Lions & Lambs

March exists on a cusp, it rides the border between two distinct seasons, and seemingly, two distinct worlds. It’s no surprise we use the phrase “In like a lion, and out like a lamb!” to describe March. But I have always been fascinated by boundaries and transitions- what happens in between?

When I think about lions and lambs, I think about radical softness. In tarot, the strength card shows a woman tending to lion with a gentle hand. It’s easy to see this as a suggestion to move through life with ease, but what if we turned the whole idea on its head- what if we are both the lion and the lamb?

I am, by nature, quick tempered and sharp-tongued. Cut me off in the grocery line? Hex on your family. Forget to call me back? Cool, no problem, I’ll just manipulate you later into a deep and tearful apology. THIS, this is my lion. She’s fierce and defends her cubs until her dying day (in this case, her cubs are my fragile baby ego). She’s neither positive nor negative, she simply is. It’s how I tend to her that makes a difference.

And my lamb? Well, my lamb is found when I play. She is delicate, but is found in moment-to-moment joy. She is soft and vulnerable, and admits when she purchased something out of impulsive and not need (and, of course, forgives herself for buying that roomba…she didn’t need it of course). She laughs and revels in the joy of others. She sees the lion for who she is- one of many parts that make up my entire being. She knows the lion does not rule, and thus, treats her with kindness and love.

In like a lion, out like a lamb. When we see the lion, the fears and insecurities that may roar into force, call in the lamb. How can we use softness, vulnerability, and a playful spirit to cultivate radical joy? The lion has her place, but she cannot rule alone. When I enter as the lion, I must eventually call on my lamb.

As we await the return of spring, in all of it's orange poppy-hued glory, let’s pause and hold space for softness. Let’s use March as a time for tending to our lions, for treating them with the love they deserve. They are, after all, just one of many parts that make up the beautiful ecosystem residing in all of us.

Leaning in to Love

In essence, Valentine’s Day is a day of love. While historically, February 14th has commemorated decapitated martyrs and the mating of birds (seriously, look it up!), it has been known in contemporary times as the day of lovers. But what does it mean to be a lover really?

To be a lover is to be one who displays affection. To be a devotee. An affectionate or benevolent friend. A sexual partner. A person who has shown warm and gentle affection.

All in all, a lover is someone in love.

Now, you’re probably thinking Duh, Alex. We already knew that. But I would argue that we fall in love everyday. We fall in love with friends, with landscapes, tea, and laugher. We fall in love with a new song, a flower…but most importantly, we fall in love with ourselves.

This Valentine’s Day, I want you to fall truly, madly, and deeply in love with yourself. I’m not talking about insta-worthy “self love”, I’m talking about head-over-heels IN LOVE. So I ask you, how can we be our own lovers this weekend? How can we show up for ourselves in our times of need?

When I was six years old and needed to be seen, I unknowingly turned to the most reliable source I knew- myself. 30 years later I turn to this lesson everyday.

How can I show up for myself? How can I shower myself in the love that I need? When I am feeling unworthy, how can I lean into love, instead of leaning into toxicity?

This weekend, all of our classes are designed to help you lean into and turn towards love. Turn towards laughter. Towards joy. Turn towards silliness, or beauty, or empowerment.

But most importantly, turn towards yourself everyday and say I LOVE YOU.