Category: Transition

10/14/2018

Touched in Sedona

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In March 2014, I navigated solo 2,500 miles across the country, unloaded a 16-foot moving van and began settling into my new home in sedona. DURING THIS TIME, FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACHED OUT TO ASK HOW I WAS ADAPTING TO MY NEW ENVIRONMENT.

Was I okay? Feeling happy? Making friends? Fitting in?

In his email to me, my father shared a touching anecdote that made me smile ...

Dear daughter, do you feel touched? Good, because I have been reaching out to you! Seriously, I've been thinking about you a lot here lately. I know it takes a lot of grit to remain happy and content when you make such changes in your life, location and probably lifestyle, as you recently have. I'm sure you're making new friends and trying to stay busy. Just keep it up is all I can say.

I once read a brief story about a young wife who accompanied her husband in the military service during WW2. They were transferred from New York to some place in the Arizona desert. The girl wrote her father a long letter filled with complaints about the discomforts, heat, and so on in Arizona. Her dad replied with just a few words:

"Two men looked through prison bars. One saw mud. The other saw stars.”

The girl said that when she read that letter, she made up her mind to start exploring something new every day. She began to learn about desert flowers, Indian reservations, local customs, etc. Wasn't long before she came to love that place.

I guess it all comes back to being able to adjust to circumstances.

I hope you're doing well, and that all things are good with you. Much Love, Dad

I thanked Pop for sharing this anecdote and told him, "Yes, I feel 'touched'... considering I live so close to Sedona’s energy vortexes!"

Bringing Pop up-to-date, I remarked that I'd been squeezing minutes to accomplish copious must-dos intrinsic in settling into a new home. Simultaneously, I was carving out time to embrace new experiences — from awe-inspiring hikes and outings to intriguing lectures and events.

I was also taking time out to be still and just do nothing, breathing in the experience of being in Sedona.

"My initial impression is that Sedona is a place where mystical things can happen if one has an open mind and an open heart," I explained.

People are drawn here for similar reasons, just as I was. While I sensed this chapter in my life would spur transformational growth, my quest was to ponder Sedona's energy from a grounded perspective, rather than allowing myself to be sucked up into a mythical mothership.

For me, staying grounded is a challenge in a place like Sedona — which brings me to the backstory about Christopher Loren and his unSpirituality.com crusade ....

❤ v!ctor!a colette

COMMENTS

Christopher

5/19/2014 02:29:47 pm

Oh, nice blog and welcome to this beautiful place. I can sense in your writing and web presence someone interesting. I bet you have some very interesting stories and adventures to share...... Sounds like a good reason to go on a hike......what works for you?

Interesting that you are writing about your life because I have started the same process. I get the sense you are in a GREAT, unfolding, inspiring and significant place and I am happy to be gleaned from if I can offer anything at unspirituality.com

Christopher Loren

Pop

I've read most of your new web site but not all because there is just too much information! What happened to your question to me years ago: "Dad, can you tell me in 25 words or less?"

:-) Much love, Dad

v!ctor!a

5/12/2014 01:58:24 am

Too funny, Pop! Blogs are for backstories, so you won't find anything less than 25 words posted here. But if you want to glean from what's on my mind in 140 characters or less, you can sleuth my Twitter feed!~ love, v!ctor!a

Patrick

5/14/2014 10:19:48 am

Wow Victoria! Your new website is terrific, absolutely love it. Did you take the photographs? If so you can add photographer to your extensive resume.

Your beautiful hiking stick is a piece of art. But if you carried on the street in Washington DC you would be surrounded by a swat team before you reached the end of the block.

Sincerely,
Patrick ("Island Boy")

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4/22/2018

Shift to Sedona

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In March 2014, I settled into NEW DIGS in Sedona’s TRANQUIL Village of Oak Creek, referred to by locals as “the Village” or “VOC.”

Those who’ve maneuvered the curves and roundabouts of State Route 179 know that Red Rock Scenic Byway is one of the world’s most spectacular scenic routes. When I wasn't cruising those byways in my sunshine yellow VW Beetle — sun roof open, hair flying about my face — I gazed out the windows of my southwestern-style villa, appreciating breathtaking vistas.

In 10 minutes or less, I could surmount the summit of a splendorous, prehistoric red-rock formation that sloped into my street, about 200 paces from my front door. And my home was less than five minutes from the famed Bell Rock, believed by psychic healers and spiritualists to be a gateway to other dimensions. (There's another backstory there....)

Surrounded by this energy, it felt as if I'd relocated to a different planet, leaving DC in the concrete dust. I hadn't watched CNN in weeks and I didn't miss anything about my former home on Capitol Hill. Flanked by striking vistas of pinion-covered Coconino National Forest and Arizona desert buttes, I preferred the view and the vibe from this vantage point. When I wasn't out forging new trails, discovering new interests and making new acquaintances, I rambled around my 1,850 square-foot, three-bedroom abode, which seemed spacious compared with my prior petite city dwelling in D.C.

From the front door of my Capitol Hill condo, I walked seven paces to reach my tiny bedroom. In this new "villa in the Village," 40 steps marked the passage from the front door to a roomy en suite. Along the way, I admired the open floor plan of the living room, kitchen, dining room and wet bar. A vast cathedral ceiling canopied this space, where sunlight streamed from two large windows, and sliding glass doors led to a secluded sandstone patio. Turning into winged hallways, I passed my office with its whimsical rounded windows framing a splendorous southerly view. Next to that was a spare bedroom for visiting guests, along with the guest bathroom. On the north side of my villa, et voila, my sizable chambre à coucher.

In the evening, with the press of a remote-control button, an artistically arranged assortment of battery-operated candles flickered in my fireplace. At day's end, I strolled outside to watch an awesome show as the sinking sun seemed to set the red rocks afire. And when darkness painted the sky, I gazed up at a brilliant canvas painted with shimmering swirls of the galaxy — listening to the hoots of owls along with the yips and yowls of coyote.

Each morning, Arizona’s glorious sunshine lured me outside. Settling into cushioned outdoor furniture, it was a serene setting to relax and breathe in the scent of roses, irises and lavender blooming in my flower gardens as I practiced my new mantra: "Don't just do something — sit there!"

Still, I felt a sense of eagerness to move forward, checking all the boxes intrinsic in my cross-country relocation. And as I sat at my desk chronicling experiences for my book, ideas and words flowed like a wash during monsoon season.

Simultaneously, I felt compelled to curb the deadline-driven mindset that propelled me during the past decade. So, twice a week, I hiked with friends and attended lectures or events that boggle the mind. I continued to meet interesting and interested people, many of whom I entertained in my home.

As a new acquaintance observed, "It seems Sedona is welcoming you in and you will be very productive here. With all that being said, I know living in Sedona you receive a lot of invitations, so I honor your focus of keeping your mind set on your book. Let your spirit lead you, and have fun!"

❤ v!ctor!a colette

COMMENTS

Bill

5/22/2014

Ahhhh! A big loving hug to you, Victoria

Scott

5/22/2014

Hey QV ... YOU are a source of inspiration!

We do choose our perspective, and choices now determine our trajectory. I forget this (a lot) but your emails and blog harken it back.

Glen

5/25/2014

Hi Victoria, I spent some time on your site and it looks fabulous. Sometimes people need a COMPLETE change in life and it looks like you have made a change that is working well for you!

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2/15/2018

The Heart-Shaped Rock

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During summer 2013, my friend m!nx!e from the Midwest trekked to Sedona with her sister. For my birthday that September, m!nx!e created a travel brochure just for me that artfully pictured Sedona landscapes and chronicled their adventures there.

I was intrigued by the way m!nx!e described their hike in Boynton Canyon vortex, during which a kindhearted hiker appeared out of nowhere and gave them heart-shaped rocks. "He told us that we take the energy back with us and that it will always be with us," m!nx!e wrote, explaining the concept of Sedona’s potent vortex energy.

Enclosed with the brochure she created for me, m!nx!e gifted me with a red rock she picked up during her hike in Boynton Canyon. She'd taken the stone home and asked her husband stuART to whittle it into a heart shape for me. For several months, that rock sat vibrating on my desk as I wrestled with the vicissitudes of life in America's capital city. All the while, I was clueless about the rock's energy and spiritual significance.

During that six months, a series of events compelled me to move to Sedona. When I announced that intent, m!nxie told me, "I hoped the positive energy I sent in the form of the rock would take root for you while you were still on Capitol Hill. But I guess you do have to open yourself to it. And maybe the energy just isn’t transferable. Or maybe you just had to journey through all that other stuff first."

In retrospect, if "all that other stuff" hadn't happened, I probably would not have opened my mind to other possibilities elsewhere. And as the details of my relocation fell magically in place, the heart-shaped stone played a mystical part.

Five years have passed since m!nx!e picked up that rock for me in Sedona's Boynton Canyon, where I frequently hiked while living in Sedona. Since then, I've relocated several times and currently reside in the southern foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. In May 2018, I took a road trip to Sedona and hiked again in Boynton Canyon, where my paths crossed with m!nxie's kindhearted hiker. His name is Robert Sechrengost and he is actually a bit of a celebrity in Sedona. (I previously met Robert when I lived there.) Since 2010, Robert (born in 1952) has been handing out his heart-shaped rocks to hikers and playing his Native American flute atop Sedona's red rock vortex spires.

As I reached Boynton Canyon Vista trailhead, I could hear Robert playing his flute. When I reached the summit, I found a safe perch on the rocky ledge, cradled within the exposed, brawny roots of a twisted Juniper tree. I watched in awe as Robert balanced cross-legged atop the rock formation known as "Kachina Woman" and played his melodious flute tunes. Later, Robert scrambled down from the formation and gifted me with a heart rock that, as he explains it, "embodies the energy of the vortex and represent unconditional love."

Yet again, I find joy and inspiration from these heart-shaped "milestones" that likewise inspired Happiness on the Rocks.

❤ v!ctor!a colette ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

3 Comments

Touched in Sedona

In March 2014, I navigated solo 2,500 miles across the country, unloaded a 16-foot moving van and began settling into my new home in sedona. DURING THIS TIME, FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACHED OUT TO ASK HOW I WAS ADAPTING TO MY NEW ENVIRONMENT. ​ ​

Shift to Sedona

In March 2014, I settled into NEW DIGS in Sedona’s TRANQUIL Village of Oak Creek, referred to by locals as “the Village” or “VOC.” ​

The Heart-Shaped Rock

During summer 2013, my friend m!nx!e from the Midwest trekked to Sedona with her sister. For my birthday that September, m!nx!e created a travel brochure just for me that artfully pictured Sedona landscapes and chronicled their adventures there. ​

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In March 2014, I navigated solo 2,500 miles across the country, unloaded a 16-foot moving van and began settling into my new home in sedona. DURING THIS TIME, FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACHED OUT TO ASK HOW I WAS ADAPTING TO MY NEW ENVIRONMENT.

In March 2014, I settled into NEW DIGS in Sedona’s TRANQUIL Village of Oak Creek, referred to by locals as “the Village” or “VOC.”

During summer 2013, my friend m!nx!e from the Midwest trekked to Sedona with her sister. For my birthday that September, m!nx!e created a travel brochure just for me that artfully pictured Sedona landscapes and chronicled their adventures there.