The Magic of facing life’s scariest moments
On my walk this morning through my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but notice all the Halloween decorations transforming homes into something magical—like an eerie but playful celebration of the season.
One house in particular stood out. It had a sign that said “Get Out” in bold, jagged letters. I laughed at the irony. Here we are, surrounded by symbols of death, destruction, warnings of danger, ghouls, ghosts, and horror, yet they serve as an invitation.
An invitation for trick-or-treaters and families to come out, to celebrate, to ring the bell for goodies and candy. A celebration of community coming alive, right in the middle of darkness.
It made me reflect on what this season is really about. Halloween, with all its macabre and eerie imagery, reminds me of how life works.
We often think we need to avoid the tough, painful, or scary parts of our journey. But there's something to learn in those challenging times.
Life is a blend of beauty and hardship, and it invites us to embrace both with curiosity and an open mind.
It reminds me of one of the scariest, most chaotic times in my life. Back in August 2020, during the height of quarantine, a tornado blew through my neighborhood in Chicago.
That’s not something you’d expect in the city, but there I was, 5 months into a pandemic, huddled in the basement with my family, hearing tree branches crashing down all around our house. We lost our backyard fence, our neighbor’s garage collapsed, and there was nearly $20k in damages to our home to repair.
I remember the overwhelming feeling of loss as I saw our three beautiful trees destroyed, and eventually removed by the city, and wondered how we’d rebuild after so much chaos.
And then, the next day, I found out I was pregnant. Bu-dum-shh! (That's what it felt like, lol)
The weight of everything—COVID, societal unrest, and now the tornado—had me questioning if it was even the right time to bring new life into this world. But even in the midst of destruction, I told myself to have faith things would improve.
Months later, when my daughter was born on Easter Sunday, we named her Naya, meaning "renewal." Her arrival, the strange timing of it all, and the whispers of hope I kept hearing—like a stranger who yelled out to us one day as we were walking home from the park, "All I see are New Beginnings!"—made me realize that even in the darkest moments, life is full of signs and invitations to step forward into the unknown.
It’s in those times that we’re invited to grow, to see beyond the fear, and to open ourselves to the beauty that can emerge from the chaos.
Those three trees that were destroyed? They were replanted the spring Naya came - but the city gave us 5 instead! I remember telling my husband - they gave us more trees than we asked for! Ha!
I felt so excited about what was to come. Life has a way of renewing itself if we allow it, if we don’t get stuck in fear and darkness.
In those moments of fear or discomfort, there’s often an invitation—a call to others to come close, to support us, to offer comfort.
It’s easy to forget that vulnerability connects us, reminding us of our shared humanity. In this way, the skeletons and ghosts that decorate our homes could represent not just death, but the transparency and fragility of life. When we let others in during these dark moments, we allow them to serve us, to witness our vulnerability, to bring their light into our darkness.
We sometimes rob others of the chance to help us when we hide our struggles or pretend everything is fine. Halloween, in its peculiar way, teaches us that it’s okay to invite others in—just like trick-or-treaters knocking at our door. We’re allowed to receive. We’re allowed to lean on others, to share the weight of our fears, and to let those around us play a role in easing our burdens.
We put on masks during Halloween, a way to playfully embody a new persona, but perhaps we can remove the metaphorical ones we wear in everyday life.
We can give ourselves permission to be seen, raw and real, in all our complexities. When we do, we open the door to deeper connections and richer experiences.
After all, isn’t that what we’re all here for—to celebrate both the beauty and the terror of life, to recognize how precious each moment truly is, and to allow those around us to walk with us through both the light and the dark?
This idea of leaning into the dark spaces is something I explore with my clients during tarot and coaching sessions. It’s not about fixing or avoiding challenges but rather embracing them as gateways to deeper clarity and connection.
As this season offers a playful yet profound way of facing our fears, my sessions do the same—through intuitive coaching, tarot cards, meditation, and visualization, we dive into what serves you most in that moment.
Recently, a coaching client shared with me how each session gets better and better, and I couldn’t agree more. Each meeting feels like a "magic session," where intuitive messages and insights come through, guiding us toward what’s most important. Whether you're looking for clarity in your personal life or leadership journey, these sessions offer a sacred space to explore, reflect, and grow.
If you're feeling called to embrace your own "darkness" and step into more light, I’m currently opening space to work with 1 or 2 more clients. I would love to help you create powerful shifts in your life, guided by intuition, wisdom, and a deep connection to what truly serves you.
My clients often describe these sessions as way to come back to themselves again, and because of the depth and care I pour into each one, I’m only able to take on a few new clients at a time. If you’ve been feeling the pull to dive deeper into your own journey, now might be the perfect time to begin.
P.S. Book a reading with me to "try me on" and see if we're a good fit to work together. Let’s discover what’s possible for you as you step into your next chapter of growth and self-discovery!
P.P.S. Also, don't forget about the two upcoming events next month!
Chocolate y Pan Dulce at Embrace Corazon Counseling in Pilsen hosted by my good friend Susie Moya, LCSW! She and I collaborate often, and I always enjoy the safety she brings to every conversation! Join her for this amazing event November 3rd, 10-12pm! Suggested donation $15.
Baile de las Calaveras
Join Mujeres Latinas en Acción’s Young Professionals Advisory Council for the 14th annual Baile de las Calaveras, commemorating Day of the Dead. Proceeds help support Mujeres Latinas en Acción, the longest-standing Latina-led organization in the country.
Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
Time: 6 pm – 10 pm
Location: Salonlb (1010 W 35th Street Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60609)
Tickets: Early bird tickets are available now!
