Back Story
I tend to treat my blog a bit like my diary and my life story … so feel free to read, browse, or pass by … Since my mission is Leaving a Legacy of knowledge, wisdom, experiences, and more … I cannot help myself but to leave my footprints … Here is more Back Story.
Thanks for continuing your journey with me.
Here's a little nutshell or snippet of Who I Am ......and maybe a little about how I arrived in this space and place in time.....right next to you on parallel paths that have intersected with perfect timing!
In this nutshell..I'm recognizing a pattern within my life adventures and they go something like this...
Creator,
Facilitator,
Writer,
Drummer,
Energy Worker,
Manifesting Generator,
Libra,
ENTJ,
Goddess,
Way-Shower and
Life Cycle Ceremonialist & Celebrant
so far!
My additional mission in life is to contribute to building a supportive community among women as we all journey together to find and express our soul's purpose and our life's work. To manifest my full creative ability using music, rhythm, ritual, and an open heart, I am committed to being a universal connector.
I believe in - One People for Peace, Purpose, and Passion - Living It, Loving It, and Passing It On!
Here’s a QUICK Summary of Experience, Certifications, and Current Life Work:
A Success Team Leader certified through the Barbara Sher Training Foundation.
A Certified & Trained HealthRHYTHMS Facilitator
A Reiki Practitioner & Vibrational Sound Practitioner & Energy-Worker
A Salonneire hosting a variety of women's event and workshops at my home and other intimate venues
Founder of The Wisdom Roundtable, The Women’s Well, The Women’s Ritual Hour, and ongoing empowerment gathering for women
Life Cycle Celebrant licensed and trained through the Celebrant Foundation & Institute in New Jersey.
A Former Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers, Career Coach, Employment Recruiter and Event Coordinator for The City of Jacksonville Beach and Blondes Drum 2.
Travel Summary & a short Bio: Raised in the military as a Navy dependent - roamed the West Coast of the U.S. mainly in California and New Mexico. A few formative years in Hawaii and then back to California until my father retired and his last tour of duty was Key West, Florida. From Valley Girl to Key West Conchette! In those areas, I learned and performed salsa, hula, ukulele, rhythm and the cultural beauty of love, ceremony, and ritual. I played with and/or listened to early musicians such as Jimmy Buffet, and The Junkanoos - a drum tribe, danced in FantasyFest parades, and embraced the artist community as a tour guide at my father's art gallery, The Guild Hall on Duval Street.
From 1965-1980's I lived in, married in, became a mother in, divorced in, and left, Key West. In Key West, I studied Self-Hypnosis, Astrology, Sociology, Psychology, NLP, and basic business practices at the local colleges.
80's Key West to Boca Raton -- lived, loved, married, birthed 2 more beautiful children. Employment took us to Puerto Rico and Haiti where the call of the hilltop voo-doo drums lingered into the night; and where chickens were are neighborhood pets and the streets were filled with dance ....until....off I went .. way up yonder in the paw paw patch in Atlanta, GA. This was way too country for this California Girl, but it took me 10 years to figure it out. A divorce sent me spinning back down to Florida and landed just over the State Line in Jacksonville, Florida.
90’s-2022, I lived in Jacksonville, Florida, which was longer than I have lived anywhere. Arrived here in 8/89 making it almost 34 years there. That is a record for me!
Jax was a healing space for me. A vortex of positive energy surrounded by the healing ocean tides and sea breezes. I felt at home; and that actually could be, because my father was born here in 1916. In a way, I was home! I'd returned. It is where I BE-came who I am today.
2022-current 2023 I moved to Ocala, Florida with my husband after he retired. We purchased our Motorhome and travel as much as possible while still maintaining community and learning a new way of life.
Always thinking I was a dancer, when the drum became my BFF and a neighbor became my business partner, many things changed. Music and rhythm began to flow from my hands and my voice. The drum led me into many new paths -- singing, performing on stage as a duo band, songwriting, guitar lessons, teaching, sharing, gathering, and developing an interest in other percussive instruments for including into my circles. Below is the breakdown of today.....Today!
Where I Live ... Love....and Pass it On.
As a Creator - I love to create new and different ways of doing, seeing, and being. As early as I can remember, I placed my own spin on words, form, and ideas. It served me well many times; and then again, there are those times when leaving well enough alone would also have been a choice.
A few of my most recent 'creations' are JustABeatAway, The Wisdom Roundtable, Passions & Paths, House of Ashera, and formerly Blondes Drum 2, and now Circles of Connection. Most of these mentioned can be found as links on this blog or searched on Google.
Our choices bring us to our current place in time...and I wouldn't change it...would you?
As a Facilitator - I share or teach anything and everything I find interesting, intriguing, and mind capturing. Surely someone else must also be interested in the little tidbits that I pick up here and there and around and about. At least that is the intention I embrace when I become obsessed with creating a gathering or workshop with the high hopes that others will also enjoy the connection and then journey together even if for just a little while.
I Write - Yep! Not sure I can say I'm a writer, but I do write....constantly. Blogging, poetry, journals, thoughts, musings, and songs. Is there anything else? Hmm...will think about that.
I Drum - which involves Music & Rhythm - Of late, drumming is the medium and/or musical instrument I enjoy as a means of gathering others at a deeper level and exploring meditative practices; a way to have fun, dance, sing, and discover the inner beat. Drumming is the core of many of my 'creations' and can be viewed in more detail here under the 'JustABeatAway Drum Circles' page tab or on Just A Beat Away blog. Drumming and Rhythm are truly is the universal connectors.
As an Energy Worker, I find a deeper purpose and meaning in my life. Drumming is energy too. Vibrational Sound Energy. Using drumming, chanting, Usui Reiki, Chakra support, and gatherings intended to focus on the vibrational energy of the universe that we all share and radiate, is my deepest purpose. It brings me to the place in my heart that is open and hopeful and where I carry the spirit of love, peace, and unity.
Positive Life Energy is 'Life Sustaining' and 'Life Enhancing'.
Additionally, in the Human Design World, I am a Manifesting Generator. Always drawn to learning about my personality and the why's of my actions led me to ongoing personal assessment and inner work. Human Design would take a lot of interpretation sessions, but it does validate my Creator - the side of me that is constantly dreaming.
In Astological terms, I'm a Libra with my Moon in Sagittarius and myAscendant is Scorpio.
I'm married to another Libra and have 4 children--2 Gemini's, 1 Aries, 1 Cancer which basically means - Yikes...fireworks, mood swings, deep souls, and loving hearts. My husband also has 4 children. We have very busy calendars.
And, also, as an ENTJ in the ways of Meyers-Briggs, I explore and think about many, many things and need a container and/or a platform for sharing --- thus, this website.
Also, as a Salonneire - I host others in my home for the many workshops and teachings we share = 'Way-Shower.'
Lastly, I am a Goddess and Priestess of many sorts and enjoy a history embracing Aphrodite and a journey as Athena.
So, find me today here and at the links below.....you'll find Drumming at Just a Beat Away, Energy Work at the House of Ashera, Women's Topics at The Wisdom Roundtable, Interviews at Passions & Paths, Guided Life Work at Natural Genius Intuitive Coaching, and much more....
Well, there you have my nutshell....What about yours?