CHOLLA AT ME
New Mexico
~ Written Word of the Soul ~
Self-Love
Self-love is the essence
The spine to excellent existence
Without it there is no presence
To bring forth the evidence
That is the only way…
To find love and better ourselves.
Soul-Scribed Essay
Honor Thy Process
I used to say all the time - “trust the process.” Well, I still do. As a right-brain leaning man, this specific phrase always resonated with me because it acted as a guide and simplified things, washing away any over-analytical pesky thoughts. Through this mentality, I surrendered to “just letting it happen" and not “forcing things” - where it usually worked out. Let me share a brief example so you know I’m not talking out of my butt, and give some context.
When Colorado-based cousin Kelly Worthington moved from cornhusker Nebraska, we would go back-and-forth about scheduling a meetup to hike. After a plan here failed, a flake over there - it seemed like it just wasn’t in the cards. She was busy getting into Denver, while I was still rampaging around the city trying to find my niche. “Oh well”, I thought, “It wasn’t meant to be.”
The universe had other plans. Unexpectedly, one day out hiking the Boulder flatirons with my buddy Michael Milligan and his girl, guess who we ran into on the exact trail? Yep, you guessed it - Kelly Worthington. She was coming down as we were ascending, traversing each other on the trail. It was truly EPIC. She willingly joined us, and we headed up together as a new crew.
Sidenote: I will have to share the story how I re-connected with Michael Milligan (hiking buddy) - as he also grew up in Tulsa and we used to hangout in high school… Very similar scenario, where some “law of attraction” brought us together by “chance” or “coincidence.”
Kelly and I vibing on the rocks as we finally connected for a hike!
Alright, so the phrase “trust the process” is powerful - yet also vague. My brother, Blake, would harp back every time I muttered these words - sternly requesting deeper explanation, clear direction or some equation to map it (life) all out. Sometimes, I’d run out of words, and just look over, shrug and say it again - “trust the process!” He was not amused.
Lately though, I’ve been getting deeper… there truly are levels to life. I like to call them the “swirling staircases of life” - where each full 360 circle ascending upward represents a new “level,” or state of consciousness.
Well, one of these ‘rising flights of stairs’ lies herein! Thus, upgrading the original phrase from “trust the process” to the iconic phrase, HONOR THY PROCESS. (I added “thy” because it feels more just and powerful).
To me, honor means a sacred bowing to a higher power, to God, the universe and all greater things that are much bigger than us. It is a righteous and just surrender to the frequency of life’s natural state - for all its inevitable ups and downs, peaks and troughs. It carries more weight for honest commitment, intentional action, and a universal faith that all will come that is meant to materialize.
Additionally, honoring means “not playing with your food,” or, waiting around for something to happen. Honor means to be about it - to show up, to get into it, no matter what. And if you think about it, that’s what the “process” literally means - spinning the wheel with motion, action, and energy. Without movement, there is no process. This is why “honor” (to me) - pairs so well with it.
Talk the talk - then walk that walk. BE about it, lean in, engage.
Let me share a quick excerpt of real, personal experience from this past week that backs up the reason why a phrase like “honor the process” is so important.
It was “one of those days” - rough, rugged and restless within haunted by gut-wrenching feeling that I am behind, failing and losing the battle. I was quick to judge myself on what I wasn’t doing, and what I needed to stop doing - simultaneously. What a racket!! How am I supposed to feel remotely okay when I’m caving the walls on my own self? From an objective view, it’s quite incredible how far the punches reach when it’s at our own face. All the sudden, self-harm becomes second-nature, as easy as breaking a toothpick and the negativity can pour on ourselves like a 100-foot waterfall - heavy as can be.
Regardless, we all have to find our way back to the light; to disperse the doubt, darkness, and dungy substance that is polluting our peace. It cannot stay, it will not stay, put that bullshit away! The refresher here was found sitting amongst the stars with my fiancée, Molly, beneath a Juniper tree out in the country of Pecos (outside Santa Fe). We talked through the blockages slowly releasing the angst within, refurbishing the feeling “I will win.”
On the flip, after a well-executed day crafted with play and organic flow, new ideas and positive energy refueled the tank. Transcending the previous woes and worries, I recognized how far I’d come, to here and now. To the present (God’s gift to us, every day).
The chimes were singing the hymn of how I really am building THIS. How, 3 years ago my dad tragically passed, where I crossed my heart with a promise to “give it all back” - to build a community, platform, brand to represent what Steve stood for - fun, openness, connection and biggg belly laughs. Thus, here we are, now. That’s truly a gift, and not just a fancy spin on the word. Then, it seemed like a distant dream of fantasy and well-wishes. But now, the shape is gradually materializing the way a tree begins to grow bark, forming a solid material that cannot be broken:
Honor Thy Process.
Conclusion: Don’t you EVER forget what a badass you are. You - yes you - have been through battles another person may have folded altogether. Give credit where it’s due, and keep pushing to do YOU. The world needs everyone to be the most authentic versions of themselves more than ever now, and that’s what this is all about.
CHOLLA AT ME BABY!
FROM THE MOUNTAINS
THE REPORT:
SIGHTINGS:
THE Cholla cactus - live and well on a side-trail in the midst of Santa Fe! (I tried taking photos with it, but it kept poking me)! It really does live up to its name… “jumping cactus”
Happenings:
Fiesta de Santa Fe — Sept. 5–13 · Santa Fe Plaza
The 314th. Nine days of parades, processions, mariachi, food vendors and dancing on and around the Plaza. One of the oldest continuously celebrated community festivals in the country. FULL SCHEDULE
Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown - Sept. 13 - Santa Fe Brewing Company - Drink beer and eat burgers -FUN! ediblesmackdown.com
Taos Fall Arts Festival - Sept. 18- Oct. 4 - Taos
Artists, in a world-renowned artistic area, getting after it! taosfallarts.com
Michael Hearne's Big Barn Dance — Sept. 10–12 · Taos (Art Stroll Sept 9)
Twenty-plus years running. Songwriters in the round, under the Sangre de Cristos, with a cool crowd pulling up to vibe out. As close to a Taos institution as live music gets! LINEUP & TICKETS
High Road Art Tour - Sept. 19/20 + 26/27 (b2b weekends) - from Santa Fe to Taos - art studios opening along the High Road (epic scenery drive). Take a drive and appreciate southwestern art inspired by the Rio Grande! highroadnewmexico.com
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta - Sept. 22 - 27 - Santa Fe - a TON of wineries pop open and bring their finest concoctions to the fold. Did you know there’s wineries in New Mexico?! santafewineandchile.org
Music in the Park - Sept. 26 - Red River - it’s a free show, in the beautiful aspen-yellow changing mountains. What more do you need in life? 4kredriver.com
Quick Vibe-Check:
All writing is true. No AI used AT ALL (not even editing). The poems all come from the heart and soul, and I’m incredibly grateful to share them with you, here.
I’m looking to collaborate with you and everyone who wants to contribute.
Goal: bring in more writing from other sources to mix it up, share perspectives that can be of benefit.
Stay tuned…
Still cooking, working on getting our first event off the ground. Much more in the works.
A genuine, THANK YOU - for being here.
