I never thought I would be happy that someone said to me, “You’re a good follow.”
I’ve spent most of my life priding myself on making alternative choices, voting for the underdog, and going against convention.
It started when I joined a modern dance company when I was 12 years old. Well, to be fair it probably began before that but it seems a good place to jump in for this article. Ballet and jazz were a foundational part of my training but contemporary dance was the focus. In fact, I studied modern dance at university (in addition to kinesiology).
Next, it was the decision to become a naturopathic doctor. I shared all about that story in this podcast. The western route wasn’t an option for my values.
Quirky outfits, funky handbags, and unique clunky jewelry are my jam.
We sent email invites to our wedding (gasp!) at which there were no speeches, no bouquet toss and we ate wedding pie instead of wedding cake.
I have never wanted to be a follower, and until recently I would have been offended if someone said that about me.
But yet, now, when I hear, “You’re a good follow,” my heart melts and I know I’ve done a good job.
“At what?” I can hear you asking. At being present.
Living in the movement. Rocking the now.
It happens when I salsa dance. Dance for me, particularly when performing, has always allowed me to drop into the present moment. In that sense, it’s very zen for me.
After leaving contemporary dance, I took the odd dance class – hip hop, belly dancing, whatever was happening close by.
A fellow I was dating was from Guatemala introduced me to salsa. For the first time in years, I was ready to commit to something. To be clear… I’m talking about salsa dancing – not the guy. 😉
I had never learned to follow in dance. And to continue that metaphor, in life I purposely, actively, consciously, as often as possible, chose NOT to follow. In dance, I learned choreography, like rehearsing lines.
But now, there was this guy telling me, without words, what to do, where to put my foot, what rhythm to keep, how to turn my body.
Success did not come early for me at that time. But I kept a curious, learners mind.
At one point an instructor in Toronto told me to stop back leading. Don’t worry if you don’t know what that means. I didn’t either. Essentially it’s when the “follow” in a partner dance tries to lead the dance. It certainly messes up the proper energy flow that is meant to exist between two dancing partners.
I protested, “But why does the man get to make all the decisions?” Another example of how I fought convention.
He replied, “Think of this like a conversation. The Lead is making a suggestion, and you’re responding.”
That changed everything for me. I started listening to my dance partner. To listen, I had to be present. Like REALLY in the moment. I had to enter the dance and leave any distractions on the sidelines.
My first salsa dance was 13 years ago. And now I often hear, “You’re a good follow.” And I know I’ve done a good job.
Here’s where this segues.
I learned that listening and responding in the present moment, is a space from which beautiful things can be created.
So I shifted it to other places in my life, particularly my morning meditations. Instead of choosing prerecorded audios for my relaxation time I chose silence and stillness. And I chose this so I could have a platform to listen, not to a dance partner, but to my inner guidance.
At first her voice was less than a whisper. Ssssspppspspsssspsps. More Silence. More Stillness. Her voice amplified. Psst. Look over here. Try this. Not that. Commit. Engage. Learn. Spend more time here. Leave that behind.
She got louder the more I paid attention. Over several years she became my main compass, showing me what was possible even if it seemed outside of what was normal for me. Like the dance, this was a silent conversation. She was making suggestions, and I was responding.
She boldly guided me to try on a new way of helping people.
You may have seen the following slogan on this very website or painted on the wall of my office:
Getting you healthy, happy, and doing what you love.
I used to see this as a linear progression. If I can help people get healthy, they’ll be happy, and they’re going to be more likely to do what they love. I believe that healthy, happy, people doing what they love contributes to world peace. That has been my not-so-secret selfish mission this entire time.
But throughout my years in practice, I realized that it’s not necessarily how it works. My inner voice pointed out that those three states (healthy, happy, and doing what you love) are more like a circle. And I’ve seen this countless number of times in my practice, where the patient makes a choice to do what they love FIRST and their health issues dissolve. Blink. Blink.
I have enough evidence to know that people can enter the circle at any of the points, and flow through them, like a beautifully led traveling turn.
I have credentials, tools, and strategies to get you healthy. I have a heart and a sense of humor that promotes happiness (although ultimately that is your choice).
And my inner dance partner has led me into a new modality that can teach you how to listen to your deep, intuitive wisdom. I must disclaim that this new spiritual development tool has nothing to do with naturopathic medicine or my practice as a naturopathic doctor. It’s completely separate. I’m posting this here, in case you feel it may benefit you.
I’m looking for spiritual seekers who have questions about why the things in their life are the way there are. I’m looking for people who are willing to look at what’s not working, take responsibility for it and make new choices.
This is not for everyone. This is spiritual work that (of course) that does not follow conventional dogma and religious information. It’s called SOUL TONIC and it’s all about identifying who you are at SOUL level, and clearing energetic blocks so you can fully access your divine gifts, universal energy and live an abundant and fulfilling life this go round. Ultimately this work is about helping you incorporate ACTIONABLE spiritual wisdom and guidance in your normal, everyday reality. Practical. Real. Guided.
If you’re already furrowing your brow and thinking, “What the fudge?” then skip it. It’s all good darling. As mentioned this ain’t for everybody.
You can find out more about it in this podcast or by clicking here.
To your healthy, thriving, delightful life,
