I don’t know about you but I have always been uncomfortable with the word power, especially when applying the word ‘powerful’ to describe myself.

Call it a mix of having been raised by a mentally ill woman who misused hers with the woes of gender and being born a girl, but sadly harnessing my own innate power, the internal blazing ferocity that is part and parcel of our deepest core intelligence, has been work and something that, up until a few years ago, I’ve skated tentatively around.

In Tibetan Buddhism there is much talk and fantastic teaching of finding one’s warrior or rather becoming a warrior. This has nothing to do with violence or fighting, but rather seizing upon and igniting one’s own brave heart, as means to courageously and unabashedly face life and our selves in full. Not a task for the meek, don’t you agree?

Some years ago, I was given a visualization exercise by one of my spiritual guides. She asked me to tap into and animate the energy of the free-spirited fiery girl in me. This seemed non-threatening enough, and I only realized after the fact what she was encouraging in me: After weeks and months of sitting with this project to connect with the head-strong stubborn hippie child that I was, I began to see myself turning into a solid and fearless woman, riding on the back of a lion nonetheless!

I not only imagined, but also felt myself as this powerful girl-turned-woman, coming out of childhood revelry into the intense light of adulthood where I could and would face the world head on. In my weaker moments, I still conjure this vision today, of me gripping that lion’s mane and charging out into the light, fierce and strong, and so able to stay upright and ride into whatever lies ahead.

This makes me think of one of Florence Welch’s songs, where she virtually screams out “I am a lion-hearted girl!” and how this song resonated for me when I first heard it and how it is filling me now with that same warrior cry. Not to be combative and make trouble, but rather to go out there and be UNSTOPPABLE, and if there is any butt to kick at all, it is that of fear.

This post is in fact my own version of just such a warrior cry, calling you into bravery, authenticity, and powerful action.

I beg you. I urge you. Take up, put on, and initiate your lion heart. Harness all the power that is bursting to come out in you. Don’t be shy about showing the world your stuff. C’mon, let’s see what you’ve got. From one fierce and brave soul to another, I’ll meet you out there.

In sweetness and strength,