Legislative News
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President Obama proclaims June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month (signed June 1, 2009). White House Press Release___________________ In May, the California Supreme Court failed to overturn Prop 8. While the decision is disappointing, the fight for equal rights to marry goes on. For more info, please visit: www.EQCA.org
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Community News & Events
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LA PRIDE FESTIVAL
When: Saturday June 13 from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight Sunday June 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: San Vicente between Santa Monica and Melrose.
All are invited to come out and show their Pride as Christopher Street West launches their latest three-year vision - "PRIDE 365: Power. Passion. Purpose." Thousands of festival attendees are expected in the heart of West Hollywood to revel amongst world-class headlining entertainment (previously featured artists include: Olivia Newton John, Joss Stone, Joan Jett and the premiere of the music video "Hollywood" by Madonna).
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Huntington Beach launches new Gay Bar & Grill.
Metro Q Bar & Grill is located at 19092 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach,CA 92648.
Phone: 714.968.6677
Hours: 3pm - 1am (weekdays) and noon - 1am
(weekends)
For more info: TheMetroQ.com
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The Center OC is moving June 7th.
New address will be:
1605 N. Spurgeon St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
New phone:
(714) 953-LGBT (5428)
Staff requests that you not visit until their move is complete (unless you are currently signed up as a volunteer). For more info: The Center OC
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| Greetings! |
Welcome to the June 2009 edition of Reflections. This month's main article is focused on the growth that occurs when we focus our efforts on letting go. I hope you will find it both informing and inspiring.
As the days lengthen and you enjoy the warmth of
summer, I hope that you will take time to rest and replenish your energy and
your passion. When I return from vacation, I will have some openings for new
clients. If you are interested in how therapy can help you along your journey,
please contact me for a consultation.
Warmly,Lisa Maurel, MFT Lic. 32416
"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the
bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
- Anais Nin
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Growth and Letting Go
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This summer, I'm growing corn in my garden! I took the
shriveled seed from the package, followed the directions and hoped
for the best. As I water daily, I wonder about the mystery of that seed
and how the sun and the water trigger its' deep inner knowledge to
become the tall plant that will produce delicious corn.
Like a kid waiting for Christmas, I start each day
checking on its progress. I can water, but too much will kill the corn. It gets
sun, but I have no control over how much. It will be ready when it
gets what it needs.
photo credit: flikr.com/kcolwell
What are the conditions that foster our growth?
Love,
nurturing and safety are the elements that foster our development as people, from our first
attachment. We continue to grow through
the attachments we form in life. Being a good friend, parent or partner, are experiences in which we need to expand ourselves in order to attach. These relationships
also call forth our growth. As women, our relationships are often central
to our experience of self.
Like everything
else in life, our relationships are not static. They are in a constant state of change and flux. Time marches and
we as individuals, families and societies morph and adapt
to the never ending rhythm of life expanding, growing, and regenerating
itself. The pain we experience in the loss of a loved one through death, divorce, or estrangement,
is another condition that nudges us into the growth process.
__________________________________________
Let my hidden weeping arise and blossom.
-Rainer Maria Rilke
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As we face the loss of a loved one, we experience the
agony of
separation, grief and longing. Our minds and hearts
search for "what was" while everything around us triggers the
sensation and the reality of "what is no more". Beyond thought, beyond words, there is a
place in which we experience profound sorrow, that can only
be endured and born. But in our humanity we resist, we fight, we
argue, we deny; all in the hopes of avoiding the pain of loss and
mourning. We run to the next relationship, we turn to chemicals, or we deaden
the pain by shutting down through a myriad of means.
If you are facing this kind of loss, first let me
say, I'm glad you are
reading. I hope you keep reading and find a foothold
here. Hang on, and then look for the next foothold. These footholds are
like tiny places in the journey where we can rest, take in and find
strength to renew ourselves.
Remember, you don't have to go through your pain
alone. Please reach out to a safe friend. This is someone who listens,
without judging, advising or placating you.
Please, be gentle with yourself. Care for yourself as
you would a good friend. Ask yourself what you really need. Sometimes
self care means self first.
Take some time to connect with nature and something
larger than yourself. Look for the ways in which life is happening around
you, in cycles. Imagine your part of that larger web of life. You too
will return to a time of joy. This season will not last forever. Sometimes we have to look back in order to understand the
way in which our life is unfolding. Remind yourself of a time when you
experienced loss or change that at that time seemed insurmountable. See if you
can notice the way in which this past loss contributed to your growth or your
becoming the person you are today. Like the natural rhythm of the budding corn or the
blooming flowers, the healing process happens with the right
conditions, but it cannot be forced.
__________________________________________ The next message you need is always right where you are.
-Ram Dass
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Emotional and spiritual growth works in the same way.
It begins in the depths where it's difficult to tell what's going
on. We can't see how this is going to emerge to become that. All we can do
is make sure we are giving ourselves the best possible conditions for
the process to happen: a safe place for support, the space to
grieve, the courage to tell our truth as we experience it, and the
willingness to allow the process to open our eyes to what it wants to teach
us, and time.
With time, if we trust our deep inner knowing, to simply
be who we are; if we give ourselves the conditions that foster our
growth, like the corn, we grow into ourselves. We become more of
who we are meant to be.
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______________________________________  Please note:
Reflections will be on "vacation" for July, but will return with a new issue in August. |
Peace to you on your journey, Lisa
Lisa Maurel, MFT
"Growth is in your hands"
714.390.8189
lisa@therapy4oclesbians.com
www.genderpath.com
© 2009 Lisa Maurel, MFT, Lic. # 32416 - All Rights Reserved. | |
REFLECTIONS
