Relighting the Creative Fire

A live class for mothers *tomorrow*

A few nights ago my daughter was up from midnight until 6 am. I’m still not entirely sure why, it was just one of those nights when the moon crept under our door like a lamp, haunting us all until sunrise.

Normally, after a night like this, I’d feel depressed the next day. The combination of no sleep and the worry that I must be doing something deeply, deeply wrong, would have sent me into a spiral.

But it didn’t happen this time….and I knew why.

After a full night awake in the cold blue dark—a kind of spiritual vigil that always tests the limits of my psyche—I had a fire to go warm myself by in the morning.

I had the creative projects I’m currently ignited by.

(Like this class, happening tomorrow).

I had the passion and purpose that have re-entered my life like sparklers.

I had my creative fire back, finally, after what has felt like years of a long cold night. And just for having this—this fire that is my own, this taper that highlights what is still glowing in me, what is alive and will never die—somehow I feel like I can survive any hardship (including a night awake in the cold hard moonlight)

Tomorrow I’m teaching a live class just for mamas called Relighting the Fire: An Experience in Creative Resurrection for Mothers

After thirteen years of teaching, this is the first time I’ll be offering a class just for mothers, and it has felt nourishing beyond measure.

I honestly can’t wait to sit around this virtual fire with other mamas. To share, to be seen, to embrace the comfort of being with others who know exactly what you’re moving through, and to collectively reignite our own sparks.

So if you want to take your shoes off and let your feet grow warm, to allow the flicker of flames to soothe your nervous system and bring you back home to your own light…come join me.

I’d love to gather with you tomorrow (or send you the replay so you can come sit beside the fire whenever the timing is right).

Because, I still feel the same bone-deep awe for mothers now as I did the day after I gave birth, thinking to myself in those fragile, joyful afterhours…

All this time, mothers have been this creative? This generative? This magnificently powerful?

Yes, they have.

And yes, you are.

P.S. I’m truly curious, especially among my fellow mothers and creatives here: What does your creativity look like in this particular season of your life? The creative journey always takes us to such unexpectedly deep places. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that, even if its caved in darkness, no path is the wrong path.

P.P.S. I filmed a quick video note to mothers everywhere the other day, and wanted to share it here with you here…

Moonlight image source