Dear Community,

(This is a long share)

These are tender times for so many. With the recent fires and other natural and human disasters, I think we are all left feeling a bit uncertain and vulnerable. Some have lost literally everything.

Most of us, myself included, have no idea how it feels to lose everything, or what it feels like to lose a dear beloved one to a tragic shooting, or to be separated from your child, or to feel first hand the ongoing struggles with systemic racism or classism... and the list goes on… and my heart goes out to anyone currently experiencing any kind of trauma.

What I do know is that most humans, if not all, experience their share of suffering. I know that many feel afraid in these uncertain times. I know that the willingness to feel my own pain helps me to tune in and feel more compassion for other humans who are suffering, and that sharing my stories with trusted friends, lovers and therapists helps to release their illusory grip on me.

What I also know, is that I am resilient, that the human spirit is resilient, and that even a small spark of hope goes a long way when we are healing through the pain. I know that the undivided presence and attention and love and care from another human is pure medicine, and that tears are a healing balm. I know that listening to the heartbeat of the natural world can attune us to our inherent wholeness and align us with our truest nature. I know that doing ritual and singing in sacred circles of women uplifts the spirit and opens the heart to receiving the support we need. I know that the safety net of community is there for us if we make the courageous choice to reach out and lean in. I know that one of the greatest gifts we can give is to offer an extended hand to someone in need.

I also know that there is a big shift happening on our planet. That there is a great unraveling of the world as we know it. Our systems and structures as we’ve known them are shifting, and our living, breathing mama earth is in flux. Simultaneously there is a great awakening taking place, or as Joanna Macy puts it, there is a "great turning" in motion. There is an activation of people on the planet who are devoted to creating ecological sustainability, human justice and global healing. We each have the opportunity and the choice to create the changes we know are needed in order to be part of the solution.

Joanna talks about how the dichotomy of these two forces in motion creates a great deal of uncertainty, and that one of the greatest gifs of uncertainty is PRESENCE. This statement holds true for me when I think of all the times I have been in some sort of panic or spin. What usually brings me back into balance is getting present with my breath, with my body, with the earth, with the other humans who are in my vicinity.

One evening after listening to one of Joanna’s talks from a Bioneers Conference, I lied down to sleep, deep in the depths of feeling, and literally asked the Universe, God, Spirit, Creator for a song to come through, and moments later, this is the song that dropped into my field.

I was going to wait to release it until after I create a professional recording of it with Todd Boston this Winter, because it really is that special to me. But in light of all of the tragedy and grief that is occurring, the song wants to be released now, as it is, in the raw, rough from my garage band.

True to Heather form, this song highlights a spark of hope for our planet and for our human race. It is a beautiful melding of grief, tenderness, pain, hope, joy and inspiration. May we each continue

"Tending the Spark" of hope within.

Please remember to "like and share" on Soundcloud, and please email me back with your thoughts. I love hearing from you.

You can get your tickets HERE

All my love,

Heather