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Free-spirited and fabulous Dawn is the only way I can describe this remarkable woman. Mother, grandmother, musician, artist, and devoted teacher. With a resume like this, how can anyone not call her free-spirited and fabulous?
Dawn is a proud mentor in my book Get Up, where she thoroughly answered the question:
WHAT WOULD I TELL MY TEENAGE SELF?
It’s no wonder the answer she chose came from her wise maternal grandmother’s mouth, which turned out to be quite a surprise on my end. I didn’t realize a certain word was substituted for another word that wouldn’t have been published!
Fooled me!
Not only was Dawn’s grandmother wise, but from this quote and “switcheroo” of words, I bet she was also super cool. Which, definitely rubbed off on Dawn.
It’s amazing what sticks with us and becomes our mantra – for life.
You know the drill. Sit back and relax and read all about this Free-spirited and fabulous Dawn. Well worth the read, if I say so myself.
Dawn Lane is a child of the 60s, a free spirit who longs for social justice and equality. I am a mother and a grandmother. Family is very important to me. I am also a musician and an artist.
I became a teacher after volunteering in my children’s school. I created an art club that ran during the winter months at recess.
I don’t always love learning. Especially when learning comes from life’s challenges. I do believe that the purpose of living is to learn, however.
When I do love learning, it is because it feels as though a mystery is being revealed or an obstacle has been removed.
I practice yoga and meditation daily. I prefer to practice upon waking, on an empty stomach.
Yoga has given me a taste of spiritual freedom; working with the body invites a shift away from the tricks that my mind likes to play on me, such as repeating a script of worry.
Meditation has given me some time to be gentle with myself, and ways to embrace the wounds I carry from childhood. From caring so deeply about others and for the world. Meditation, for me, is like ancient time, out of time, a door through which the sacred or all that is holy may sit with me and I with it. And sometimes it is just an ordinary quiet sitting, so then Meditation gives me practice with stillness.
Editor’s note: Free-spirited and fabulous Dawn at her finest!
We love camping in our Winnebago because it allows us to see new places, to feel at home everywhere and as Vegans, we are free to feed ourselves without concern.
Prior to camping in a Winnebago, we were dedicated tipi campers. This type of camping allowed us to be on the earth, to leave without a trace, and to cultivate respect and wonder for the people who lived on this land prior to European contact.
“I would give the same advice my grandmother gave to me, ‘don’t let other people should on you’. Decide what is right in your own heart and do that.”
Editor’s note: Here is the kicker! All this time I thought the word “Should” was used in this context to explain people’s expectations that they have of you. For example, you should do this, or you should do that.
I was so wrong!
Here is Free-spirited and fabulous Dawn’s official interpretation:
First, I love the wordplay of should as a substitute for shit! As a kid it made me feel significant that my grandmother would speak to me with this adult code! This quote has saved me so many times by reminding me of the importance of boundaries that allow me to step back and find a bird’s eye or mountain top view before acting.
My maternal grandmother grew up in an orphanage and she became a strong, successful woman, despite the challenges in her life. I took what she said as a key to hold onto because she managed to become all that she hoped for in her own life.
I am still, at 60, learning how to gaze with loving eyes into my own heart. When my heart is happy it is an easy task and when it is troubling, I have learned that I can still let go of what I think I should do and wait until I feel what is right or true for me.
This distinction between thinking and feeling deeply at the heart level seems very important!
Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your wisdom with our readers. May you continue to lead with your heart and take care of yourself, and ignore all the toxic people, just like your grandmother wanted you to.