The Alchemy of Trust
I am currently preparing to reteach one of my favorite courses, which I originally launched on Medium about two years ago. Somewhat ironically, I taught this class at the beginning of the Aries-Libra eclipses in 2023, eclipses that will come to a close at the end of this week.
For me, Aries season and its energy always highlight the contrast between relationships and independence. Therefore, it’s no surprise that I was teaching a class focused on love at the onset of these eclipses.
In teaching this course, I wanted to shift the focus away from love as portrayed in romantic idealizations commonly found in music and film. Instead, I aimed to foster a deeper, more spiritual understanding of love — one that encompasses our communities and our planet. In the classroom, I also encouraged students to love with the same depth and intensity with which we love ourselves and a higher power.
While working on this project, I drew inspiration from several songs that illustrate the idea of moving away from love, as well as moving toward it. One song that has been particularly prominent in my mind is Aaliyah’s “At Your Best.” I find that it provides a profound definition of spiritual love, especially the line, “But at your best, you are love. You’re a positive, motivating force within my life.”
Music often equates love with just a feeling, but we frequently overlook that love is actually an action word. It involves movement and consistent care. I appreciate this definition because it provides a simple and clear example of how to define love and its opposite. So, I hope you enjoy the poem and see how this song inspired it.
“The Alchemy of Trust” by FJDay
At my best, I am love
Limitless creativity and caring
Abundant outpouring of inner truth
At my worst, I am fear
Limiting credibility and crisis
A stagnant reckoning with false proof
In the middle, I am Trust
Making Pathways from Fear To Love
In the moment,t I am Just
Moving mountains from truth to proof
