Turning to the Light
I was remembering last week how it was for us right after the massacre. Despite my shock and devastation, I still needed to uphold my fundamental roles in the world, so I took a few brief trips out to do errands. While in the mall with the girls, I ran into a few people I knew, who offered much kindness and sympathy to me. But I left in a hurry and burst into tears when I reached the car, realizing I was no longer Jenny the healer, I was Jenny, one of the victims of the worst mass killing in Canadian history. Not only was I dealing with the loss of my sister, I was facing a whole new identity, one which I didn’t want or need. I had spent my entire working life dedicated to healing humanity and bringing the light to people’s lives, only to find myself now associated with the darkest situation one could imagine.
Through a lot of therapy, griefwork and daily practice, I faced (and continue to face) the intense darkness that has encroached upon our lives. Over time, I’ve slowly come to view my connection with the events in April 2020, as a call for me to, not just return to my role as healer, but to show up in ways I haven’t before, so I can help to bring light and hope where darkness has overshadowed our lives.
I kept asking myself; what would be best for me and for our people? Would it be best to keep all of this therapeutic work that I’ve done and received all to myself, knowing that others who haven’t had the same opportunities are drowning in despair? Would it be best to numb out and turn away from all of this mess? What I settled on was the choice to immerse myself in my passion, doing what I love most, creating healing experiences that bring people home to their innate strength, aliveness and resilience, and to help others move through this time with less stress and more ease. Besides, I’m an HSP, and my body was telling me very clearly that it couldn’t tolerate the toxicity. So that’s what I did, I dove into my work, nurtured the loving relationships in my life and prioritized my health. Over the last few months, as the public inquiry has gotten underway (and European a war rages on), I’ve been able to continue healing my shattered nervous system and stomach ulcer, because of this choice.
You know what? My hunch is that my sister, who was a powerful leader, would want me to rise up and lead in whatever way I could to support the greater good. So that’s what I’m doing. Since ringing in 2022, I’ve been head down, hard at work compiling the methods I’ve employed to get me through this horrific time, and other difficult periods in the past. I’ve (thankfully) gone from the lowest point I’ve ever lived through, to a state of grace, where I’m able to experience gratitude, joy (although I have my days) and vibrant health.
In the last few months, I’ve launched a new website, program and podcast. For all the details on my alchemical journey of turning pain into purpose and suffering into service, read on.
For all of us living through this period of human history, my prayer is that we can see these horrific times as an opportunity to rise to our highest potential as kind, mature, responsible human beings.
And remember, your body needs rest, your mind needs peace and your spirit needs attention,
Jenny K
Take our FREE Body/Mind Constitution Quiz on our NEW Girl on Fire website: https://girlonfire.ca
This new program, which begins Tuesday, April 26th, is one that I’m so excited about because it serves the people in our society who often do heroic things behind the scenes, giving all of themselves to family and community without recognition. If you are a female identifying person, longing to find your light again, Women of Light is for you. This is not a training course, it’s a healing program designed to support you in releasing the heaviness, finding new strength and reclaiming your inner light, which is your birthright.
The Women of Light program includes wisdom teachings that release the heaviness that’s encroached upon our lives and cultivate the radiant light that exists in all of us. We’ll do a deep dive into all levels of our being, from the physical to the spiritual, with daily practices, meditations and teachings that reveal the luminous, wise woman within. In a private, supportive community, we will examine what it means to be women who are healthy, balanced, empowered and free, through every changing season of our lives.
Women of Light begins Tuesday, April 26th, 7:00-8:15pm. To register, visit: https://girlonfire.ca/women-of-light/.
Mention this blog and we’ll include 2 FREE GIFTS, the Women of Light mala necklace and organic self-massage oil!
Girl on Fire Empowerment and NEW Keeper of the Fire Facilitator Training.
After two years, we are delighted to finally be able to lead another LIVE in-person (and online) Girl on Fire Facilitator Training.You are invited to join me (Jenny) for this once a year experience!
Girl on Fire is an empowerment program themed according to 10 Inner Treasures: self-awareness, self worth, confidence, discernment, resilience, discipline, optimism, contentment, connection and essence. Girl on Fire pairs theory with the tools, techniques and skills necessary to ignite the inner flame and to live empowered, healthy, balanced and joy-filled lives.
This evidence-based program that was piloted in NB schools, had astounding results with a 25% improvement in competencies such as confidence, discipline, optimism and kindness and an whopping 44% increase in resilience.
Girls in the pilot program showed an exceptional 44% increase in Resiliency and made significant gains in these categories: Intra-personal (26%), Capacity (26%), Dispositional (26%), and Interpersonal (15%).
Our most recent Girl on Fire graduates expressed a sense of safety and connectedness within the group. They also reported feeling less anxious, more confident, self-loving and using their new skills to approach life with a growth mindset. Many continue to participate in yoga classes for stress relief, relaxation, connection, strength and flexibility.
Our latest addition, Keeper of the Fire, builds on Girl on fire to include content to ignite an unwavering sense of self-worth and purpose in First Nations women. Keeper of the Fire is designed to support First Nations women in keeping the sacred fire burning by preserving traditional culture, language and ceremonies.
To take our FREE Body/Mind Constitution Quiz on our NEW Girl on Fire website and to register for the upcoming Facilitator Training, visit: https://girlonfire.ca
Training Dates:
First weekend is self-paced, online.
Second weekend is in-person or online April 30-May1st, 2022, 9-3pm at the Chocolate Lake Hotel, Halifax, NS.
To register: visit https://girlonfire.ca or call (902) 444-YOGA (9642), info@BreathingSpaceYogaStudio.ca
Price: early bird is $675.00+hst, after April 15th, $790.00+hst.
NEW PODCAST! Spark – A Mother-Daughter Journey with Jenny and her 16 year old daughter, Sophia Rae.
Hi, this is Jenny Kierstead and Sophia Rae, a Mother-Daughter duo. We’ve been through a lot together the last few years. As we moved through COVID self-isolation, we also dealt with our own traumatic grief from the massacre here in NS, which claimed the life of Jenny’s sister, and Sophia’s Aunt, Lisa McCully. We decided to channel our desire to spark a light amidst the darkness by creating this podcast. Our hope for this podcast is to ignite honest, whole-hearted conversations that bridge the generational gap, heal trauma and light the path for a healthy, united future.
We hope this podcast inspires you to speak your truth, use your voice to affect positive change and heal the intergenerational connections in your life.The podcast can be accessed through https://girlonfire.ca/spark/ as well as on Apple Podcast and on all major podcast directories.