Elder Led Discussion “Life Be Lifing” to “Life Be Becoming: Life, Living, and Being Alive

SOUL – February 11, 2026
Healing Station Zoom: 2:00 PM EST
Join Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88324556318?pwd=QlNsT3lLWnc0alo3K09nN0JoaFNxQT09

“My SOUL is Still Becoming” By DRB
I’ve lived through storms they don’t write about,
Carried stories my bones still know.
They called it strength when I stayed silent,
They never asked what it cost me, though.
I raised, I worked, I stood my ground,
Did what the moment required.
But somewhere between the giving and doing,
A part of me got tired.
Butterflies for human caterpillars
Is a Brave choice to be free
It’s never too late to like the gray
And to love my authentic me.
I am not finished, not fading, and never done,
I am still becoming a better me.
The years gave me wisdom, scars, and grace,
And now Love is choosing me.
Our elders understand that a heartbeat is not the same as being alive. Join us for this SOUL session as we continue the Butterfly Monday’s discussion of the journey from Life Be Lifing to Life Be Becoming by exploring the difference between existing, performing, and truly being alive. Together, we will reflect on how life’s hardships have shaped us, how trauma has taught many of us to endure rather than enjoy, and how joy can still be reclaimed at any age. This is not about denying pain but about honoring wisdom while releasing unnecessary weight. SOUL is an intergenerational, brave space for reflection, storytelling, remembering joy, and practicing unconditional Love.
Many of our elders have lived long enough to see the phrase “life be lifing” take root. It often means life is hard, keep pushing, and don’t complain. For generations, survival was the assignment, rest was postponed, and joy was conditional. We hoped our children would find healing, even if we never did.

But wisdom teaches us something different.
Life is the heartbeat.
Living is fulfilling responsibilities, raising families, working, sacrificing, and doing what must be done.
Being alive is something deeper than life and living. It involves presence, meaning, and freedom to feel joy without guilt and to rest without apology. For many elders, trauma was normalized, pain was carried quietly, and strength meant silence. Over time, stress became associated with life itself. This is how life became living, and how that became our culture and the legacy we passed on to future generations. As elders, we have found that hardship is part of life, but suffering does not have to define it.
Being alive means allowing ourselves to experience peace, laughter, creativity, and Love, not as indulgences but as birthrights. The good news is that it is never too late to shift from survival to becoming.
Healing invites a new orientation: Life Be Becoming, which allows us to hold pain without worshiping it, joy without punishment, and returns us to rhythm, rest, purpose, and presence.
SOUL Exercise: Honoring the Journey
Step 1: Gentle Reflection
Answer slowly, with compassion:
• When I think of my life, what word comes first?
• When did I first learn that life meant struggle?
• When was the last time I felt truly alive?
There are no right answers. Only truths.
Step 2: Naming the Seasons
Write or share aloud:
• One season of my life that required survival
• One season that allowed living
• One moment, however small, when I felt fully alive
Honor each without judgment.
Step 3: Becoming Statement
Complete this sentence:
“At this stage of my life, I am allowing myself to become…”
This is not about regret, but permission.

SOUL Reflection Quiz: Where Am I Now?
Rate each from 1 (Not true) to 5 (Very true)

1. I often feel tired beyond my physical age.
2. I learned to carry pain quietly.
3. I feel guilty resting or enjoying myself.
4. I believe joy should be earned.
5. I feel disconnected from parts of who I once was.
6. I am proud of what I have survived.
7. I am open to new ways of experiencing joy.
8. I believe my wisdom still matters.
   Reflection (not scoring):
   • Which answers surprised you?
   • Which reflects endurance?
   • Which reflects becoming?

SOUL Closing Reflection
Being alive is not reserved for the young.
Joy is not disrespectful to pain.
Rest is not a betrayal of resilience.
Our life matters.
Our healing matters.
Our joy matters.
We have given Love for generations, and now intentionally and unapologetically, we let Love, Joy, Hope, and Purpose return to us.

We are becoming the “Social Architects and Alchemists” who will design our healing and transformation. Let’s affirm and manifest our divine cocoons together. #WeAreTheButterflyEffect

Read the full Butterfly Mondays Articles on the Blog: : https://welovemoredrbruce.com/ Please give Love More a Google rating: https://g.page/r/CYI0Pw3JjBrjEAI/review