Curated proof that the world has soul
💥 In This Week’s Issue
Editor’s note: service through joy vs. service through servitude — how midlife (and the Panini Generation squeeze) is the moment to ask what lights you up, and why the Fire Horse doesn’t always have to run at full speed
Soul lit finds: trying new things feels so awkward (but keep going), a 34-minute guided breathing meditation on “here,” The Alchemy Transmissions is officially out, a story that will give you pure chills, and the 10 most beautiful words in the English language
Also this week: bats that take turns babysitting and prairie dogs that kiss hello, the pure goodness of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and my lip-syncing video that’s been popping off
Plus: an invitation — The Alchemy Transmissions book club kicked off with 25 women, and it’s not too late to join us for Session Two, “Beautiful Lies and Ugly Truths”
I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been feeling less fire and more wanting to go slow. Which doesn’t quite speak to the Year of the Fire Horse energy.
But I have to listen to my internal rhythms. Something is brewing… I’m just not sure what yet.
I’m in the in-between.
You too?
Midlife is so magical and unexpected. We are becoming wise elders. We are tuning into our wants and dreams. We are taking a hard look at where and how we’ve abandoned ourselves – and we’re making new choices. Many of us are part of the Sandwich Generation – or, as I heard Shannon Watts recently call it, the Panini Generation. We are being squeezed on both sides as we care for the many people we love. So, tending to our inner lives is important at this juncture. We’re going to burn out if we’re not paying attention.
That’s why I’ve been thinking a lot about a question that came up in my book club recently: what does “service through joy” mean? Do we need to find joy in all the ways we’re in service to everyone and everything outside of ourselves? I’m still working out my personal definition of this.
But I do know this: Service through servitude will drain the life force from us.
This midlife season is an important time to ask ourselves: What do I want? What would light me up and bring me joy that is just for me?
Take a solo sabbatical. Go back to school. Learn an instrument. Take dance lessons. Speak a new language. Attend a retreat. Join a weekly mahjong group. Take a writing class. Anything that lights you up. Find this first … and maybe the bonus to all of this is that a new vehicle (or way you want to be in service) will emerge. But also, no pressure if you simply want to do things for the sake of feeling joy. Follow your curiosity.
I imagine that the Fire Horse doesn’t always run at a fast pace. Horses are so wise, intuitive, and tuned in – let’s tap into that energy and lean into what’s right for our own original design right now. Perhaps you’re in a midlife pivot where your fire is an ember that’s staying warm until it’s ready to blaze with all its power and energy.
So I’ll leave you with the questions I’m sitting with: Where are you serving from joy, and where has it slipped into servitude? What makes you feel lit up? And how would you define service through joy? I’d truly love to hear.
WORTH KNOWING
🎥 It’s awkward trying new things. But, if it’s part of your growth and evolution as you step into your future you, keep going.
🎧 A guided breathing meditation focusing on “here.” 34 minutes.
📘 The Alchemy Transmissions book is officially out! As the next book in the series of The Freedom Transmissions, “The Alchemy Transmissions is about understanding how to both receive and catalyze Miracles … through Divine and human co-creation.” Yes, and!
🪽 “The echos that we leave behind, I think, are undeniable.” Pure chills from this story.
📝 Diaphanous, ethereal, love… and the other top 10 most beautiful words in the English language.
Little things keeping me going.
→ Bats take turns babysitting, prairie dogs kiss to say hello, and other very cute creature things.
→ Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is pure goodness and compassion.
→ I learned to lip sync this song in about five minutes and popped onto IG to record it. I laughed as I was learning it — pure joy and silliness. It’s my most watched video hands down.
Each of you who are on this planet at this time have come to a body to take the narrow gate, the gate to Spirit within self. Whether you take that opportunity is to be determined by you. The higher your vibration, the more powerful your passion through Peace will be in time to come.
We kicked off the first session of The Alchemy Transmissions book club this past Tuesday. What a beautiful group of light-holders. ✨ (25 women are in this book club!) This is part of Hold the Light Collective where we also meet once a month (the second Monday of the month) to connect over something from The Freedom Transmissions … to keep us in the pocket of shoring up our inner foundations so we can keep getting back onto that pathway to peace when we get knocked out.
It’s not too late to join. We will dig into Session Two this Tuesday as we discuss the chapter “Beautiful Lies and Ugly Truths.” Dang. It’s all so good.
Zoom link and other info will be sent after registration.
Build the Light is curated proof that the world has soul.
We bring spirituality (and fun stuff to know) into the mainstream through the people, stories, and ideas meant to activate the light-holders building a better world, inside and out. Hold the light. Reflect the light. Build the light.
This edition was written by Laurie Gunning Grossman.
Build the Light is part of Hold the Light Collective — where this work goes deeper, in community.
💜 P.S. Forward this email to one person you think might like it. That’s how this grows — one light-builder at a time. And if someone forwarded this to you and you’d like to keep receiving it, sign up here.
Find Laurie between issues: Instagram · Substack · Hold the Light podcast
Disclosure: Some newsletters contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the “lights” on. (So, thank you!)