Living in a Both/And World

by Kayce Stevens Hughlett

"It took me most of a lifetime and much of the world to learn what I know about love and fear, compassion and gratitude, the profundity of choices we make and stories we believe in, and the difference between living a half-life and a full one." from SoulStroller: experiencing the weight, whispers, & wings of the world

"You are good when you are fully awake in your speech, 

Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose.

And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue." Kahlil Gibran

Both. And. This is who I am. This is what I stand for.

I stand for equality for all people. I believe in magic and miracles and that personal healing is the beginning of world change. 

I believe acting out negatively comes from fear even though we often wrap it in the guise of love. I believe in doing the work every day. Checking in with myself, my spirit, my higher power and asking, "What do I need to know or learn today?" 

Yes, I'm a grown, educated, intuitive woman who still has lots to learn. Will I ever know it all? Impossible!!! 

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." Roald Dahl 

Those who think they know it all, will cease to learn or change. So...

I choose to be intentional in my life as best I can.

To wake up each day and say my metta prayer for the world, to light candles and incense and imagine sharing the fragrant aroma with everyone. I believe in magic and possibility for change. 

I believe in action and education. Donating, protesting, making art, living a life of integrity, and speaking up on behalf of love and equality. 

I believe silence is essential for healing AND silence is detrimental to change when words that need to be spoken are drowned out by fear or complacency. 

I believe in the duality of our existence and that it deserves to be acknowledged and held. 

More resources for the journey:

Movie/Video/Podcast - 

The Hate U Give - Amazon Prime - Current, powerful and appropriate to watch with 13+ (also a novel)

Self-Made: A chronicle of the incredible story of Madam C.J. Walker, who was the first African American self-made millionaire. Stars Octavia Spencer. Need I say more? 

The Help - Book or Film - Read or watch it again! The 60's are not ancient history!! 

I also re-watched Gifted, because I couldn't get enough of Octavia Spencer :) 

The Healer - While this is not a social justice film, I love the message of how we often want to turn away from our gifts, because they seem too hard, alongside the message that Love Heals. An easy watch. 

Becoming (book or film) I highly recommend both. Michelle Obama rocks!!!

Brené Brown and Alicia Keys on "More Myself" Podcast + The book "More Myself" is a personal growth page turner. 

Most graphic and IMHO Most Important watch of the week (30 minutes): Police: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver