Mulch Milestone

​Marking the four-month milestone of my transition from a petite condo on DC's Capitol Hill to a spacious villa in Sedona's Village of Oak Creek, I purchased multiple bags of mulch and spent several hours pampering posies with rich, composted soil.
​

​As I pruned roses and plucked encroaching weeds from the flower gardens, a surge of gratitude flowed through my fingers. My thoughts drifted back to late January, when I begrudgingly observed my eight-year anniversary as a city dweller in America's capital city. There, in the gloomy shadow of the Washington monument, I had minimal space and little time for gardening. And yet, metaphorically speaking, the landscape of my life begged to be weeded.

Remarking on my Tweet about this milestone, my Capitol Hill lobbyist friend Andrew joked that when I lived in DC, "One could say that when it came to gardening, you left mulch to be desired!" ​
​

---

More mindfully phrased in Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are: 
​

​“Just as a garden requires attending to if we hope to cultivate flowers and not have it become overrun with weeds, mindfulness also requires regular cultivating. We call the cultivating of our own mind to bring it to wakefulness meditation. The beauty of it is that we carry this garden with us, wherever we go, wherever we are, whenever we remember.”

​Pondering my transition from the negative vortex of Capitol Hill to the vibrant energy of Sedona's red rocks, I recalled the series of events that prompted my shift in consciousness and the deepening of my spiritual awareness ...

Geographically, the urban lifestyle I once loved left me weary and frustrated. Mentally, physically and emotionally, I was burned out from years of dedicated public service to not-for-profit, academic, corporate, and government organizations. Add to this scenario the impact of living just two blocks from the U.S. Capitol. These negative vibrational realities compelled me to reassess aspects I erstwhile appreciated about my life in DC.

During this time, my daughter Alecia suggested it might be time for a vision quest. “For a long time, I’ve been thinking perhaps your self-identity is too attached to your ‘backstory’ as the city girl who came Full Circle from France and now owns a condo on Capitol Hill,” Alecia mused.

This resonated with me because for weeks, I’d been rethinking my reasons for living in DC. So after extensive research, heart-to-hearts with close friends and colleagues, and hours of mindful meditation, I began to envision ways to "get into the vortex" as articulated by Abraham-Hicks.

Deciding what I didn't want, I envisioned what I did want — focusing instead on the JOY of that outcome and the greatest good of whatever that may bring. Deliberately recreating a new reality in my thoughts, I began to manifest the results of those realigned vibrations.

To fund my shift to Sedona, I dipped into my nest egg. That reminded me of a film my late husband Lenny and I loved. Entitled Lost in America, it chronicled the adventures of a yuppie couple (portrayed by Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty) who became fed up with society, liquidated their assets, purchased an RV and headed west to "touch Indians." Their first mistake was stopping in Las Vegas, where the wife gambled away their nest egg.
​

Contemplating the concept of losing my nest egg, I initially considered other options. I was gratified that the resale value of my Capitol Hill condo had significantly appreciated during my years of ownership and knew it would continue to if I held onto it. But rather than subletting, I chose to spare myself the angst of dealing with DC's bureaucratic rental housing authorities and the toxic, corrupt condominium HOA board that ruled that roost.

Within 24 hours of listing my condo for sale, I received free, positive publicity on DC's premier real estate blog. In the story composed by the Urban Turf writer, my home was described as "a vibrant, Francophile-renovated one-bedroom on Capitol Hill that may be the most colorful listing on the market." That story led to copious showing requests and four desirable offers.  I accepted the contract submitted by an artsy couple who fell in love with my condo and the backstories behind my renovation. A week later, I rented a villa in Sedona's Village of Oak Creek.

​
While packing my possessions in preparation for my cross-country relocation, I ran across the book Wherever You Go, There You Are. Turning the cover, I smiled to read the benefactor’s inscription, scripted in curvaceous calligraphy:

"v!ctor!a! A little something for your journey. May it sustain you. May it nourish you. May it guide you. But most of all may it bring you peace and joy. With love, Barry ~ February 14th 2002

My former British lover had given me this book to read before my first trek to Arizona more than a decade ago, when I visited my sister who was then living in Tucson. During that sojourn, I wanted to visit Sedona. Instead, we stayed in a cabin in the White Mountains. During a side trip down Route 66, we toured the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. But we never made it to Sedona.

As it turned out, a heart-shaped rock was the catalyst for my Sedona relocation in 2014. Yet even as the details for my shift to Sedona fell magically in place, I kept coming back to the concept of that book my lover gave me all those years ago. 

The intended message of Wherever You Go, There You Are is that you already have what you need to be happy. Some might surmise that had I stayed put in DC, things may have worked out. But I had a greater sense that I needed to follow my gut instinct and get the hell out of that soulless city.

Articulating these concerns to my dear friend Judy — a congressman's spouse who lived across from my courtyard — I asked her, "Do you think I'm running away?" I was heartened by Judy's response:

"For the longest time, you've felt like a prisoner in your own home because of your horrible condo association. So no, you're not running from ... you're running TO!"

For these and other reasons, I’m happy I summoned the courage and resolve to let go and move on. What I got in return was wide-open spaces and opportunities to cultivate what grows in my garden.

​And I no longer leave mulch to be desired.  ​
​
❤ v!ctor!a colette 
​⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

Comments

M!NX 

Happy anniversary diVa girl !! You've come so far and so quickly. Sedona has welcomed you with an open heart and open space. Your oasis in the dessert is gorgeous. I soaked up your Milestone post and video. Your writing has so much meat to it. I love how you tied up the end to the beginning and everything in between. It is outstanding and you are outstanding. I'm misty eyed with happiness for you and your gratitude towards me. Thank you my dear friend! Here's to many more milestones.
Hugs   XOXO M!NX!E

​
KENDEL

Ooh, finally... pictures! Your new place looks beautiful! Such a contrast in so many ways. Not just the size, but the colors. I absolutely adored the bright cheerful colors of your condo, but what you have now looks so calm and relaxing. It looks like a big open space where you can spread your arms wide and take a deep, clean breath of fresh air, and I’m sure that reflects exactly what you are doing there. Beautiful pictures in the video, and the music choice was perfect! Thank you for the "walk-through" and I hope to see it in person someday.

I read before about the friend who gave you the heart-shaped rock, but I didn't realize until reading this backstory that you were referring to my sister-in-law the M!NX and my beloved brother stuART!


ALAIN

Victoria, you really have changed your life, for sure!! A complete shift. I can understand. Although not close to the canyon, I am living close to woods and birds… Much love from France,  Alain & Chantal


JASE

Your new place is so much roomier :) Congratulations!


MELISSA

Beautiful! Clean, pure, light-filled plus happier flowers outside! Love and light, Melissa


DIANA

I'm so happy for you! Does it feel like home yet? Or did it already feel like home? Love it when a place naturally 'fits' and has your heart before you even move there :)

DENISE

Happy Milestone to YOU!! –Denny  


ASHLEE

Happy 4 months QV! Your new home looks gorgeous!!! May you enjoy many more happy months…years…decades in your new home. 
Axxxxxx


TAMI

Victoria I love this story! You're making your own garden here in Sedona. You don't need the dirt and dismay of Capitol Hill. You're in a wide open space now and you're making it what YOU want to be ... in your own vortex!


BOBBY

I like how you tied the end to the beginning of this story. It's MULCH better!


JOLITA

Congratulations on your four-month milestone. Happy gardening! xx Jolita


BILL

I love this story of your transition and your continuing adventure, Victoria. I really get a sense of the opening of vistas for you. That old place, as colorful as it was, seems so cramped in comparison to what you are enjoying now, and you convey the contrast so well.


PATRICK

Wow. Six bags of mulch for your flowers. I'll bet you'll have enough left over for a veggie lunch with friends. But seriously, absolutely beautiful! Rock on Victoria, Rock on. The best is yet to be revealed.


ANDREW

Nice video! Since the planets are lined up in your favor, don't move too much "earth"!


DARLENE

That was spectacular. You are living the life! Beautiful peaceful surroundings & your villa is looking wonderful. You are doing a great job with the landscaping & all the natural flora around you. I work in my yard almost every day & I love mulch for its original purpose. But in Florida it brings ants. I hate ants. Much love for sharing. Hopefully someday I will make it out there! Peace & love from the sunshine state!


MOM

As usual, you wrote a very good story. As your dad says, you have a way with words.  Love\Mom


ARYNNE

I'm glad you are finding so much JOY in AZ! Love the updates! Love you! 


GIGI

Love this!!! You are so talented! You are definitely here to communicate new ideas and shift for the world. Thanks for being here.


MICHELLE

What a magical space you have created for yourself! I can't even imagine you ever living in DC, as you look so happy and at home in Sedona. I truly am very happy for you! You did such a good job with the video and music, capturing the peace and beauty of your surroundings. Just watching brings a sense of peace to my soul. Makes me want to get on the next plane to Sedona!! I sure do enjoy reading your blogs and living vicariously through you! I'll keep sending those happy thoughts your way and you keep sharing the "good" life with the rest of us ... Peace, love and light, Michelle in sunny Florida


EMMY

Sacred space..heartfelt gratitude...came thru very clear. You are HOME! Very beautiful..reflecting YOU!


CHRIS

lovely video, victoria. thanks for sharing your "shift to sedona" with george and me. we are lucky to have you, and the house looks happy to have you living there as well !! i can feel your loving energy in each photo and so happy that you are nestled snugly in your new home, which clearly reflects your creativity and eclectic sensibilities. hugs, chris

MISHA

QV you are incredibly creative & it shows!! Oh, how I loved what you wrote & the video you created!! Both brought tears of joy to my heart. I can fully & robustly appreciate where you (we) have come from & where you (we) are now ~ it is truly miraculous!! I love your place in Sedona & more importantly, that you are near me. Joyfully, Misha


VICKY

Victoria, I watched the video and read the backstory. I am glad you made the right choice and moved to a place that continues to give you so much happiness. From what I see, Sedona is a beautiful area. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful villa. Your place is so much larger than the home you sold in DC. I can just imagine how you put your talents into decorating your new place in Sedona. 


JUDY

Great to hear happiness from you! I smiled so many times watching your video. This really shows how free you are now. Just beautiful! You are such a talented gal. I am so happy for you and I am flattered to have been a part of your shift! Stay content and healthy! Love and miss you! XX


DENNY

victoria, this post is not "on the rocks" (as the bartender would say) -- it is "straight up." i feel blessed that you accepted this gift (quest) and are unwrapping it to share with all. 


BEV

Yay Victoria! I'm happy for you! I know you are in a much better place, in many more ways than geographically! You are in a great place in Sedona, and when it's time for a change, you'll be guided to do what's next.


JAN

So beautifully done!! Sharing in your happiness, Victoria, and celebrating your gifts in abundance…Sending my warmest congratulations!