Keep Dancing: Finding my way from burned out to being
Susan Morgan Bailey, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Coach, guide and speaker on thriving as humans and in organizations
In the midst of a dark night, I almost gave up my dance. My motto used to be “so much to do (fix, heal, help,) so little time, and there I was in the Fall of 2023, burned out and questioning the point of it...the achieving, pushing, tand tirelessly supporting others in an effort to help them be well.? I felt lost, sitting firmly in the embrace of a dark night of the soul . However, a deep inner knowing persisted – the awareness that I was born to help others thrive. But, the way I had been working was no longer sustainable, the clarity of direction I once possessed had dissolved, leaving me mentally, physically and spiritually spent.
At that time, my mantra shifted to “keep dancing". It became a call to keep moving, to believing in the dance of life.? Don’t give up.? Keep dancing!?Rather than wishing things were different or easier, I settled in and embraced the dance while finding my way toward a new way of being.
That led me into a profound year of reconnecting to myself through self-inquiry, guided by an array of teachers, healers, shamans and space-holders.? The journey prompted me to register for the Deep Coaching Intensive through the Center for Transformational Coaching with desire to reignite my fire and invest in my 1:1 coaching skills. ?It propelled me to begin a yearlong intuitive healer training, expanding my energy management skills. ?It returned me to my first love, nature. It led me to remember things I had known, but had forgotten.
Over time, "keep dancing" evolved into a deeper understanding – an acknowledgment that I am meant to be me. It birthed a desire to become comfortable in my own skin, to love myself without the baggage and armor. Through reflection, meditation, journaling, and a lot of shedding, I became intimately acquainted with the stories I had been telling myself about survival and what it means to be a human in this world.
I have begun to discover myself and experience life with fresh perspective and understanding of what it means when we say we must "put our oxygen mask on first before helping others".? Oxygen is life for human beings and fuel for a fire. Becoming aware of my stories and the potential they offer to fuel both daily living and life purpose has been a game changer, along with several other transformative practices I have adopted.
I am feeling called?to share what I have learned with others who might resonate with my story in two ways.
Energy For Being: Reconnect and Recharge Retreat
Consider joining me on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 10am-1pm ET for a virtual retreat.? For those struggling to find the inspiration or in need of a personal time out, I invite you to lean into the vibe of Winter and settle into the “den” for a pause to check in with yourself.? We’ll huddle up together to experience nurturing connection and activities to help ground, center and connect you to the fire of your being.
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Learn more and register here: https://tinyurl.com/3a7rbxf8
And, for individuals seeking more intimate support for transformation, I'll will soon be available for coaching.
1:1 Coaching
For those looking to reconnect with yourself in a 1:1 setting, I have a couple slots open for bi-monthly Deep Coaching beginning in February.?? Message me if you’d like to learn more about Deep Coaching and whether it would be a fit for you at this time.
The World Needs You to Keep Dancing Too
As I navigate this path of self-discovery and integrate new ways of being, the words of author David Orr resonate deeply with me: “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”
His wisdom serves as a reminder that our collective energy, passion, and commitment to helping others thrive are paramount. In these interesting times on the planet, I am inspired to keep dancing and am excited extend an invitation for others to join me on this transformative journey.
Employee Experience| Future of Work| Human-centered Strategy|Consultant
10 个月Right there with ya, girl!! Would love to reconnect
Executive Coach and Consultant | Business Strategy | Conscious Leadership | Transformation & Resilience
10 个月Yesssss!!!!
Employee well-being and culture is my passion and creating holistic and targeted wellbeing strategies for employers. Let's have a conversation!
10 个月Susan thank you sharing this because as I read it, it struck that chord that I have been feeling and I’m so glad to see how you’re answering that call. Keep being the motivational force that you are.
Building brand awareness and empowering colleagues to build their share of voice via Social Media | Director, Social Media @Marsh McLennan Agency. Views: Mine
10 个月Great article, thanks for sharing!
I help people navigate transitions, explore joy, meaning, and purpose, find their voice, cultivate inner peace, through practicing mindfulness. I'm a coach, facilitator, author, teacher, connector, and change innovator.
10 个月Yeees! Let’s keep on dancing, yeah! I’ve launched the Wellness on Wheels dream Bill and I had imagined. Last week, I danced daily in the California sunshine - with a newly married couple, each 80 years old. They’ve known and loved each other since they were in their 20’s and finally had the synchronicity in life that led them to wed. I’m a wellness minstrel now, and this is one of many activities I’ve been organically forming and facilitating as I travel aroundin my new camper van. Just before Christmas, I participated in a dance class, impromptu, in a favorite town I was visiting. Then they drafted me into their flash mob and we danced for Christmas joy at the open air markets and outdoor cafes - it’s their annual tradition, and I felt lucky! In a mountain town, I led a group through chair yoga that felt like a dance of deep breathing and peace. It was exhilarating and calming - we had a ball, middle-aged to elder. I also got to do yoga with a little 4 year old boy who had watched me teach my zoom yoga class. He’s a natural at yoga and an acrobat. He said he does yoga at Preschool, so he showed me poses-while standing on the arm of an overstuffed chair! Maybe I’m really simply a joy minstrel! Bill would like that, I think.