Welcome to Hope Sparks Substack.
This week I’m diving into :
Radiance. Tons tucked in this word.
September is knocking. Will you answer?
Spotlight - my upcoming Women’s Coaching Group - WEvolve Collective
That radiance you’ve always carried with you.
I’ve always loved that word.
Radiance - the light or heat as emitted or reflected by something.
Over the past 10 years, I have found all manner of ways to open the door to my own radiance. When the door opens—beaming light and lurking shadows culminate and shimmer. Even better, when my radiance is reflected back by someone else, I catch a whiff of it’s flavour.
It stops me in my tracks. It feels like home. It feels…like me.
A few people have shared my radiance is flowing more freely this summer. They’ve noted a raw wildness. A slip of messiness. A particular shine.
I laughed it off at first. Almost making light of it. Yes, doubting their reflection.
Then I found myself answering, “I guess it’s because I’m having a love affair with myself”. My cheeks usually blush when I say this. It’s like my whole body is siphoning a little bit more of my wildness out into the open.
How did I come to let that cat out of the bag at 46 years of age?
Back to radiance. There are a lot of layers to radiance. And all layers matter.
Yet, that’s not what I was taught, or shown.
The vulnerable radiant parts, the darker radiant bits, the not pretty stuff—that wasn’t what other people wanted to see. This was the dominant message hardwired in me (and many of us). So, for much of my life, I made sure to keep them tidy. Away from view.
Tucked inside.
The thing is, when you tuck too much of your real self inside, a ball forms. It gets heavy and dims your radiance. Oh, and it can also cause a ricochet of stomach problems. Believe you me, I had decades of tummy troubles to prove this point. Maybe you have your own storage spot for your ball?
Ten years ago was my radiance realization. The tight ball in my tummy was too great to bare. The build up of keeping myself tucked caused a cascade of physiological and emotional reactions. I remember my beloved brother looked me straight in the eyes, and said “Hopey, who’s life do you want to be living? Yours, or everyone else’s?”.
Something snapped in me. His words landed.
The turning point came when I reached a breaking point. Overwhelmed by the monotony of a fairly conventional life, feeling like I was on auto pilot, living unconsciously, I knew I had to make a change. I couldn't continue down a path that stifled my creativity and left me feeling unfulfilled. That's when I made a decision.
To let my radiance beam out, unapologetically. Whenever possible.
This set me on a wild path of unknown. It opened doors, set me loose and tousled new possibilities to the fore.
Do you know what? This is not a one-girl radiance show. The more I let my radiance out—dark, light, messy, and flashing, it acts like a beacon to pull other radiant humans into my orbit. We get to shine together.
This collective radiance lights up a room. Try it.
If you’re even a little bit curious to explore what this could be like for you, I’m here to support.
xHopey
The bell and the blackbird - by David Whyte
The sound of a bell
Still reverberating,
or a blackbird calling
from a corner of the field,
asking you to wake
into this life,
or inviting you deeper
into the one that waits.
Either way
takes courage,
either way wants you
to be nothing
but that self that
is no self at all,
wants you to walk
to the place
where you find
you already know
how to give
every last thing
away.
The approach
that is also
the meeting
itself,
without any
meeting
at all.
That radiance
you have always
carried with you
as you walk
both alone
and completely
accompanied
in friendship
by every corner
of creation
crying
Allelujah.
Letting your radiance shine
I don’t want to keep these all to myself. Here are a few tried and tested ways in to let your radiance reveal itself.
I love Tarot card: pulling cards (like this Poet) on the daily helps me to let whatever radiance needs to spill out. My favourite deck is Kim Krans. Stunningly illustrated. Devastatingly well written. Her Archetype cards are my current crush. Tarot helps me squeeze questions to the fore like few other solo activities.
Embrace Vulnerability: Share your true thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment. It’s not easy at first. But, by embracing vulnerability, you invite deeper connections and cultivate a sense of authenticity that shines brightly. Sharing in the safety of a loving space or collective can do wonders to usher your radiance out of its cave.
Cultivate Inner Stillness: Take time each day to cultivate moments of quiet reflection (even 5 minutes will do)—through meditation, journaling, or simply sitting in silence. By nurturing your inner stillness, you create space for your radiance to emerge and illuminate from within.
*I often read this book The Pivot Year, opening a random page to find words strike a chord.
Honor Your Passions: Pay attention to what brings you joy and fulfillment in life, and actively pursue those passions. Whether it's creative expression, outdoor adventures, or relationships that move you, engaging in activities that ignite your soul allows your radiance to shine brightly. Embrace the things that light you up and infuse your life with purpose and enthusiasm.
Practice Gratitude and Generosity: Tell people how you feel. Regularly. Share appreciation for the bright spots and challenges that have shaped you. When you can seek opportunities to give back to your community and uplift those around you. This ripple will have far reaching impact…aka radiance:)
WEvolve Collective - a radiance revealer in three months
Last year, I took a chance. I created, curated and supported my first ALL women’s coaching group. I called it WEvolve Collective. A move from ME to WE for women who felt the call to build self-awareness, connection, inspiration and activation in their one precious life.
I now realize this magical collective is a radiance generator.
All 12 of our WEvolve Collective participants joined feeling foggy, a bit stuck—caught between who they were in their lives, and who they knew they could be. By the end of our 12-week journey, these women had not only found clarity and direction but also reignited radiance they thought was lost.
Yes, by the end of three months, they were beaming from the inside out by practicing being held in their radiance.
If YOU are curious about creating real, tangible radiance in your life. If you’re feeling that same need to shift, to evolve, to step into your potential, I invite you to join us this September. I am opening the doors to my second WEvolve Collective. Back by demand.
And if you don’t even know what your radiance is…even more reason to join.
What part of your life are you ready to transform? Share in the comments below.
👉 Explore WEvolve Collective - doors open for registration next week!
See you next week. If you enjoyed this read, please invite your friends.
In your corner,
With love,
Hope
Loved your symphony of words Hope! Reading your newsletter created a peaceful place inside of me!
Your Soul Sister Daniela
Ahhhh, time opened up for me to read your latest newsletter. Your words and energy are jumping out like wildfire. I love - “It’s like my whole body is siphoning a little bit more of my wildness out into the open.” This is how I am beginning to feel and it's a real treat! I can't wait for the WeVolve group to begin and maybe deepen what it all means for me in my life today. Thank you sister. You are truly a joy.