big heart questions

April 26, 2016 - Daily Notes, From the Editor

“What does it mean to live from the heart?”

I laid in bed last night rapidly scribbling questions brought on by a month of heart meditations--sitting every night with both palms on my heart, trying to feel what exactly it is telling me.

What does it mean to live from the heart? I want to know.

Who are the scientists studying the heart? What do they know?

Who are the most compassionate people in the world? Why are they so?

Who are the most courageous? What makes them brave?

What animals have the largest physical hearts? How are they different?

Who are the mystics who study the heart? What do the ancient religions and inspired texts say?

Who are the artists rendering the heart? What do they see?

Who are the musicians composing from their heart? What songs do they sing? How do they sound?

Who are the healers tending the hearts? How do they do it? What do they know?

What do the children have to say about heart? What do they know that we have forgotten?

Who is listening to the human heart? What do the cardiologists and pediatricians with stethoscopes hear?

What mysteries remain of the human heart that we do not know? What are the legends, tales and stories handed down?

Will knowing these answers help humanity survive, evolve, eliminate violence, and reach our full potential? 

Can I help uncover the answers? Lucia's mission is to give voice to the heart. What is it trying to tell us? Is there a collective wisdom beneath seven billion pulse-beats?

I don't know. I must begin my day. Do you have answers? Please, tell me. 

xo
laura

say yes

Having coffee with Sarah Childers, Lucia's new blog goddess (precise title TBD!)

“Then the time came when the answer was yes. ”

— Laura Lowery

April 24, 2016 - Daily Notes, From the Editor

The leaves on my maples were teeny-tiny green spots against blue sky two weeks ago. This morning they form a lush blanket of oxygen-expelling softness, hiding my neighbors from sight. Their growth was rapid. Almost dizzying. It was time.

We live in a circular, cyclical, seasonal world. It is Spring in Seattle and everything is emerging. Swift expansion comes with unsettled energy which can do one of two things: send us right back under the covers trying to hide from it; or propel us toward the very thing we've been resting up for all winter. We can say no or we can say yes.

It's time to grow Lucia's team.

As founder and editor, bringing on new team members is a terrifying step for me. I want to be careful and thoughtful. Lucia is not yet profitable. I am still bankrolling this whole operation with my day job. I'm scared of asking for talented help when I'm not yet able to pay talented people what they are worth in dollars.

I believe wholeheartedly Lucia will succeed, though. Not an hour goes by I am not working toward this. Until now, I've had a hard time accepting that other people (beyond Lucia's incredible co-creators, Karly Siroky and Amanda Ford) could possibly feel this way too. 

Like maple leaves knowing April is the time to grow, something inside me whispered loudly this month. Yes, there are mornings when I'd like to stay in bed and keep Lucia small. But it wants to grow. 

So we are looking for a social media & sales assistant.

Growth is never linear. It feels more like fireworks sometimes. Quiet, quiet, quiet, BOOM. Posting the job description brought another new team member, one I wasn't expecting but now see that we need. 

Saturday morning I arrived at the Tangletown Zoka Coffee Roaster to meet with a spark of brilliance named Sarah Childers. Sarah wrote for Lucia's maiden issue and had reached out to me on Friday saying she was intrigued by the opportunity to be involved in a new way.

As we sat down to talk, I pulled out my Moleskine journal with two full pages worth of notes I'd scribbled in red uniball pen from bed that morning; an outline of Lucia's priority needs right now.

"REVENUE" was scrawled across the top of page one, followed by the sources and avenues I need help to cultivate and pursue. We discussed growing the subscriber base, targeted marketing, looking for sponsors, considering grants. Sarah was effervescent, full of ideas, eager to learn more, and yet...her awesome talent doesn't lie in social media marketing or magazine sales. 

The very last note on page two of items I need immediate help with was this: Thoughtful expansion of Lucia's editorial content and blog.

Bingo! Fireworks. 

"Would you be interested in taking on a role expanding Lucia's blog and editorial content?"

She said yes.

I'm excited for you to get to know Sarah. Her intriguing background in education and women's studies seeps into talented writing and a playful, heart-centered spirit. She is an inspiring, intelligent muse. You'll hear more about her (and from her) in the weeks to come.

This morning I listened as rain fell outside my open window. "Who else will say yes this week?" I wondered. I tossed back the covers and rose bravely to meet them.

xo
laura

stolen youth

Photo: SOLD, the movie, in Lucia Issue One : Inspiration {page 90}

April 18, 2016 - Daily Notes, From the Editor

There are brave heart warriors in this world. 

Today in Seattle, 900 gathered in one room downtown to support Stolen Youth, an incredible organization that is shining a bright light on the local problem and worldwide pandemic of child trafficking. 

Seattle's new police chief, Kathleen O'Toole, spoke and her strength and wisdom reminded me of the powerful Celtic women from a time not so long ago, when the feminine and masculine were in balance with one another; when we lived in harmony with nature, rather than trying to conquer it.

Survivors spoke and I felt my face grow wet with admiration of their beauty, perseverance, and courage.

I heard voices of men incarcerated for buying sex with minors in a powerful video that went straight to the uncomfortable truth: They are suffering and in need of help too. 

At the end of the day it comes down to this: we need more heart. There is a lack of knowledge and respect for the softly powerful feminine ways of governing, stewarding, policing, building, healing, nurturing, and loving. 

There is so much work to do to bring an end to the violence in our world and I am in awe of the modern day warriors, women and men I witnessed today who are doing just that.

On a related note, SOLD, the gorgeous film which was featured in Issue One of Lucia, is playing here in Seattle this week at the Sundance Cinema. It will open your heart and mind to the complexities of the issue and what it means for humanity. Knowledge is power. It will inspire change. There are screenings across the country, check the website for cities and dates. Go watch if you can.

Follow this organization. Applaud them. Support them. They are doing work that is saving people. It is saving us all.

xo
laura