How We Are Connected

From Amy: At the heart of my work, I draw connections with and for real-life creatives, often from my lived experience of making those kinds of connections in my own work. Not only would a younger Amy have cringed to see me publish the writing I do, but also at the way I reach out to people and say, "Hey, I have a feeling we could work together," or more simply, "Something you shared resonated with me. Please record a conversation for my podcast." But you know what? I'm really good at it, so at this point I own that gift. Because it works out well for me. When I look at Beth Cyr's artwork, I see her doing a similar thing: This is my gift, she says through her pieces, It's something beautiful inside me, and I'm going to do it. And once I've made it, I'll share it. As a result, the rest of us get to enjoy her beautiful imagery. I have a print on my bookshelf from Beth, from this time when she had done all this drawing and I could buy a random print from the collection. That simple yet nuanced landscape inspires me every time I contemplate it. And it's there in the background, quietly keeping beauty in mind. What if your creations could be like that? It comes from knowing who you are and how you feel most like you as you move through the world. Beth made it easy to buy and I was grateful to receive this present-to-me I'd requested that was nonetheless a surprise. She's since taken it to a whole new level in her Gifts from the Universe project, which you can read about in the links below. Beth and I have mutual online friends. So over the summer when she sent an email to her list that especially spoke to me, it wasn't such a stretch to reach out and say, "Hi. We've never spoken before, but let's talk." Unsurprisingly, Beth knew who I was... I was surprised when she replied that she'd seen my name in a congratulatory forum post announcing my certification in Level 4 Quantum Human Design. Ahem. In the space of three weeks, I completed four levels of Quantum Human Design certification, and I was kind of wondering how I was going to talk about that. It makes Younger Amy very uncomfortable to mention. Academic Amy as well. As in, I hadn't mentioned it widely. Because it's an esoteric, well-known field in the life coaching world, certain people expect that from me; my clients know I'm a bit spiritual. I also come from a more prosaic world where such things are looked on as a little (or a lot) out there... a pseudoscience... and also... I find that Human Design is incredibly cool and my chart explains SO MUCH. So I've been quietly exploring for years. I'm only just starting to talk about why that is. So when Beth congratulated me, I recognized the opportunity for what it was: an opportunity to explore this unexpected connection and gather courage to be a bit more "out there." Maybe stop letting the younger, more-easily-mortified Amy decide what I'm talking about. Decondition myself, if you will, and let my gifts shine. Because Human Design is a gift. We talk a bit about deconditioning in the podcast. In essence, it's letting go of what isn't really your energy and your gifts, and embracing what really is. And who decides? YOU. My Human Design chart reveals that following Shiny Objects (I've mentioned several examples above) is a grand and restorative use of my energy. I'm wired to indulge my muses, and to encourage you to as well. And there will be talking. For Beth, it's more body based. I've found the creative process is like this. I let myself respond to a Shiny Object (rather than shrinking away for fear of derision, and potentially being labeled as having "Shiny Object Syndrome..." a known term of derision) and I find out that not only do I have this initial thing in common with the person I contacted to talk, but we have more to talk about, and they help me to see the depth where prior to that I only had worries. That's what this conversation with Beth was like, as well as a primer on Human Design. Beth made Human Design abundantly clear, and as I listen again, I continue to learn more. That's why I think this episode is incredibly cool, and I'm proud to share it. Beth Cyr is an artist, relationship coach, and Quantum Human Design Specialist. To work with clients she has an array of practices from her tool box that include Human Design, somatic work (movement), breathwork, mindfulness and meditation, creativity and art. Through Human Design she's gained a new level of understanding, compassion, and acceptance in all her relationships and wants to share this with others. Beth's Links: Website Instagram Beth's Gifts from the Universe Project starts on Black Friday—but it isn't a typical Black Friday sale. Read more about it. Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks