I Started Substack on a Southwest Flight

The flight delay I never knew I needed.

I thought an early flight back home from Phoenix to San Diego would be drama free. I’m on the first flight out, so there is no possible way for delays or late planes, right?

Well, of course, God had other plans.

I always arrive a minimum of 2 hours before my flight. In my earlier career, I did quite a bit of traveling so I don’t like surprises and want the peace of mind that I’ll get to my destination smoothly.

Now that we’ve boarded and been informed that San Diego’s fog is too thick to land, it would be a 2-hour delay while sitting in the not so comfortable seats on an aging Southwest plane.

Then I got it! Oh! I can use this time to write my first Substack article! Perfect!

As I put on my strategic hat, I wonder “how am I going to do this?” I don’t have a laptop. My iPad is packed in my checked luggage. And out of respect of the good-looking dude two seats away, I didn’t feel I wanted to invite him into my world quite yet by dictating my article and pouring out my heart from my window seat.

So here I am: I have my thoughts, my heart, and my chubby fingers to do the work on my iPhone 14 ProMax.

So why am I here? I am bringing voice to the struggles, triumphs, revelations, pain, and glory my 61 years has afforded me to experience. My journey from hiding from my true self, healing from the people pleasing disease, to being unleashed to share openly in service to those who dare to take themselves on.

I’m dedicating my work here to the souls who don’t feel heard. To express my mind and heart with the intention to bring voice to unfiltered journey of deconstructing my beliefs systems to realize that eveuthing I was looking for was found in…….me.

From Turbulence to Triumph: My journey so far

In the labyrinth of corporate corridors, I wore the mask of a chameleon—adapting, shape-shifting, contorting myself into molds that never quite fit. My career in financial services was illustrious, marked by the outward signs of success, yet each accolade came at a cost. I mastered the art of 'faking it till you make it,' playing the roles expected of me, always with a smile that said, "I'm safe," ensuring others felt the same. But was I ever truly safe in those spaces where my voice, my authenticity, remained muted?

As I climbed the corporate ladder, I found joy and purpose in edifying, uplifting, and coaching those under my wing. It was in these moments of service that my natural strengths flourished—yet, unchecked, these same strengths ran amok, morphing into weaknesses. I was the consummate people pleaser, a 'yes' person who often sacrificed personal integrity for approval and safety.

Toward the end of my corporate journey, as illness began to erode my health, it also stripped away my façade. My confidence waned, my survival techniques faltered, and my flaws stood starkly exposed. It was a raw, transformative period where the illusion of control shattered, urging me to confront the reality of my existence: Success, yes, but at what cost?

Raw Reflections: Who the F*ck am I?

There is something profoundly human about telling stories of lived experineces and how they have impacted our lives. I appreciate the courage when vulnerability takes center stage, especially when it emerges from a place of deep authenticity, love, and abandon. In my own quest to truly know myself, I have explored the realms of Human Design, uncovering my energetic DNA, which has profoundly shaped how I understand my role in this world. As a 6/2 Projector, my profile suggests that I am here to be a role model, embodying lessons and experiences that are meant to guide others.

This understanding has liberated me from the shackles of shame, guilt, and the perennial need to please, granting me the freedom to express myself in ways that are unfiltered and raw. It is this freedom that enables my stories to resonate with a transformative power, capturing the essence of the love that has sculpted my life's journey. While some may argue that I share "too much," I believe that if my experiences and the alchemy of overcoming them can aid even one person on their path, then every word shared is worth it.

Through my writings, I aim to leverage this power of storytelling to not only recount my experiences but to evoke and nurture the spirit of love within those that connect and align. It is my hope that by sharing my journey, others will feel the profound love that has come to resonate within the depths of my soul. This isn't just about sharing stories—it's about igniting a transformation through the visceral power of lived experience, offering a beacon for those navigating their own dark nights of the soul.

Recently, one of my closest confidants described me as a Bridge Walker. I had never heard or entertained that moniker or description before. However, it felt deeply resonate because I do recognize and own my gifting to guide others from the side of the bridge they’re reluctant to cross, to where they take purposed strides to cross the line to what’s calling them to elevate.

So I thought that by inviting readers into my world, I aim to create a space where vulnerability meets wisdom, where stories aren't just told—they're felt and lived, alongside each word penned. This is the power of storytelling I bring to this space: a bridge built of words and emotions, inviting all who cross it to explore the landscapes of their own lives through the lens of love and authenticity.

Into the Deep

At the heart of this space lies a deep-seated belief in the untapped power of love—not the touchy-feely kind, but love as a formidable force that can transform, heal, and connect us in profound ways. I am drawn to the stories of personal heroism not found in epic tales but in the quiet corners of everyday lives, where individuals confront their shadows and embrace their entire journey with openness and authenticity.

I invite you to join this exploration of love and transformation. Share your insights, your breakthroughs, and the deep, often unspoken parts of your hero’s journey. Tell us about the moments you were transformed, how you navigated the complexities of your path, and how you’ve come to understand that embracing your shadow is not just a step but the way to healing.

So, I encourage you to engage, comment, and participate. Let’s make this space a dynamic forum for exchange, where the power of collective wisdom shines a light on the love that binds us, showing us the way forward, together.

Expect the Unexpected

You can expect a weekly exploration of topics that resonate deeply with the human experience, delivered with honesty, love, and perhaps a touch of the unexpected. I’ll post articles each week, although I remain open to the spontaneous bursts of inspiration that demand me to get off my booty and write.

You’ll find a rich tapestry of content here—from deeply personal stories and reflections on my own journey, to guest posts that bring diverse perspectives into our conversation. We’ll delve into the complexities of religion and faith, navigate the choppy waters of life after divorce, and explore the nuances of coming out later in life. I’ll also share the profound privilege and challenges of being a dad, among other real-life stuff.

To enhance the connection and deepen our exploration, I’m also developing audio recordings that will complement and expand on the topics discussed in my articles. Additionally, guided meditations and spoken word recordings will be part of this offering, providing multiple pathways for you to engage with and reflect on the content.

The Inner Voice: The Core of Our Journey

At the core of all these offerings is the concept of The Inner Voice. Each of us has this inner voice, a subtle yet powerful guide that echoes through our choices, challenges, and moments of silence. If we listen closely, we'll find that despite the diversity of our stories and the multiplicity of our voices, there is a harmonious message being woven through our experiences. It speaks of love, of learning, and of the luminescent potential of the human spirit to overcome and evolve.

Through this platform, I invite you to tune into your own inner voice, to engage with it, challenge it, and let it guide you to deeper truths. Let’s embark on this journey together, with open hearts and minds ready to explore, share, and grow.

There, I did it! I wrote my first article. And to be fully transparent, the chubby fingers gave up half way through Paragraph 2 on the plane and I opted for close my eyes, put on my earphones, and play my new Spotify Playlist: The Inner Voice

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