I'm Having A Moment...

But it's not what you might think.

Apr 21, 2025

No, I'm not having another meltdown. Well, I kind of am. How can we not, if we’re paying any bit of attention to what’s going on around us? But that’s the way of a Tantrica - holding it all in the same breath.
Nor did I hit the 1,000-subscriber mark (though you can help me with that), or make the ultimate Substack Leaderboard. However, in my little corner of the world, I’ve had a moment this week. Here goes…

Finding Jesus

When

Holly Starley

accepted my submission, Finding Jesus, to be included in her Kindness Collection, I felt a bit overwhelmed by her generous words of how she “loved loved loved” the piece. Thinking about the tears, I realized my heightened emotionality had a lot to do with Holly herself.

Holly Starley is one of my most favorite writers in Substackland. Holly writes with a hundred percent honesty and vulnerability, and she does it in a way that settles into my bones like a poem. Her lyrical prose, music that shatters my heart. Many Sunday mornings, I read her work to drink in the words like a parched desert hiker on a hot day. I read her work as a masterclass in craft, searching for clues on how she does it so seemingly effortlessly.

At the time of her acceptance, what neither of us knew was that she’d publish Finding Jesus on Easter Sunday. Which, for millions of people worldwide, is celebrated as a holy day. I’m delighting in that synchronicity. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I believe we can all get behind Spring as a time of renewal and the importance of recognizing the kindness of strangers.

I hope you enjoy reading Finding Jesus. And I sincerely hope that you will treat yourself and subscribe to

Holly Starley

’s Rolling Desk Publication.

Another Moment

Last Wednesday evening I was invited by

Diamond-Michael Scott

to join him on a Substack Live. A relatively new feature that I’ve resisted since its inception. But you know what? It was fun. Diamond-Michael and I had a great time discussing the relevance of both the wisdom traditions we align with - the Tao and Tantra - for helping us navigate the paradox and mystery of living in today’s upside-down world. If you missed it, you can watch with the link at the bottom and subscribe to his work.

And Then

Maia Duerr

who writes The Practice of Life, a human and a writer I greatly respect and admire, included me in a list compiled of ‘people to follow on Substack if you’re new to the platform’. Maia categorized her list - she does allow that the list is not exhaustive by any means. Maia generously listed me under Spiritual Encouragement. I’ve not thought of my work in quite that way, and yet it feels so right.

Last BUT Never Least

Amanda B. Hinton

recommended Because Life Is Messy… as a publication to read. A recommendation to your publication from another writer is a big deal. A recommendation from another writer you read and respect and try to soak in her wisdom like a sponge is significant and magnificent, and I’m so so grateful!

My Heart Is Full

Friends, this moment that took place in a week - arrived unexpectedly like the Easter Bunny placing a basket filled with love at my front door. I graciously accept the love because, as Holly reminds us, we need to share our moments of kindness and spread them around like chocolate, oops, I mean, manna from heaven.

Thanks to each of you who have supported Because Life Is Messy… for many months, and welcome to new subscribers. I see you. I recognize you. I honor you.