The message was time-stamped at 4:18am on Valentine’s Day:

“Can we stop by? We were evacuated.”

Here in Northern California, we are growing accustomed to evacuations for wildfires. There were no wildfires burning last week. Instead, we had weeks of rain, followed by an extreme soaker that dumped 5 inches in one day.

I had visited my friend’s home the previous evening. I am helping him with a new non-profit organization dedicated to building sustainable housing solutions. I hadn’t visited his house in a few years. I had never seen his cozy library/office space before. We chatted for a long time, in a cocoon of energy that I didn’t understand in the moment.

I took my leave around dinner time. It was dark by then, but as I drove away, I could see large boulders in the roadway, slick with rain, along with mud and branches. Later, I questioned whether I should have alerted him to this.

As reported on the national news, a powerful mudslide ripped through his Sausalito neighborhood around 3am, sweeping away two houses and five cars. One house slid downhill into a second house, knocking it off its foundation. The first house carried one occupant, a woman sleeping on the second floor, as it disintegrated into a pile of sticks. Miraculously, she survived. My friend’s home was three houses away.

Many of the news photos of the scene include his house. He, his wife and daughter are fine. I still haven’t heard the full story from them. I know that they were cleared to return home around 5pm and their power was restored later that evening. As of today, they still don’t have internet. But they are happy to be alive and happy that they still have a home. Many homes have been red-tagged. Several people lost everything.

The neighborhood has rallied to support the victims. Within hours, people were asking what was needed and making offers of everything from children’s clothing to spare cars. It felt like it happened to all of us. And we desperately wanted to ease their suffering. Local, personal connections were quickly transformed into emergency support.

My friend has recognized the importance of local networks and decentralized resources, and is training in permaculture practices. He is committing his architectural talents, his energy and his time to creating a model for a different way of living. The vulnerability of overpriced 0hillside neighborhoods built on stilts was clearly demonstrated last week. I wonder what it will take for “civilized” humans to realize how unstable the foundations of our modern lives are.

Hence the title of this article. And this question also:

What do we see reflected in the hills of Sausalito?

I think back to the prior evening and feel curious about the serendipity of my visit. Only hours later, houses and cars were destroyed, possessions were lost and people were suddenly removed from homes. I suppose that we were shown the urgency of this sacred work of building sustainable housing. The proximity and timing sharpened the impression, on me at least, that the time is now to answer our sacred calling – whatever it may be.

My calling is to support others in their sacred work. I feel as though I have been activated this year, as I counsel many who realize that they can no longer postpone their dreams or ignore their soul’s pleas. It is my soul's joy to assist others in the creation of a viable, visible, grounded business that serves the greater good.
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I offer a private mentoring program for emerging spiritual leaders, called **"Visionary Vessel"**. If you or someone you know feels ready to explore their vision for their sacred work, please reach out to me. You can book a complimentary Clarity Session with me below.

Do you identify as a sensitive, an empath or an introvert?

Have you found it challenging to nurture your sensitivity while functioning in a world that doesn’t always value your gifts?

Perhaps you have felt forced to grow a thicker skin, toughen-up or numb yourself in order get by.

And in so doing, you have dulled the refined perceptions that give you access to subtle energies, higher wisdom and deep connection with others.

As a sensitive myself, I understand the delicate balancing act of walking in two worlds…being grounded in the mundane world while receiving a constant stream of subtle stimuli. Only after committing to full self-acceptance, have I been able to curate a lifestyle that nourishes and honors my sensitivities.

The more that I do to honor my tender-hearted nature, the more that I blossom…as my true gifts are expressed, the more fulfillment I experience. There is definitely a learning curve, but the journey is worth it.
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During this quiet winter season, I am hearing a new call to serve sensitive women.

My favorite way to do this is 1-on-1 sessions to balance and restore your sensitive system with gentle energy healing, combined with deep listening and compassionate witnessing. I’m offering a deeply discounted 45-minute Restorative Healing Session for only $49.
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This weekend, I hope that you will slow down for a bit and consider where in your life you could be more accepting and honoring of your gorgeous sensitivities.

If it feels right, take advantage of this special opportunity to reset and balance your system. Reserve your spot:
https://bit.ly/2CUF9b5.

I know a lot of people who are feeling an energetic squeeze right now. It's as if we are being forced through a narrow passage and all of the things that don't fit with who we are becoming have to drop away.

Events playing out on the political stage are rippling through the economy, causing real financial hardship. The ripples have reached me, even though I have at least three degrees of separation from someone who receives money from the U.S. government. It drives home the point that we are all connected and interdependent. It also highlights the vulnerabilities in the systems that we have come to rely upon, even indirectly.

At times like this, problems can seem insurmountable, and it can be easy to fall into blame and victim consciousness, when the situation may be a gift in disguise. Maybe there is a belief, habit or pattern that you would not see otherwise. It may be holding you back when the rest of you is champing at the bit.

I encourage you to look for the lesson, the wisdom, the breakthrough. Look for the gold. Take on the perspective of an alchemist.

Some part of you knows what needs to change in order for you to move forward. Be curious. Ask questions like, what is here for me inside of this difficulty? How does this situation benefit me? What do I need to see?

You might be surprised at the answers that come.
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Sending you love and fortitude to navigate this moment.

Photography and paintings are now on display in the offices of Acupuncture In Nature at 3030 Bridgeway, Suite 103, Sausalito, California.

Acupuncturist Maureen Hartker goes above an beyond to give her patients excellent, professional care. She specializes in treating patients in pain, and  those battling anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Maureen enjoys empowering and guiding her patients to a life filled with peace and balance with the intention of creating and maintaining a renewed vitality.