Life never looks the way we expect it to….thank God!
Don’t miss out! The Mind and Body Workshop is just around the corner on September 21st and 22nd. A few tickets remain—secure yours before they’re gone!
Hi sweet friends, I am so grateful to have this space to share my musings, insights, challenges, heartbreak and all that life brings us with you. Thank you so much for being here. It is hard to put into words what it means to me.
This past weekend, Eric and I went to Lookout Mtn and stayed in this wonderful tea house that had the most epic views ever. We watched the sunset from the hot tub and then enjoyed the outdoor shower. With no one around, I had the chance to be completely nude, which is my heaven on earth. Most of the weekend was spent outside, either by the fire on the deck or sightseeing. On Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of having the sweetest tea ceremony on the deck. The view was uninterrupted by light or sound pollution—just pure, breathtaking nature. It was STUNNING! We also had the opportunity to meet the amazing owner, who was both lovely and incredibly helpful in making our weekend perfect.
As a child, I spent my summers on Lookout Mountain at a small Christian camp called Camp Desoto. I was a camper and worked there as a counselor for two summers during college with two of my closest friends, who I still catch up with monthly. I also worked at a church on Lookout Mountain the summer before my senior year. To say I have a long history with Lookout Mtn would be an understatement. My connection to this land runs deep, as does my family’s—my nieces, nephews, and brothers all spent their summers there too.
I loved showing Eric this place that holds so many cherished adolescent memories. We hiked at Little River Canyon, took a dip in a swimming hole, explored two farmers' markets, and dined at quaint restaurants. My favorite part, besides the spectacular sunsets, was seeing Phil and Marsha Hurt, the owners of Camp Desoto. Though I’ve deconstructed my faith over the years and no longer identify as a Christian, I still hold a deep love for God and have immense respect and love for those who practice Christianity.
Phil and Marsha embody everything I admire about Christianity. Their love reflects the true spirit of Jesus—thoughtful, aware, and gracious. They acknowledge their mistakes and embrace the humanity in everyone. I cherish that the younger me was nurtured in such a loving environment they created, especially when I was searching for connection and belonging. Their example of showing love to all, regardless of differences in race, sex, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status, has had a profound influence on me. I feel incredibly honored to know and be loved by them throughout my life.
I left the weekend in a contemplative state. The girl I once was—from eight years old to twenty—is dramatically different from the woman I am now, though some parts of me have remained unchanged. I see the world very differently. The life I’m living now is far from what I imagined back then. If younger Ruthie had known how my life would turn out, she would have been shocked. Her conditioning would have led her to believe I had failed miserably because I’m a divorced woman without children, contrary to the houseful of kids I always envisioned having (Read my previous post on "I am a mother" ). She would have seen my life as a failure, with its struggles—nervous breakdowns, treatment, pain medication addiction, chronic pain, and unconventional choices like teaching sacred sexuality and shadow work, and having a live-in boyfriend—as catastrophic.
But thank God for all my perceived "failures." Each one has been crucial in my growth and self-discovery. While many parts of me have died through these breakdowns, they were merely conditioned aspects, clinging to expectations of fitting in or belonging. I would have remained confined by others' opinions, never experiencing the freedom or liberation from the restrictive "good girl" box I once tried to fit into. I’m grateful for each failure and the chance it gave me to become a truer version of myself.
This journey has come at a steep cost—awakening and liberation often do. Breaking away from societal norms has been both painful and beautiful. My younger self still lingers, caring about others' opinions and wishing for an easier life, but my higher self understands that this has always been the perfect path. The messy, gritty, and conscious journey is what my soul has longed for.
Today, my focus is on honoring my future self. I want to look back and know I truly showed up for my life. I allowed myself to explore different versions of myself, each one bringing me closer to my authentic self. I hope to reflect on a life lived with self-love, deep compassion, and presence, filled with laughter, tears, and a profound love for this world—the earth, its people, and its animals. That is my deepest hope.
I am grateful for my nostalgic weekend, for the girl I was, and the woman I get to be today.
What would your younger self say about you today? What would your older, wiser self say about you and your life? I would love to hear.
Also, I read all of your comments and I love a chance to interact with you here! Love love love, Ruthie
Keep reading for:
Love’s Invitation Monthly Event: Body Blessing
Mind + Body In-Person Workshop
Invitation of Pain In-Person Event
Love’s Invitation Monthly Event: Body Blessing
Allie is a photographer and creator of Ladygroove, where she combines body positivity with artful photography. After overcoming disordered eating and complex PTSD, she developed Ladygroove to help people reconnect with their bodies through a liberating photoshoot experience.
In 2022, she introduced Body Blessing, a pre-shoot ceremony to honor and bring peace to physical and emotional parts of ourselves. Now back in the States after 14 months of travel, Allie is excited to offer this peace-filled practice to YOU. Join Allie and Ruthie for this month’s event to explore simple, nurturing practices that deepen self-love, bringing only themselves and, if desired, some body oil for a clothed meditation.
This event is exclusively for paid subscribers ($6/month). If you're not yet a paid subscriber, you can subscribe below. Once you've subscribed, return to this post to register for the event. If you're already a paid subscriber, you'll find the registration link at the bottom of this newsletter.
In-Person Mind + Body Workshop
Jed and Ruthie are teaming up in Nashville, Tennessee from September 21st to the 22nd for a weekend writing and embodiment workshop.
The 2024 Mind and Body Workshop will focus on addressing our past, present, and future, as well as understanding what our bodies are telling us about it. Click the link below to learn more and purchase your ticket!
The Invitation of Pain In-Person Event
When we experience pain, we are instructed to medicalize our pain to make it go away. We learn to see our bodies as the enemy and forget the identity outside of the pain. But we can learn to experience and understand pain differently, even coming to see pain as the route back home to who we really are. In this way, the pain becomes the invitation back to our bodily selves - reminding us how to love ourselves more fully, teaching us that we can heal regardless of whether the pain goes away or not.
Explore a new perspective on pain with Ruthie Lindsey and Hillary McBride. On November 16th, 2024, this event in Nashville offers a chance to rethink how you relate to pain and discover new pathways to wellness. Connecting with ourselves through our bodies is valuable, and experiencing this together in person can enhance that connection to another level. We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful experience. Click the link below to learn more about this event and purchase your ticket.