who embodied boldness and walk through life with what can be observed as a strong compass of purpose. These panelists are also space-makers who have carved their own space and then turned around and created spaces where others can come and explore their gifts and grow.

When speaking of purpose, we focused less on the idea of a "life purpose" or "greater meaning" and sat with purpose as a way of living, an embracing of our access to life and centering the act of living as our purpose. If living is our purpose, then maybe how we enter spaces, cultivate relationships, and make others feel is how we claim and embody our purpose. To access this state of being, we drew back from our previous two weeks. To live in purpose, one must know what they are grounded in. To be grounded, one must be aware and in sync with their emotions. So, once we sit with these two pillars, purpose in spirit naturally springs forth as our third.

Chef Greg Collier, founder and owner of Uptown Yolk, Leah & Louise, and 3rd and Fernwood, shared with us how his purpose has shifted through time and how each experience that has brought him closer to himself has brought him closer to his purpose. He shared that after running to Arizona to find himself, he realized he had known himself all along. He shared that he realized that "when you run from yourself, you run from your power." When you stand in your power, then you can share that space and purpose with others."

DJ Fannie Mae shared about their realization at a young age that their purpose was in connection and space-making and that they needed to break norms to do that. They shared, "I come in raising hell wherever I go until I choose to sit down." They have done that and more both on a local and a national level with their Sainted Trap Choir and their DJing and event curation. Fannie shared about the duality of sitting in your purpose while also advocating for yourself and those around you. Sharing the ways that they use their voice, power, and skills to open safe spaces focused on authenticity and love above all.

Artist, educator, and just overall icon Carla Aaron-Lopez shared about how they have stumbled through their purpose throughout their life. They came from a household where children were to be seen and not heard, where they had a role to play, a role Carla did not subscribe to. They shared how for much of their life they felt like they were just floating through life acquiring skills, and it was not until they created boldly through their curation and project "Local Street" that they found their role. They spoke of the importance of recognizing your own self and centering and creating on all levels from a rooted place of authenticity and integrity. By stepping into their own authenticity and integrity, they have stumbled into their purpose, which they described as: 'To make sure you have the things to get to where you're going, and then to also keep in mind because everything is a choice. If life is already shitty, I choose to not make it shitty or for you. Here's the act of kindness. I'll see you later. I'll roll out. 'Cause that gives me purpose. That makes me feel fulfilled.’

I am both giddy and sad to get to next week as it means we are winding down this series which has brought me so much joy but also I am ready to explore air and all the connection and space that comes with it.

See you all next week,

- M