A Moment I Didn't See Coming
After more than 20 years of traveling across the country, coaching, training, and speaking in rooms of all shapes and sizes, I thought I had seen it all. But last week, something happened that's never happened before: I cried in front of a client.
It caught me completely off guard. I had just stepped to the front of the room to reflect on the previous day's activities when a wave of emotion surged through me. My eyes filled with tears. Naturally, I paused, stunned by the intensity of what I was feeling. And then, from the back of the room, I heard a few voices call out: "Feel it! Feel it!"
They weren't mocking me. They were encouraging me because just the day before, we had spent hours exploring the fears that shape our responses to change. We discussed emotional clarity and how every emotion has a purpose, and how none of them should be ignored.
So I took a breath and let the moment wash over me. Then, I shared what was on my heart.
"It has become abundantly clear to me just how rooted all of you are in your culture. Your souls are grounded in your connection with your ancestors and their wisdom, and I find myself feeling many things."
First and foremost, I felt excitement for them. Despite the grief and uncertainty they're facing in their professional lives, both individually and as a team, they have something that many people on the mainland don't: a culture and a community in which they can ground themselves. A spiritual lineage that offers guidance and peace in the midst of chaos.
But alongside the excitement, I also felt a deep, aching sadness. Because so many of us — myself included — have lost that connection. Somewhere along the way, generations ago, we became untethered from our culture, our ancestors, and our spirituality. That disconnection has left many of us wandering, searching for something we can't quite name. A sense of belonging. A sense of connection and community. A rootedness that holds us steady when everything else is shifting.
And woven through all of it was gratitude. Immense gratitude for my journey with plant medicine. That work has opened a doorway—one that reconnected me with ancestral wisdom I didn't know I was missing. It was because of that journey that I could recognize the vibration in that room for what it truly was. I could feel it in my body. I could name it, and I could honor it.
When I walked into that room the previous day, I could feel something different.
It was in the way they greeted and embraced each other.
It was in the way they welcomed me.
It was how they circled, joined hands, and sang in honor of their ancestors and their land.
It was in the vibration of the space itself, something I've never felt with any other client before.
It was real, authentic, and unforced love.
It was mutual respect.
It was ancestral strength and wisdom made visible in the present moment.
And it moved me to tears.
When I walked into that room the previous day, I could feel something different.
It was in the way they greeted and embraced each other. It was in the way they welcomed me. It was how they circled, joined hands, and sang in honor of their ancestors and their land. It was in the vibration of the space itself, something I've never felt with any other client before.
It was real, authentic, and unforced love. It was mutual respect. It was ancestral strength and wisdom made visible in the present moment.
And it moved me to tears.
As I continue to reflect on that moment, I'm reminded that emotional clarity isn't just about understanding what we feel. It's about understanding and honoring where those feelings come from. Sometimes, they rise from deep within us, stirred by something ancient, something sacred. And when they do, we owe it to ourselves to pause, to feel, and to listen.
If you've ever felt disconnected from your roots, your culture, or your sense of belonging, know that you're not alone. But also know this: reconnection is possible. It may not look like a straight line. It may come through stories, through community, through quiet moments of reflection, or through unexpected tears in a room full of strangers who suddenly feel like family.
Let those moments move you. Let them teach you. And let them remind you that even in the midst of change, there is always something deeper holding you.
Because when we ground ourselves in who we are and where we come from, we don't just survive change, we transform through it.
About The Workshops
I'm excited to share a glimpse into the two of the three workshops I facilitated for this client, both aimed at strengthening the vital skills of administrative leaders and professionals.
In "Gaining Emotional Clarity and Mastering Self-Regulation," we delved into how emotions influence workplace dynamics and equipped participants with a proven framework to identify triggers and regulate responses, leading to increased confidence and focus. This workshop is ideal for fostering emotional intelligence and resilience within your team.
The second session, "Navigating Change and Leading Through Transformation," focused on the human side of change. Attendees learned to mitigate fear and uncertainty, build trust through effective communication, address resistance, and drive engagement during organizational shifts. It's about transforming skepticism into enthusiasm and ensuring your organization remains agile.
Both workshops offer a blend of practical tools and interactive exercises, designed to provide immediate value.
If your organization is eager to invest in the growth and effectiveness of your leaders, I'd be delighted to discuss how these workshops can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover how these workshops can be customized for your organization's specific needs.
A Note On Plant Medicine
My journey with plant medicine has been one of deep healing, personal transformation, reconnection, and remembrance. Plant medicine, in its various forms, has helped me access ancestral wisdom, emotional clarity, and a sense of spiritual grounding that I didn't know I was missing. While I don't speak about it often in professional spaces, it's an integral part of how I show up in the world and in rooms like the one I described above. If you're curious about this path or exploring your own reconnection, I welcome thoughtful conversation. You can reach out to me at starla@starlawest.com, and I'd be honored to connect.