For the last six months or so I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on my life. At times I’ve mentioned to friends that I’ve felt I’ve lived about FIVE lifetimes just time around. Well, after sitting down with pen and paper and jotting down the transformational periods of my life, it’s more like SEVEN. So, as I begin lifetime #8 in this incarnation, I’m excited to see what lies ahead. Therefore, I’m declaring June 1, 2016 as Happy New Year for Cali. I did this once before in 2012 after going through some major transformation. It is customary here in America to view January 1st as the beginning of any New Year, however, I think it’s beneficial to create our own every now and then.
The first 12 years of my life I don’t really remember much at all, just glimpses of images here and there. Ages 12-17 was a HUGE period and really set the tone for a life I had not expected. I remember my earliest dream of going to the Olympic Games and how in 1984 I wanted to be the next Katarina Witt. I loved the ice and how I felt free as I skated around on those thin blades. My fondest memories of my skating life were the 6 a.m. ice times when I was all alone. Just me and a perfectly manicured sheet of ice. It was bliss. My closest friends at that time were other athletes and I was really a tomboy who enjoyed watching baseball and hockey games. I always wanted to play hockey, but valued my body, so stuck with figure skating.
The transition into adulthood years of 18-21 were painted by lots of loss, and unexpected loss. Friends were losing loved ones and sometimes it just didn’t make sense. It was probably my first glimpse at how precious life truly was. It was also the first time I came face to face to understanding the pull between head and heart. I was being groomed to go to the best schools and get the best job, etc., yet my passions were for sport and art. It was a personal struggle as I began to rebel over what I was told to do and what I truly wanted to do, and become.
Ages 22-27 were spent trying to find a balance between both lifestyles. I had attended university because it was expected, but mentally I was never really there. I loved to write and was able to find a way to incorporate that passion into my skating life which was exciting. I became a journalist for skating events and had the opportunity to travel all over the globe. Travel became a way of life and living out of a suitcase became the norm. Little did I know at the time how my packing skills would serve me some twenty years later? It was also during this time that I discovered California and knew it was a special place for me, yet not fully understanding why at the time.
The following seven years were pretty much more of the same, but also something crucial happened. I was introduced to the world of personal development, even though I didn’t fully understand it at the time. I had read the book, The Celestine Prophecy when it first came out, and was actually introduced to the book in a chance happening. After that I began to come in contact with members of my soul family, one by one as if they were placed in my presence at the precise moment they needed to come. Each carrying a message and lesson that I needed to learn along the way. I didn’t really understand it when it was happening, but I knew each individual meant something in my life. It was that instant recognition, the knowing they were something special, yet again not fully understanding.
In 2008 I made what I call my first BIG LIFE DECISION. I felt as though I had followed the rules of life up till that point. I had graduated with honors from university. I was offered the top job with the fancy title even prior to graduating. I had financial security and good friends. I had traveled the globe. I had what one could view as the “perfect life”, yet I was miserable. Something was missing and I knew I needed to make a change.
I had been splitting my time between New York and California by that point, living the life I was groomed for in New York, yet longing for the life I dreamed of in California. So, my very first massive leap of faith was about to take place. After a year I decided to resign from the dream job, pack up my car and move to California, to Sausalito where my soul had resided even though my body crisscrossed the country. It was the first time in my life where I truly felt at peace. I had come “home”.
In order to soften the blow to those who felt I had made the biggest mistake in my life, I decided to go to graduate school at the University of San Francisco. This was I wasn’t viewed as the crazy woman who threw it all away to follow her heart to the City by the Bay. I was awarded a scholarship to USF and did quite well in my two years there, but still I wasn’t fulfilled. Then came the biggest revelation of all. I realized I wasn’t this executive with now three college degrees. I was an “ARTIST” and that took a while to fully accept.
When I turned 40 I celebrated with a group of friends at my home on the hill in Sausalito. I can still remember that day, sitting in the living room surrounded by love and laughter. One of my friends said, “Here’s to the best year of your life.” Little did I know it would be not only the best, but the worst? Little did I know at that time that I would be pregnant with my daughter while celebrating? Little did I know that a year later I would finally begin to grieve the loss of my child that I had loss through miscarriage? Little did I know that the next few years would be the truest test of my faith and strength and literally create a brand new person?
The last five years have been quite remarkable when I think about it. I became so in tune with my intuition and followed my soul’s calling each time it led me down a new road. Although I didn’t understand the calling at times, internally I knew I needed to listen, and I’m so glad I did.
So here I am now in my 46th year on this planet and beginning yet again. This time my soul has led me to the beautiful island of Coronado where I’ve fully embraced the “artist” I AM. It seems only appropriate as I begin this 8th lifetime in this incarnation that I’m currently working on my 8th book, Timing The Tides. I’m also enjoying my photography adventures and now looking to paint as well. Who knows where this will all lead? All I can say is I’m ready.
Stay tuned for next time when I may unveil some of my new creations.
Cheers!
Cali
The first 12 years of my life I don’t really remember much at all, just glimpses of images here and there. Ages 12-17 was a HUGE period and really set the tone for a life I had not expected. I remember my earliest dream of going to the Olympic Games and how in 1984 I wanted to be the next Katarina Witt. I loved the ice and how I felt free as I skated around on those thin blades. My fondest memories of my skating life were the 6 a.m. ice times when I was all alone. Just me and a perfectly manicured sheet of ice. It was bliss. My closest friends at that time were other athletes and I was really a tomboy who enjoyed watching baseball and hockey games. I always wanted to play hockey, but valued my body, so stuck with figure skating.
The transition into adulthood years of 18-21 were painted by lots of loss, and unexpected loss. Friends were losing loved ones and sometimes it just didn’t make sense. It was probably my first glimpse at how precious life truly was. It was also the first time I came face to face to understanding the pull between head and heart. I was being groomed to go to the best schools and get the best job, etc., yet my passions were for sport and art. It was a personal struggle as I began to rebel over what I was told to do and what I truly wanted to do, and become.
Ages 22-27 were spent trying to find a balance between both lifestyles. I had attended university because it was expected, but mentally I was never really there. I loved to write and was able to find a way to incorporate that passion into my skating life which was exciting. I became a journalist for skating events and had the opportunity to travel all over the globe. Travel became a way of life and living out of a suitcase became the norm. Little did I know at the time how my packing skills would serve me some twenty years later? It was also during this time that I discovered California and knew it was a special place for me, yet not fully understanding why at the time.
The following seven years were pretty much more of the same, but also something crucial happened. I was introduced to the world of personal development, even though I didn’t fully understand it at the time. I had read the book, The Celestine Prophecy when it first came out, and was actually introduced to the book in a chance happening. After that I began to come in contact with members of my soul family, one by one as if they were placed in my presence at the precise moment they needed to come. Each carrying a message and lesson that I needed to learn along the way. I didn’t really understand it when it was happening, but I knew each individual meant something in my life. It was that instant recognition, the knowing they were something special, yet again not fully understanding.
In 2008 I made what I call my first BIG LIFE DECISION. I felt as though I had followed the rules of life up till that point. I had graduated with honors from university. I was offered the top job with the fancy title even prior to graduating. I had financial security and good friends. I had traveled the globe. I had what one could view as the “perfect life”, yet I was miserable. Something was missing and I knew I needed to make a change.
I had been splitting my time between New York and California by that point, living the life I was groomed for in New York, yet longing for the life I dreamed of in California. So, my very first massive leap of faith was about to take place. After a year I decided to resign from the dream job, pack up my car and move to California, to Sausalito where my soul had resided even though my body crisscrossed the country. It was the first time in my life where I truly felt at peace. I had come “home”.
In order to soften the blow to those who felt I had made the biggest mistake in my life, I decided to go to graduate school at the University of San Francisco. This was I wasn’t viewed as the crazy woman who threw it all away to follow her heart to the City by the Bay. I was awarded a scholarship to USF and did quite well in my two years there, but still I wasn’t fulfilled. Then came the biggest revelation of all. I realized I wasn’t this executive with now three college degrees. I was an “ARTIST” and that took a while to fully accept.
When I turned 40 I celebrated with a group of friends at my home on the hill in Sausalito. I can still remember that day, sitting in the living room surrounded by love and laughter. One of my friends said, “Here’s to the best year of your life.” Little did I know it would be not only the best, but the worst? Little did I know at that time that I would be pregnant with my daughter while celebrating? Little did I know that a year later I would finally begin to grieve the loss of my child that I had loss through miscarriage? Little did I know that the next few years would be the truest test of my faith and strength and literally create a brand new person?
The last five years have been quite remarkable when I think about it. I became so in tune with my intuition and followed my soul’s calling each time it led me down a new road. Although I didn’t understand the calling at times, internally I knew I needed to listen, and I’m so glad I did.
So here I am now in my 46th year on this planet and beginning yet again. This time my soul has led me to the beautiful island of Coronado where I’ve fully embraced the “artist” I AM. It seems only appropriate as I begin this 8th lifetime in this incarnation that I’m currently working on my 8th book, Timing The Tides. I’m also enjoying my photography adventures and now looking to paint as well. Who knows where this will all lead? All I can say is I’m ready.
Stay tuned for next time when I may unveil some of my new creations.
Cheers!
Cali
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