A few years ago, I began a quest to find myself. I did not read a mystical book or follow a guru who showed me how to go within my spirit for answers. I did not turn to a church. I went to God on my own, in my house.
In that search, guides appeared in my life and day after day I learned how to say “Yes” to life. On my 30th birthday in 2019 I went to New Orleans because my abusive partner at the time wouldn’t make space to celebrate me. I decided to take the kids on a vacation without her. While there, I booked a glass blowing session at a spot on Magazine St. My mom watched the kids so I could enjoy my artist date alone. There I met Teri Walker, a world renown glass blower. We have been friends ever since. When I left that abusive partner, I called Teri so I could hang out with her in NOLA.
She invited me to her home where she taught me about taking the high road. She opened my mind to what it means to be a free artist who is kind and courageous. She was a guide to me at pivotal moment in my life. Every now and then I go to her place to get lost in her vortex of presence.
She is someone who shaped my life in ways that are still unfolding. I am dedicated to my art, not because it is easy, but because it is part of me. She made me see how important that dedication is to living authentically.
Breezy wanted to go to NOLA yesterday, so I called Teri up and asked if we could come hang out. He needs to see my world and decide if he fits. I must decide if he fits.
Teri told me to come to her place between 1 and 4pm. The only requirement is that I bring a bottle of wine. Breezy watched the masters at work as they blew a new vase. It was a cup that they were going for, but it broke. “Wabisabi that thing.”, I told them. They made it something beautiful with all the broken pieces. Then Teri and I went inside while her husband who is a world class chef made us a sandwich. She was telling me how she recalls who I was years ago. She remembered my quest, my search for answers. She couldn’t believe how far I have come. She wants my book as soon as it is published.
You have no idea how I honored I am to know these people. You hear all sorts of stories about the legends of New Orleans, the people of mystical decent. Teri is that fairy in NOLA. She is a legend, someone whose mind is a mystery. She sees things like no-one I have ever met. Her perspective gets you lost in time. When she speaks, you can’t help but fall into her words and allow them to wash over you.
I sat there in her backyard, in the same seat that I sat so many years ago, listening to Teri. It’s all come full circle. “You had spinning energy when I met you. Now you are grounded.”, she told me. She went on to talk about what they are building together in the heart of New Orleans. She is a stopping point for the Mardi Gras pilgrimage where parade attendees pass to find costume and get dolled up. It’s remarkable to hear her stories of the life she has created in such a magical city. I am alive around Teri. She’s my teacher.
Breezy sat there in awe. “Do you see?”, I asked him when Teri walked away. “I live a million dollar lifestyle on so very little income because of the angels around me.”, I told him.
“I have never had an experience like this that I haven’t had to pay for.”, he responded. After we said our goodbyes to my friends, I took him on a walk around the neighborhood. I felt the Earth calling so I kneeled down to touch the ground. He kept walking before he realized I was missing. When he turned around I was on my knees with my hands connected to the dirt. He walked towards me and stood there as I asked him to join me. He questioned me before I said, “Who are we to think that we are too good to touch the Earth?” He put his hands near mine. He was concerned about what the woman who was walking her dogs was thinking. “What does it matter what she thinks about what we are doing?”, I asked. He got lost in the presence as I guided him.
We drove home shortly after listening to music in silence. “What are you doing to me Paige?”, he asked. I get asked that often by different people. I guess I am never thinking about what I am doing to someone. I just always want to show people what presence can create. I have cultivated this energy over time. I have created a beautiful life. I don’t have a massive income, but that’s okay with me. I love what I have with my tribe. The creatives, the spiritualists, the business owners, the chefs, the big personalities and the strong wills– we all add something to the body of Christ. Each of our gifts is a beautiful thing. I don’t need to be special and be the one everyone adores. When you have a community, everyone gets that. Everyone is special. Everyone is seen.
This is what I have created. This is what my sisters and I will be sharing on our retreats. The first one this year will be on June 6-10 in Ocean Springs, MS. It’s going to be a powerful healing retreat in which we are going to not just walk people into their divinity. We are going to demonstrate tribe and community so that our guests will get a taste of the life we built together. They will find the inspiration to create tribe and community in their every day life. We are coming together to show people what life can be and how to build that right now.
I told my co hosts that I don’t want to build a retreat that people have to leave behind. I want them to feel like it would be easy to take what we teach back home and create the life that feels so authentic to who they truly are. When I look back in 5 years, I will see a big community of authentic human beings who stick together, create alliance and thrive because we said “YES” to life.
Here’s to the journey. May we recognize the guides that are in front of our faces and say “yes” to all that God has for us.
With the Deepest Love,
Paige Elliott
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