Yesterday was my 27th birthday.
Kind of. Sort of.
Because if you are wondering, wait, Elena...you are WAY older than 27. And also, isn’t your birthday in August and aren’t you ALL LEO...which means that there are still two months left for your birthday, you'd be correct on both fronts.
But yesterday marked the 27th anniversary of my "bone marrow birthday" – the day I received my own stem cells as part of my bone marrow transplant to treat my Hodgkin's disease.
And for the last 26 years, I’ve treated it like a second birthday.
This tends to be an emotionally charged day for me.
I'm grateful. Because last year I found myself facing an opportunity when I realized,
"... it is hard to LOVE anything that you don’t TRUST.
And it is hard to TRUST anything that you don’t LOVE.
And even though my body healed itself so many years ago…the experience of my being diagnosed with Hodgkins created what is called a “samskara” – an imprint, as a seed of distrust.
And over the years, I’ve consciously and unconsciously been watering that seed."
(you can read last year's reflection HERE.)
Since then, I've DEVOTED myself to planting new seeds of self-trust and self-love. Of celebrating my vitality.
And while I'm still (and likely always will be) a work in progress, I feel like my seeds have grown deep roots. So much so that if I were a plant, I'd be ready to be re-potted into a bigger plant. (Or actually, directly into the earth. But that is a reflection for another time.)
But as I thought about this 27th birthday, and the roots of vitality that and trust that are feeling stronger and stronger in me each day – to some degree because I made a decision over this last year to devote myself to my body, to it’s vitality, and to celebrating it’s strength as a journey.
You can read about some of that journey HERE.
Which leads me back to you.
Because for the last 9 years, I've created what I lovingly call, a "birthday ripple" that usually takes place in August for my "actual" birthday. The ripple is my way of being of service to you, AND to create impact for an organization that I care about.
And this year, I decided to expand this year's ripple to span BOTH birthdays.
Which means that between TODAY and August 13th – I'm offering 1:1 coaching sessions...with a "donate what you can" rate.
Wait, what?
Donate what you can? What does that even mean.
It means, that I'm opening the doors to coaching – at a rate that meets you where you are. Truly.
My only ask is that you check in with yourself to feel into what feels TRUE about how you can participate in the ripple.
Want to be part of the ripple but only have $18 to offer? Awesome.
Want to be part of the ripple and feel like $48 feels right? Perfection.
Want to be part of the ripple and feel like you have extra abundance to share with over $108? Lovely and swoon.
And that each donation, will go DIRECTLY to The Kyle Pease Foundation, which supports people with disabilities to push beyond their limits. I'm so inspired by the work of KPF, to support adults and now children – to celebrate their own vitality and would love your help to create more opportunities for inclusion, resiliency, and community.
All you need to do is donate HERE, with the note "I am creating a ripple!" in your donation...and I'll follow up with a link to schedule your 1:1 session.
(Please note: sessions need to be scheduled between now and October 30th, 2025.)
These 60-minute virtual coaching sessions are perfect for noticing where you've been consciously and unconsciously watering seeds of old imprints.
Or for calibrating to a new sense of curiosity instead of fixing.
Or for getting rooted in what matters most.
Or for a tune-up to re-align yourself to your core values.
Or maybe you are craving a personalized (virtual) yoga nidra or yin yoga experience. We can do that too!
This birthday ripple is ready for you.
Your first step is to donate HERE. And remember to include "I am creating a ripple!" in the comment box that goes along with your donation so that I know to follow up with next steps.
And if you are thinking, wait...I know someone who might want to participate in this ripple. Please feel free to share this email with them. All are welcome.
I can't wait to create ripples along with you.
In gratitude,
Elena