What's in a name tag?

This past summer I spent two magical months at the Mt Madonna Center - an intentional community in the Redwoods.
















During the last week of my program, my new family and I celebrated life and each other around a bonfire at the beach.

Filled with child-like joy and utter bliss we danced, sang, laughed and surrendered to the incredible love around us.


One member brought name tags for each of us and names were given. For this story only a few will be shared…

Ms. Rich, Anne Who Knows the Answers, Ms Punani (who..please note...was not aware of the meaning until after) and my tag, Ms Divine.

When creating the names energy was focused on what we were longing for....financial stability...wisdom...connection to our souls...and some good loving. Not too much thought was given...just one of many things happening that night.

Yet suddenly there was this slow motion movie moment. Overwhelmed by the passion... I paused...and observed these beautiful people...strangers mere months ago...now so connected and basking in love.

There they were...


Ms Rich...overflowing with the abundant love and joy around her...who always seemed to have an unlimited amount of love to give others...

Anne who knows the Answers...the youngest of the group, filled with curiosity yet clearly wise… naturally moving in sync with the rhythm of creation…

Ms Punani...watching her laugh and dance...clearly designed for love and pleasure... she embodies the goddess...(so much we understood her shedding of the tag in the bar later that night - ;) )

And then me...Ms Divine...someone who four years ago would have raised my eyebrows at that word alone...yet now clearly has surrendered to a life led by spirit.



You see? Those name tags were accurate. We already were...already are...all that we hope to be.

So often we are quick to put on name tags that highlight our challenges...things we don’t like about ourselves....or better yet...we let others name us. And more often than not those negative labels bring us down...or give us permission to behave in ways that don't serve us. Yet when it comes to claiming who we truly are...celebrating our essence...or even accepting the light others see in us...we hesitate. It's like I'm naturally wired to find tons of evidence to support negative thoughts about myself...yet totally uncomfortable building a case to support all that's wonderful. When really...the wonderful...is the reality for us all.

We are all rich...we are all wise...we already know all the answers...we are pleasurable, sexual, loving beings…we are all divine!

As the Hopi saying goes..."We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For".

There are still many days when I wake up and don't feel like Ms Divine. Yet on those days...I now know she's there...I can feel her...loving me, guiding me, just being with me...because she is part of me. I even write myself notes from Ms Divine at times - because honestly...I'm often more responsive to her encouragement (and errand requests!). In fact...she's the one who told me to write something...anything...tonight.

So that's the long story about why I'm both starting this blog...and why it's called what it is. I'm writing to honor all that I am, all that I'm experiencing, and all that I'm learning. I'm writing to honor the Ms Divine that is me. And I'm making it public because we can all learn from each other's journeys....I know I have. (plus...i'm more likely to do this than journal at this point!).

btw - If you feel like sharing...what's your name tag?