Dallas, a concrete maze of overpasses and highways, construction blocks and detours, confuses drivers at nearly every on-ramp. Air is so heavy with pollution that it challenges each breath. Humid, 90-degree-plus temperatures make it impossible to go for a simple walk without becoming drenched in perspiration within minutes. My eyes strained as they searched desperately for a glimpse of beauty amongst this stifling setting.

The first question that came to my mind was, “Why on earth would anyone choose to live here?”

So in my great wisdom and curiosity I conducted a survey of the people I met. Amazingly, every single person I posed the question to answered exactly the same without deliberation.

1. “You can make a lot of money here in a very short period of time.”
2. “I have developed some of the richest friendships of my life in this concrete jungle.”

So this is where the jewels of Dallas lie, in financial abundance and heart...an interesting combination.

In Vancouver, there is an amazing group of people filled with passion, open hearts, and commitment to deepen their relationships both with themselves and with the Creator. Being in the presence of the group allows me to pull forth new levels of intimacy I never knew existed within me. My heart opened, felt nurtured and filled with warmth at those Monday night meetings. I loved and was loved, wholly and completely. With this in mind, Joseph and I attempted to co-create a similar forum in Dallas. He invited friends and clients to experience something new. As a result, I met a wonderful group of likeminded individuals who had come together to share and create. As though I hadn't missed a beat, I watched a group of strangers move from their minds into their hearts in less than 30 minutes! This was one of the highlights of my time in Dallas.

A birthday farewell party for Joseph and me was on May 2^nd. His friends embraced me, offered themselves and their hearts to me, and my heart melted. The strangeness of being in a new city, in a new house, filled with total strangers grabbed hold of me. I desperately attempted to shelve the emotions that were welling up inside. My throat tightened, my eyes grew watery, and my stomach felt sick that night when I went to bed. I sobbed like a child as I thought of my home and friends in Vancouver. The child, the victim, the martyr all surfaced simultaneously and relentlessly. The sobbing continued for two days, then a brilliant multi-coloured butterfly emerged! Around the corner of loneliness, experiences of divine sisterhood with several wise, loving women were waiting.

The homesickness began to ease from my heart as I connected with one whom I will be teaching a nutritional workshop with. We played, shared, shopped, and spent time together. My soul could breathe again! I attended drum jams and my spirit soared as I danced. I shared time with another alchemist who is talented and brilliant and we traded magic. Healing, balance, and tunings were offered to me in times of frustration and uncertainty by another very dear soul. I was gifted with an opportunity to play in a mini jungle and prepare for Costa Rica by another loving, gentle spirit. It seemed suddenly, within a few short weeks, I was fully booked and in popular demand with both new friends and an endless array of clients.

Then came the most spectacular highlight of my visit. The opportunity to play with and work on the Siamese twins from Egypt. Seeing them for the first time, I was slightly taken back. My solar plexus had butterflies and my heart opened rapidly. A sense of pure magic entered my entire being. I was so curious to see two tiny humans, joined at the top of their heads, sharing one crown chakra. I spent the first 15 minutes in silence, just watching and being with the emotions flooding my body. Noticing the silent communication they shared peaked my curiosity even more. As I began to play with one, I noticed a silent language of light being relayed to the other - how very powerful!

Dallas, a city with such intense yang energy that all things are possible in short periods of time. A concrete jungle filled with healing, heart, and beautifully compassionate individuals. A city that embraced me openly and allowed me to experience the totality of its essence. It is a place I will return to for the friendships I have been so very fortunate to find there.