Getting into the sea

“I am the patriarchy’s worst nightmare.”—Elizabeth Gilbert

There’s an episode in the tv series, Shrinking, where the characters, clad in nothing but their underwear, tramp into the ocean to communally discuss whether or not one of them should adopt a baby.

I dig the idea of getting into the sea whether it’s literal (as in their case) or metaphorically, because it means stepping into something completely unknown, surrendering to waves that aren’t predictable or controllable. And I especially love when we do it communally as a human family.

If I believed in New Year’s resolutions (I absolutely don’t—humans, most of which are already walking anxiety disorders, do not need any more pressure), mine would be something about diving headfirst into the sea, into life without parameters, without expectations, without any idea of what’s going to happen next.

The reason resolutions (or, in my case, the lack thereof) are on my mind is because I will be ringing in 2025 on an African savanna, far from civilization’s reach. In other words, this post is to tell you, my dear comrades in spiritual mischief, that I probably won’t be chiming in much for the next three weeks.

Instead, I’ll be with the Taz Grout 222 Foundation that is supporting LoveLight Africa’s Ubuntu summer camps in 2025. Ubuntu, of course, means “I am because we are” and, yes, it’s summer right now in South Africa.

Rather than simply pony up financial support, I decided to jump in, to also offer my presence and assistance to the amazing Robin Goff who started this consciousness-changing outreach as an offshoot of the Light Center that just happens to exist 30 minutes from my home.

I’ll have a full report on February 22 (2/22) and, for anyone with an innovative idea for rewriting the dream of the modern world from consumption and acquisition to the dream of creativity and self-expression, by all means, send a pitch with the description of your big idea to: taz.grout.222.foundation@gmail.com. We still have money to give away!

For those new to the party:

The Taz Grout 222 Foundation was launched to honor my brilliant daughter who spent 25 short years on the planet inspiring everyone who knew her to live and love better. Her heart possessed more capacity than mine will ever possess. Everything she stood for was some variation of these themes:  create relentlessly, love fiercely and do quiet, kind things for the underdog.

Every year, the foundation offers a grant to a project or a person (often both) who, as Liz Gilbert said in the above quote, represents the patriarchy’s worst nightmare.

We look for projects that address the following ideas:

1. A change in perspective is our greatest need. We believe all people (no exceptions) long to be generous and create beautiful things.

2. Today’s hopelessness is based on false premises. We look to defy the old story of scarcity, lack and the need to fight for resources. We aim to prove that the universe, once liberated from no-longer-working paradigms of scarcity, is generative and endlessly abundant.

3. The us against them model is kaput. We believe all humans are interconnected and that even tiny actions have great significance.

As we start this new and exciting year, never forget that the single most important thing you could ever do to change the consciousness of the world is to be tender and merciful to yourself.

As Taz forever reminds me, “Time here is short and precious.  So, please, mom, be kind to yourself and venerate every delicious moment.”  

#222 Forever!

Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)