Scottie Thompson Instagram – 1. Reflections on the year of the Butterfly. Or, How I Found My Wings. To choose where to Alight.
2. How it started. Yes, this is an audition, but sums up the first half of my year. That old dark night of the soul, when my depression hit rock bottom (a thing I struggle with, that was augmented by extra elements about which I’ll just say my heart goes out to all women, ever).
3. I started a quest. I moved to Paris to shake it up, find new routines – and wonderful community – and circle back to old passions in order to turn new pages. Case in point: re-finding F Scott Fitzgerald’s daughter Scottie’s book amidst thousands of first editions at my favorite Shakespeare and Co, and answer the mystery of a long lost poem reminding me that “nothing will ever fade,” most of all love.
4. I started to find my Groove with the help of fabulous friends…
5. …Who showed me I don’t always have to Lead. But resistance is a funny thing.
6. Stumbled upon an Existential crisis from too much flitting about, that culminated in a literal stumble down 20 cement stairs in the Paris metro, a near-death experience that still didn’t wake me up, but the theft at the entrance to the Marlin hotel in Dublin (never stay there) and the thankful kindness of soul-connected strangers finally enlightened me as to higher forces at play.
7. I finally learned Surrender, reconnecting first to my roots at home and then discovering stronger soul roots, deep within the Amazon jungle, where earth warriors showed me grounding greater forces into this precious Mother Earth is the true existential vitality, worth protecting.
8. I learned to sit. And channel my storied adventures. With the help of fellow writers, many walks and too much Tuscan wine, I came to comprehend the mantra of Nana Buluku, Afro-Brazilian orisha, She Rests to Create.
9. I returned, to a welcoming home and uplifting community, with a new perspective. An appreciation for all the joy that surrounds me every day, and the seed and seat of my soul, within. Crazy how far I had to go to find my self (ending the year with a flu to ground me, mostly). And so I BE, a constant discovery.
10. Le fin. Merci. We made it. Cheers, to quite a year. | Posted on 01/Jan/2024 04:03:49
