Transformation is a process and a struggle. When a caterpillar is in a cocoon its structures break apart and are rebuilt including its heart. It is a time for going within, for tending to oneself, from shedding our past selves and from the metamorphosis emerging with the ability to find freedom. Butterflies find this freedom in the form of wings. We find our freedom in liberation from the work climates that are not serving us and the beauty found when we emerge from environments that do not best support us. The founder knows this struggle well as a trans person whose life’s work is being a vessel for social change.

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” - Dr. Maya Angelou, civil rights activist & poet (and so much more actress/dramatist, educator, filmmaker/producer, historian)

Rosemary is a sign of love and remembrance. Cultivating personal growth and change is an act of self-love. We honor and remember our past selves, our current selves and our future selves when we engage in personal growth. Rosemary is known as a healing plant that boosts immunity and cognition (focus, intelligence, alertness). When we have lost our way in our careers, or our workspace climates have become unhealthy we find ourselves distracted, overwhelmed, and without the clarity we need to make change. We find ourselves in need of healing.

Rosemary is also known as rosmarinus officinalis or “the dew of the sea” because it thrives best near the ocean. Transform Belonging helps you wayfind for the conditions where you thrive and bloom.

Wayfinding is a process of guiding oneself or others over land and sea. It comes from cultures prior to westernization and colonization. Wayfinding is still practiced in modern-day Polynesia. These practices center the Hawaiian concept of care taking (mālama). By taking care of one another, our resources, and the planet we can all arrive safely together. Transform Belonging uses techniques to help you find your way home to yourself even when it feels like the sky above you has not a single star to light your way.

“The principles of wayfinding are simple; the practices are very complex.” - Nainoa Thompson, Navigator and President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society

White poppies are large and stunning blossoms that are popular not only for their beauty, but also many medicinal properties. White poppy blossoms are a symbol of remembrance of war and peace. Different shades of the flower have different meanings. White blossoms represent peace. Under the current conditions of economic and ecological crisis those of us from historically marginalized backgrounds are experiencing the impact of genocide and biocide. We are living in far from peaceful and sustainable conditions.

It is through reallocation of resources, education and a commitment to build and sustain communities (through restorative and transformative justice practices) that we may find some measure of peace for the generations to come. The flower is used here to represent hope for generation liberation whenever they may be born into this world and the cycle of harm may come to an end.