Category Archives: possibility thinking

Where Does Your Voice Find Refuge?

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The news remains bleak. World peace feels elusive. History echoes with the clang of wars waged by those who crave land, power, control, dominance. Consensus crumbles beneath the weight of age-old conflicts, each side fighting to shape the world in its own image. I’ve wrestled with these heavy thoughts, searching for a flicker of hope in what often feels like overwhelming darkness. The struggle feels relentless.

Where Does Your Voice Find Refuge?
by Louise Gallagher

It is easy to stand for freedom 
when there’s no cost to stand 
blowin’ in the wind 
with the prevailing view.   

It’s easy to voice your disagreement 
with someone else’s opinion 
when there’s no consequence to your safety
for holding a different view.

But where does your voice find refuge 
when dissent is weaponized?   

What do you do when your words become 
the tool others employ 
to vilify and demonize you as ‘other’?   

Can free speech find its truth
in a world where only those opinions
acceptable to some 
are deemed worthy?

Can anyone be free
in a world where some voices are tolerated
and others are obliterated?

Can freedom survive 
when only the few use their power
to grant it to the voices who stand
singing their tune?

Perhaps there is no clear-cut answer, 
no easy path to save freedom from demise. 
But dreamers dream of freedom
leading us to hope 
that our voices rising up, 
our hands reaching across 
the words that divide us, 
will reclaim the truth: 
We are one humanity, 
no matter where we stand
or what song we sing.

Don’t Let Fear Silence Your Song.

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I joined the Island Singers last night. It’s a choir made up of people of all ages most of whom live on the island and love to sing. I was blown away by the friendliness and the quality of singing. The group’s familiarity with each other and the music created a beautiful tapestry of harmonies that swirled around me, sweet and rich like honey.

For me, though, it feels intimidating to walk into a group of experienced singers—most can read music—and let my voice be heard. My musical past is… checkered. Let’s just say my father’s insistence I play the accordion, coupled with my own teenage awkwardness, didn’t exactly foster a lifelong love of performing. Even years later, when a kind soul at a songwriting workshop offered me her accordion, my fingers fumbled on the keys, stiff and unfamiliar. Too much time, too much self-doubt.

That songwriting workshop in the early 2010’s, was the last time I sang in a choir of any sort. Lead by Eric Bibb, the incredible blues musician, I felt myself wanting to shrink into the corner when first I stepped into the music studio where the workshop was held. Surrounded by 7 professional musicans, there I stood, notebook and pen in hand, but no long list of professional musical accolades and definitely no instrument by my side, let alone the several most had with them.

And still, the community of musicians held strong, like a symonphony of chords making sweet music. They welcomed me in, put me at ease and even supported me in performing on stage the song I wrote during the workshop which Eric Bibb had set to music, “Fear Lives in her Belly”. Standing there, singing my own words, words about fear no less, was terrifying. And exhilarating. It was a glimpse of that raw, vulnerable place where true connection happens. .

Which brings me full circle back to singing with the choir. I love to sing. Mostly stopped in my teens and then, two years ago, sang in front of 250 people. At that event, I sang the same song I’d sung when I was 16, the one that only earned me more jeers and pokes from my brother. His words, like tiny daggers, had pierced my fragile teenage confidence, silencing my voice for years.

So here I am, years later, walking into the Island Singers, my heart pounding a familiar rhythm of fear. Will my voice hold up? Will I hit the right notes? Will they judge my rusty sight-reading? But there was something else too… a yearning to let that vulnerable part of me breathe. And it was in that vulnerability that I found my voice.

Surrounded by people passionate about singing and sharing song and entertaining audiences just for the sheer joy of it, confidence soared like a high note, drowning out the whispers of doubt. And in its melodious song, fear melted away, leaving a space for the quiet courage of vulnerability to emerge.

As a fellow choir member reminded me, “Sometimes I completely lose my place and have to just fake it ’til I find it again. Just keep singing along, and if you forget the words, just keep your lips moving and smile. No one will know the difference. It’s okay to not be perfect. We’re all here to support each other and just enjoy the music.”

No one will know.

No one will notice my nervousness if I keep smiling.

No one will realize my mind is devoid of the words if I keep moving my lips.

And my heart won’t dance for joy if I don’t sing and let my voice be heard.

Old Friend

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Image created by Gemini – Imagen 3
Old Friend
by Louise Gallagher

Hello, old friend. 
I see you
your shadow hunched
dark and brooding
in the mists of doubt
that crowd my mind
when I dare to step
beyond the comfort of these walls
we’ve built together
believing, they will hold me safe
from living
free
from doubt.

I sense you
my friend
lurking
withered arms outstretched
waiting
to catch me
leaning out
beyond the edges
of this uncomfortable box
I inhabit
because I hold tight
to the fear
of stretching beyond
the things I’ve always done
so that I can stay 
close to you.

I feel you 
old friend
fighting
to keep me safe
when safety is not what I need
to live 
fearlessly 
beyond this cage I’ve built
trapping me
in believing 
here
is where comfort lies.

The truth lies,
my friend,
in believing
I am alone
when I plunge 
heart first
into the unknown
because, 
the truth 
is always felt 
in your hands
on my back
ready to lift me up
when I dare 
to let go of doubt
and fly free.

Where Tomorrow Hides (a poem from where I sit)

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The muse never tires. Always present, she flows like the sea outside my window. Enduring. Always present. Always changing.

This morning, Beaumont the Sheepadoodle and I sat in silent communion with the waves gliding across the ocean surface. Mesmerized, I heeded the muse’s urgings and let time slip away as morning crept across the sky and I found myself effortlessly breathing into the pure joy of being present, wholly embodied in the now.

It is fleeting, this being embodied in the now. Busyness. Things to do. To read. To see. Places to get to. People to connect with. Rooms to organize. And still boxes to unpack. Too many. I’m tempted to tell myself to leave them unpacked and if in six months I haven’t missed anything, to let whatever is in them be released without examining the contents of each unopened box.

We shall see…

For this moment, right now, I sit in silent communion with Beau, sipping my latte, listening to Hildegard von Bingen’s ecclesiastical sounds fill the morning air. And I breathe.

Where Tomorrow Hides
by Louise Gallagher

Light stalks the darkness, 
slithering across cloud laden sky
slipping effortlessly below the far horizon 
where tomorrow hides, 
safe beyond my sight.

Here and now, mesmerized,
I sit watching undulating waves 
wash up from a gunmetal sea,
whispering stories of far away places
hidden beyond the distant edge of the world.

Tomorrow stretches, 
pregnant with cloudy mystery,
waiting beyond this realm
where I sit
watching waves wash ashore.

Mesmerized
time slips away
and I become one with the world around me.

Awakening (a poem)

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Between getting the house ready for sale and the endless stream of viewings, as well as being away for almost two weeks, life’s been a whirlwind! 😅 Like a sailor waiting for the wind, or a surfer for that perfect wave, we’re patiently (and sometimes not-so-patiently!) waiting for the right buyer to walk through our door. The uncertainty is definitely challenging, but it’s the constant “viewing ready” mode that’s truly exhausting! 🤪

And here’s the thing. Amidst the packing and clearing out, the visiting family and walking on the beach and playing with my grandchildren and baking bread for my daughter and lazing on the patio sipping wine and talking late into the night, I’ve realized that stressing about every little detail just isn’t worth it.

Life is too short to worry about fingerprints on the counters or pillows not being perfectly fluffed. I’m choosing to trust the process, and focus on living each day with passion and purpose. Cooking, laughing, and enjoying my home are back on the menu! 🥳

Because, here’s the thing… In the midst of all the chaos, I realized I have not been doing the things I know nurture and sustain me. I’ve avoided being here, writing, painting and a host of other things I love to do, that de-pressurize my state of mind, and set my heart free and my spirits soaring.

it’s time to reignite the spark! 🔥 To dream and create and explore and expand.💖

It’s time to let magic happen! ✨ It’s time to begin again and let dreams unfold and spirits rise.

Awakening

Awakening
by Louise Gallagher

Moments of sudden clarity, 
like waking from a dreamless sleep
after days spent sleepwalking, 
blind and deaf to the beauty all around.

Dark thoughts cloud the mind, 
a heavy fog obscuring the light 
beneath inertia's suffocating blanket. 
Unannounced,
a crack appears, sunlight floods in.

Warmth chases away the shadows,
fear retreats, slithering back into the darkness.
Hope blossoms in the open space,
a fragile flower pushing through the concrete.

The prison of stagnation crumbles,
the chains of self-doubt fall away.
Dreams reawaken, vibrant and alive.
No longer afraid of falling,
I rise. 
Sails full of promise, 
I soar.

The Language of the Soul

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Perhaps it’s the unwinding of memories as I declutter and organize, or the echoes of poet and philosopher David Whyte’s words echoeing in my mind from the podcast I listened to yesterday as I worked in the garage. Or, perhaps it’s simply that my focus turns inward as I sift through the outward markings of our life in this beautiful home…

Whatever the impetus, this morning was not meant for poetry. I awoke early, completed my morning puzzles (Wordle, Connections, The Mini) and embarked on the all-consuming quest for Spelling Bee Genius status. Barefoot, I made coffee, tidied the kitchen, and took Sir Beaumont for his morning saunter.

But as I sipped my latte, sitting at my desk, looking out at the river flowing past, responding to messages on my computer, the muse beckoned. I fell under her thrall. Words flowed in that space of limitless expansiveness. Two hours later, a poem was born. Heart unburdened, now it’s time to return to the task of decluttering.

Those two hours were not lost time in preparing our house for market. They were overflowing with soulful nourishment, soothing the edges of sadness as we leave this beloved home and our wonderful community here and fueling the excitement for our next adventure—into the mists of the known and unknown.

Life is an incredible journey when I listen to my heart, live with soul, and weave creativity into everything I do.

Namaste

Start Here

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Start Here
by Louise Gallagher

Start here, 
right where you stand, 
feet firmly planted
on the threadbare rug of your living room, 
close in 
to this space you occupy, 
with weary familiarity
surrounded by the clutter and quiet comfort, 
of your constant yearning 
for tomorrow to rescue you, 
from this place where you stand, 
surrounded by the books you haven't read, 
the stories you haven’t lived,
the paints still drying on the palette, 
and you, still wishing for change.

Change doesn't arrive with the turning of a calendar page, 
it comes close in to your choosing 
to begin right here, 
in this space you occupy,
where the sun struggles to peek through the blinds, 
where tomorrow's light is hidden, 
where rose-pink streamers of dawn remain unfurled 
because you haven't yet started 
here, 
where you stand, 
feet firmly planted
on the threadbare rug of your living room, 
waiting for tomorrow.

Finding Self-Love, Forgiveness and Healing After a Toxic Relationship

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In my MasterClass – RADIANT BOLD AGING, I share what I’ve learned about the power of forgiveness and self-compassion and love in having triumped over an abuse relationship that set me free to love myself completely.

Through a very toxic relationship, I learned that self-hatred is the enemy of freedom, self- denial the path to peridition.

When I escaped that relationship, my priority was to heal myself so I could repair and reclaim the bonds I’d broken with my daughters. Over the almost five years of that relationship, I’d caused them immense pain and betrayed their trust.

In my MC, I share how, while it was easy to want to blame my ex-partner for everything, I knew I was accountable for my actions. The path to regaining their trust and forgiveness started with forgiving myself so that I could be 100% accountable for the pain I’d caused them.

This was a difficult step because I wanted it to be ‘all his fault’. Fact is, to heal myself and my relationship with my daughters, I had to step into my own agency. So, I made a conscious decision to simplify the process of forgiving myself. I repeatedly told myself, “I forgive myself,” without any qualifications or dwelling on past mistakes. It was liberating to let go of the guilt and shame.

Similarly, when thoughts of abuser resurfaced (which in those first heady days of freedom they frequently did), I mentally put up stop signs and redirected my focus to healing and creating a positive future.

The journey to healing wasn’t linear. There were setbacks and moments of doubt, but with each step, I fell deeper and deeper in love with myself AND rekindled the love and connection with my daughters.

Healing is ongoing, and the past still holds some influence in our unconscious, even when we think ‘we’re done with that’. Triggers can emerge enexpectedly. The power is in choosing to step into ‘the mess’ to heal the broken places triggers reveal. I’ve learned to navigate those spaces with forgiveness and self-compassion.

That relationship, though awful for my family and the friends who loved me, strengthened me, my daughters, and all my relationships. My daughter once shared that she didn’t regret it, as it ultimately made us stronger. I agree.

A few years ago, my eldest daughter and I shared our story of healing at a conference. It was challenging but also incredibly rewarding. It was a reminder that I can’t change the past, but I can choose to ‘let it be’ and shape a positive future through forgiveness and love.

This journey taught me to stop seeking fairy tales and to believe in myself. I learned that dreams can come true when we embrace truth, dignity, kindness, and forgiveness.

Most importantly, I discovered the importance of letting go of self-doubt and falling in love with ourselves and our lives.

If you’re interested in falling in love with yourself, in igniting your passion for living free of the past, and instilling more fun and joy into your everyday, join me at RADIANT BOLD AGING, June 7, 10-11:30 am (MT). It’s free and online — you can come as you are — in your pajamas or ball gown!

I hope to see you there.

Does What You Learned in Your Youth Serve You Today?

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As we grow older, we often realize that some of the lessons and advice we received in our youth don’t serve us as well as we thought. Until we are courageous enough to explore these messages, we may find ourselves repeating patterns that no longer benefit us.

Take my experience, for instance. Growing up, my mother always emphasized being ‘nice,’ even when others were rude or unkind. The underlying message was to never express my true feelings. As a result, I often tolerated unacceptable behavior. It wasn’t until later in life that I learned the importance of setting clear boundaries and speaking my truth with kindness. This not only teaches others how to treat us but also ensures we don’t accept the unacceptable as acceptable.

These early lessons can impact us in many areas of our lives, such as:

  • In Our Relationships: Not being able to speak our truth can lead to resentment and misunderstandings in our relationships. When we suppress our true feelings to keep the peace or be ‘nice,’ we may end up feeling unvalued and resentful. This can create a cycle of dissatisfaction and conflict, undermining the very relationships we are trying to preserve.
  • In Our Schooling: These lessons can keep us underachieving, not reaching our full potential because we don’t believe we’re capable or deserving. On the other hand, they might push us to overachieve, striving for perfection and setting ourselves up for a life filled with constant stress and anxiety.
  • In Our Careers: Not standing up for ourselves or setting clear boundaries can hold us back from achieving the success we desire. We might not advocate for the raises or promotions we deserve, or we might take on too much work to please others, leading to burnout.

The key to breaking these patterns is courage. We need to be brave enough to question and explore these messages from our past. Only then can we begin to reshape them into healthier, more empowering beliefs.This journey of exploration and growth is a key focus of my program, “The ReWrite Journey.” In this course, we delve into our lifelines and explore the values and beliefs we formed based on our experiences. We then examine how the decisions we made in the ‘there and then’ shape our lives and can become limiting in the ‘here and now’ if they are not aligned with our true values. For instance, I believe in kindness, but without setting clear boundaries that respected me, I ended up feeling frustrated and disrespected, because the core underlying belief I’d unintentionally learned in childhood was, ‘my voice doesn’t matter’ Aka – I don’t matter.

By understanding and realigning our beliefs, we can create a life that honours our true values and supports our well-being.

So, there’s the invitation–What’s one piece of advice or wisdom you received in your childhood or teenage years that, in hindsight, turned out to be less helpful or even misguided? How has recognizing and addressing this affected your life? I invite you to share your experiences in the comments below — when we share our courage to be brave and vulnerable, we inspire others to take the journey of growth and self-discovery.

If you’re interested in exploring these concepts further, I invite you to chat with me about “The ReWrite Journey.” I’ve just begun with a new cohort but it’s not too late to join the journey! All things are possible when we uncover the beliefs holding us back and rewrite them to align with our true values, so that we can live a more empowered and fulfilling life.

Change: Are you willing?

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This morning, in the quiet of meditation, a profound question surfaced. “Aside from what Mother Nature creates, everything else on this planet Earth that we call our home has been built by humankind. If we don’t like what we’ve created, what are we willing to do to change it?”

We live in a world that is largely our own creation – a complex tapestry woven from the threads of human ingenuity, creativity, and ambition. It’s in our nature to be creators. From the simplest of tools used by our ancestors to the sophisticated technologies of more recent decades, we have always found ways to shape the world around us, molding it to better serve our needs, desires and aspirations.

Yet, our creations aren’t always perfect. We’ve built towering cities that touch the sky, but at the cost of pristine forests and ecosystems. We’ve developed incredible technologies that connect us instantaneously, yet we often feel more isolated than ever. We’ve striven for efficiency and convenience, only to find ourselves bound by the chains of consumerism, a consumerism that too often gives rise to a deep-seated dissatisfaction with what we have, and what we have not.

Which brings me back to the question that arose in my meditation. “What are we willing to do when we don’t like what we’ve built?”

It’s not an easy thought. There are parts of me that are willing to let go of things, ways of doing and being that don’t serve the world. But, let’s be honest here, there are also parts that don’t want to let go of the things that make my life easier. The things I really like. Like electricity, driving my car, flying places, new clothes, a well-stocked fridge, a mindset of discarding things I don’t need only to replace them by ‘newer, better, bigger’..

This morning as I gaze out at a perfect blue sky day, I wonder, “What am I truly willing to change?”

In August, C.C. and I will be driving to the west coast to visit family and friends. Taking gifts for my grandchildren fills my heart with joy. Yet, they already have a wealth of toys, books, clothes, THINGS. Am I willing to forgo my consumerism to simpy be present within the joy of our connection?

Am I willing to change for the better of the planet?

Given the state of the world today, do I have a choice not to?

Embracing the idea of change can feel unsettling, but it’s crucial for our planet today, and for my peace of mind.

In this world of floods, raging wildfires, war, hunger and starvation, isn’t it time to challenge the status quo and push our boundaries? Isn’t it time we all advocate for sustainable practices to conserve our environment, promote genuine human connection over virtual interactions, or resist the incessant pull of mindless consumerism?

If not now, when?

Individually, there is a lot we can each do. And if we each start doing similar things, we have a chance to create collective action that does make a difference. Because, the kind of changes Planet Earth needs us to make do not occur in isolation. It’s going to take a collaborative effort, requiring us to bridge our differences, pool our resources, and unify our goals. It may demand sacrifices and require us to forgo certain comforts, but if the end goal is a world that is sustainable, a world that aligns more closely with our true desires for life on earth, then the effort is surely worth it.

Which brings me back to the question that arose from my meditation: What are we willing to do to change the world we’ve built if we don’t like it?

It is not just a passing thought. It’s an urgent call to action. If we can learn anything from our past, it’s that we are the architects of our own reality. We have the power to dismantle the structures we’ve built and create something far better in its stead.

Our willingness to change is the first step towards a more harmonious and sustainable future.

Are you willing?

Namaste