The past few weeks have been nothing short of amazing, all because I decided to follow the universe’s breadcrumbs. Earlier this year, they led me to my magnificent yoga and book study teacher, and last Wednesday, to the S.O.A.R. Symposium. The connections I’ve made through each have sparked my light in ways I never imagined. 

I am.

This morning, after I finished getting ready, I stepped forward and looked at myself in the mirror. I mean, I really looked at myself through lenses of unconditional love and studied myself like I never had done before.

And you know what?

I saw my whole and true BEing for the first time in, like, forever. No shame or judgment and zero flaws. My light and love brightly radiated from my soul and my heart, and I felt like I was thunderstruck with white-hot electricity coursing through me.

I have been alive for 19,245 days before I woke up this morning.

Today, however, is Day One.

I am awakened and enlightened with full and unconditional agape, the highest form of love, surging through every single one of my cells. 

And yes, I am crying right now as this transcendental love for myself will change everything about my forward journey towards joy, purpose, and peace.

I’m out of my head and no longer wasting in waiting. I am breathing out and breathing in the revelation that what I am experiencing could never be found in words written by others or seen through any lenses other than mine. Others can guide me, but cannot lead me to ME.

I had to find her myself when I was physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually ready to process the enormous magnitude of my light.

And there she was, in the mirror this morning, a perfectly imperfect, beautiful human being so deserving of my love. 

Today is a new day teeming with‌ new hope, and I’m following the path in front of me to the yet unknown destination with wholehearted faith because I know I am being led to where I belong, to where I am home, to where I am.

This is the beginning of something phenomenal.

I cannot recommend the S.O.A.R. Symposium enough and I’ll forever appreciate the seeds planted by all the speakers, including Dr. Veera Gupta,  Meredith Z. Avakian, Beth Punzi, Matt Cook, Gregory Andrus (Portraits of the Jersey Shore), Denise Cesare,  Joanna Ciszewska, Deborah J. Holliday, MSW, and especially the program’s founders, Jessica Varian Maldonaldo and Jenn Tuma-Young. The experience was truly amazing and transformative beyond expectations, and if you are local, I urge you to attend next year’s Symposium (tickets are on sale-click here!) Being surrounded by so many miraculous humans, including my friend Geralyn, led me to do something outside of my comfort zone: I read the blurb from Enduring the Waves during the open mic portion. 

Also, please also consider checking out my incomparable yoga teacher, Katie Morgan, and the programs she offers (she’s too amazing for words), as well as the classes at Embodied Physical Therapy in Point Pleasant.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Agape with Agape” was posted on jillocone.com on October 23, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.