Years ago, when I was a fire dancer, I learned a lesson that still resonates with me. Because you’re here with me in this LifeSoup, I’ll share it with you in hopes that you find it helpful in your situations. Even if you’ve never been a fire dancer. ;)
It was in a workshop - yes, there are fire dance workshops - where I was learning hula hoop tricks for party gigs and parades. I still have my fire hoop, another reminder that this was actually part of my life, however long ago it seems now.
Hula hooping itself is a challenge, like many things in life (take a moment to reflect on your current challenge here before reading further). It takes practice; resilience when gravity wins and the hoop falls to the ground; patience and humor when you smack yourself in the face trying a head-tuck shoulder roll. It gets frustrating. You might want to quit, and most people do. But you’re here, in this challenge, for a reason.
And your future self already knows how to do it.
Those are the words my hula hoop workshop teacher said that eased my mind, comforted me, and stayed with me to this day.
I might not swing a fire hoop around my hips anymore, but now my future self already knows who my Literary Agent is, and how they’re going to help my best-selling novel become a movie, and who the actors will be, and who will write the musical score, and how I’ll use the money to make the world a better place. All I have to do now is show up and do the work by writing the words and perfecting my craft.
In your challenge, your future self already knows the outcome, already knows how everything is going to fall into place. All you have to do is keep practicing resilience, patience, and all the virtues that make us strong, including a sense of humor.
How does this lesson help you with what you’re going through right now? Let me know by replying to this email, or commenting if you’re reading this on the blog.
Peace, love, and more peace,
Cherie Dawn
Meditation Hike Helps Locals, and a Woman in the Philippines
Thank you to everyone who joined me for the first Meditation Hike this year, including writers from the “Rough Draft Collab,” yoga students, friends, and new LifeSoup readers. Together, we found community, inner stillness, and quiet time with nature. We also raised $60 for Lucy, a woman running a general store in the Philippines (via Kiva business loans; Lucy’s loan has been fully funded at $275). :)
The next Meditation Hike is August 30 (details here), but I might offer a pop-up meditation hike in late June or July, so stay tuned.
“Contemplations From the Cat Cafe” Wins Poetry Contest
Upcoming Events
May 13
"Rough Draft Collab” Writers Group
6:30-7:30 pm at Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, Kentucky
Wanting to connect with other area writers for advice? Join us at this monthly meetup for inspiration and community.
Free to attend, but please register through the library’s website: www.cc-pl.org
May 19-23
Plein Air Convention & Expo, Reno and Lake Tahoe, NV
For artists and art lovers! I’ll be there as Editor of Plein Air Today, the newsletter for PleinAir Magazine: PleinAirConvention.com
June 11-15
PlayThink Festival in Edmonton, KY
PlayThink is a one-of-a-kind summer adventure where you can relax, have fun, and connect with others. It’s a place to play, discover, and grow—a festival full of music, movement, art, and community. Whether you’re here for the creativity, the workshops, or just to soak in the good vibes, there’s something for everyone at PlayThink. I’ll be there to teach a gentle morning yoga class.
More details: playthinkfestival.com
August 30 (Also September 27)
Spring Meditation Hike
8am-9am at AJ Jolly Park / Nature Center, Alexandria, Kentucky
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. We’ll begin with an introduction to meditation followed by a walk along the beautiful nature trails.
Free, but please register for weather updates: https://cheriedawn.com/2025/02/18/meditation-hikes-in-northern-kentucky/
Ongoing:
Thai Yoga Massage at Studio43 (Alexandria, KY) and Thrive Empowerment Center (Covington, KY)
Yoga Classes at Studio43 (vinyasa, hatha, and gentle)
Who am I?
My name is Cherie Dawn Haas. In addition to being the author of four books, I have over 500 hours of yoga teacher training, including Elemental Yoga Therapy and Thai Yoga Massage, and a Bachelor’s Degree in English / Literature with a Journalism minor. By day, I’m an art editor for Streamline Publishing, where I help inspire and educate thousands of artists around the world. By night, I’m a creative fiction writer and yoga teacher. Thanks for being here with me. Please share LifeSoup if you have friends and family who could benefit from it.
"your future self already knows how to do it"
🖤
I've sometimes chided myself like, "I wish yesterday me was looking out for today me" when I put something off or didn't think it through. Switching that perspective to forward-thinking ("keeping going with this, or doing that, is HOW my future self will be able to succeed at _____") is not only so much kinder and forward-looking, but totally encourages persistence in the moment if things are tough. Awesome.