Walking Away to Walk Toward

In my childhood and even as a young adult, I didn’t feel much autonomy over finding my own personal meaning. At the start, I had teachers telling me what I should learn. I had consumer culture telling me what I should wear to fit in and be liked by others. I went to college because that’s what you did after high school and majored in business because I was told it would give me a great job in the future. The choices I made around my life were heavily influenced by society, until I became a mother for the second time and decided to stay home with her.

This is the picture I took, pulling out of the school’s parking lot for the last time. My teaching materials are in the back and me sporting a thumbs up to life. I knew, driving home that day, that something had shifted inside me.

What brings meaning to someone's life is varied. Can it be done while working full-time or spending 24/7 surrounded by children? Is it selfish to search for personal meaning, or is it essential to living a full, connected life? I didn’t dive into these questions right away, I was too busy chasing a toddler. But I did start to notice the feelings of loneliness and boredom that I think many moms experience. This contrast with what I wanted as a mother was the seed of an idea that created Forest Collective and became the foundation of Nature Song. This was the start of my intentional focusing on creating a life for myself and inviting others to join me in this intentional process.

Now I sit here, pondering these questions in my weekly Authentic Action Circles, where a group of us comes together to reflect on our lives and our choices. I’ve been meeting in this way for over a year now, and it has become a space of deep connection and transformation. Cassi, who was one of the foundational supports in starting Nature Song, is an incredible facilitator who holds this space with wisdom and care. This seed of an idea has come full circle, as we are now co-collaborating to bring both of our broader visions to life.

She is opening circles to a wider range of individuals, creating a place where people can gather online to share their dreams and take meaningful steps forward. Joining a circle with Cassi means building trust and strong relationships, which naturally lead to meeting at Nature Song’s in-person gatherings and becoming part of the collective community for those living in Anchorage.

If you've been thinking of joining one of the Nature Song pods or would love an opportunity to meet amazing humans who share a similar interest living in Anchorage please reach out to us!

Here are a few resources to learn more:

Generation Circle
Authentic Action Facebook Page