Live the Process | The Fix: Tracee Stanley
The Fix: Tracee Stanley
My name is: Tracee Stanley.
I'm known as: A spiritual guide, author and speaker.
My expertise is: Ritual, ancestor reverence, yoga nidra, meditation and self-inquiry.
I stay physically healthy with: Daily hikes and yoga nidra practices in nature. Spontaneous dancing and online workouts with Francheska Martinez.
I keep my emotions balanced by: Practicing rasa yoga, the yoga of emotions. I take time to dance and observe each of the nine emotions—love, humor, wonder, courage, calmness, anger, sadness, fear and disgust—and then journal afterward. Chanti-Tacoronte-Perez is my favorite teacher to practice this with.
I am intellectually stimulated by: Books and documentaries. I am currently reading Caste by Isabelle Wilkerson, and my favorite documentary this year is My Octopus Teacher. I have always been an avid reader of non-fiction. My favorite films are based on true stories like 12 Years a Slave and Harriet.
I was recently transformed by: The power of connection with virtual community during the height of the pandemic lockdowns and the uprisings of 2020. I offered a free 21-day meditation journey during that time, and it was amazing to see the real power of social media and virtual classrooms as healing, nurturing and brave spaces.
In the last six months, the ritual that has become so important for me is: Walking in and observing nature. Everything is a cycle of birth and death, creation and recreation. Life is always in transition, but it is when we resist change that we suffer. Observing the shifts in nature fosters joy and hope in seasons like springtime. Yet fall and winter help us to build the qualities of resilience, acceptance and trust. Summer brings in lightness, vibrancy and beauty. Each morning, I pause to watch the sunrise and sunset as a way to honor the sacredness of my day and attune me to the natural cycle of life.
Here’s how you can do it too: Take some time to go outside for a few minutes each day. Notice the environment that surrounds you, the plants and trees. Notice where they are in the growth cycle. Notice the animals that you see. Each day, as you go outside, begin to notice the changes. Notice how this change in nature mirrors the transitions and changes in life. As you continue, begin to learn the names of the trees, birds and animals in your environment. Notice the habits and personalities of all of the creatures, including the insects.
It helps me live my process because: As I begin to become more attentive to nature outside of myself, I notice my inner nature. The process of observing nature without judgment helps me to become more present, understanding and accepting. When I connect with nature, I heal.
Take a moment to learn more about Tracee Stanley’s journey here.