Lessons from a spider bite
Another relentless reminder that sometimes, the only thing we can do is surrender
Last weekend, a brown recluse spider bit me. At least, that’s what I think it was. An excruciating visit to the ER, 4 antibiotics and several blood tests later, I still don’t have concrete answers. I’ve been sitting (literally because the wound is on my calf) in the seat of uncertainty now for 10 days.
While this is one of those life experiences I wouldn’t wish to have, I’ve been reflecting and learning a lot about myself in my process of healing. And even though it’s still too soon to understand it, I already know this will be a moment of identity expansion for me (what I call it when we’re tested to grow on a deeply personal level and we say yes to it).
I’ve always viewed injury or sickness in my life as an opportunity to stay in relationship with myself, or simply put, to focus on me and my needs. It’s my nature to care and worry about how everyone else is doing— often at the cost of myself.
The theme of this experience so far has been surrender. Surrendering to the fear of the unknown, to something getting in the way of plans I was excited about for many months, to allowing people I know and don’t know to take care of me, to slowing way down and to asking for help.
Because we don’t have to do it alone.
I’ve dedicated my entire career to solving the loneliness epidemic— A romantic matchmaker turned community builder, I have always been lit up by the absolute magic that happens when the right people meet and turn each other’s souls on. With Quilt, my last community project, I connected complete strangers through their voices alone, to share and learn from each other in live supportive conversations. It was beautiful and transformative for many, but I noticed two glaring gaps:
When we develop our relationship with ourselves, we can show up in community that much stronger.
A handful of people exist who are deeply gifted in the talent of giving guidance, but they have no good way to share that gift.
And so I’ve noticed, once again, that I am creating for the world what I know I deeply need. Our new app, Liminal, helps you release stress or boost energy through content created by wellness guides. They are the most intuitive, knowledgeable, deeply feeling humans we know who use a variety of modalities (meditation, breath work, coaching & more) to support & guide you in personal growth. Liminal Guides are those with enough experience, expertise, and deep care to help you move through your day with ease.
Focusing on myself this week, with the support of those I trust to guide me, is not only how I’m getting through a particularly trying time, but how I know I’m actively healing and growing from it in the process.
I don’t have to do it alone, I can surrender to the help of those I trust.
By embracing the personal and intimate nature of connection, we awaken the potential for similar transformations in other areas of our lives.
Continually expanding,
Ashley
P.S. Since this article on FortuneWell came out, I’ve been inspired to start matchmaking people 1:1 with guides/healers. I’d love to match you to a wellness guide for free. Just answer a few questions and I’ll introduce you directly to some of the best I know.
