At this pivotal time in global history, I feel privileged to be able to continue my life’s work, now as an elder. In my fifth career, I love acting as an ally for people who want to grow and change and find more truth, light, freedom, beauty and love in their lives. It’s all about spiritual well-being.

My primary learning has happened outside of academia, but my degrees from Stanford and Columbia Universities gave me a solid start. As a child I described myself to my parents as a “philoser,” so I knew at an early age that I was a seeker. I’ve been a student all my life, and don’t plan to quit!

Photography has been a passion since childhood, and now is not only my art form, but my metaphor for the art of shifting our perception. Photography taught me to chase light, to seek beauty in the ordinary, and to help myself and others see. In the ‘70’s and ‘80’s I created photography programs for schools and for the disabled, the brain-injured and the gifted—while also exhibiting my own work. I’m proud to be known as one of the pioneers of the little-known field of therapeutic photography.

In the mid-‘80’s I turned to a decade of fundraising for an arts non-profit, and then Stanford and the University of Arizona’s Sarver Heart Center. Then as a consultant to non-profits, I found that the dynamics that challenged them are the same ones that challenge us in our personal lives. I made my way back to personal development, training in spiritual leadership and as a spiritual director or mentor—and still help organizations with leadership and communications challenges.

In 2000, a diagnosis of breast cancer was a turning point in my life that led me to the Four Winds Healing the Light Body School, where I trained for two years in shamanic energy healing and life coaching. I began a private practice, and also worked for 7 years at Miraval Resort and Spa, began speaking at cancer events, and shared my Sand Spirits Insight Cards, published first in 2002.

Wanting to help others conquer the fear that was part of my cancer experience and my life in general, I wrote the award-winning book, Flying Lessons: How to Be the Pilot of Your Own Life. It’s about earning my private pilot’s license at 56, and uses the metaphor of flight (and 50 of my aerial photos) to talk about the spiritual journey and give people a system for meeting any challenge.

A second bout of cancer, combined with various other physical challenges, have led me deeper into the path of the wounded healer and into questions about what it means to be enlightened or liberated on this earth plane. I studied Heart Rhythm Meditation for three years, and now incorporate basic practices into my teaching and my shamanic path. I’m so fortunate to have traveled to many parts of the world, where I’ve learned from and experienced indigenous traditions that hold much of the wisdom the world needs now.

I’ve been privileged to be on the faculty of Tacheria Interfaith Center for Spirituality and to have presented at cancer conferences, the Tucson End of Life conference, at Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas, Rancho la Puerta in Mexico, and currently at Canyon Ranch on their Spiritual Wellness team. I also collaborate with my amazing daughter, Laura Weaver, leading retreats for women called Lifting the Veils: Walking in Your True Beauty.

I love writing, exploring photography and collage, spending time at our mountain cabin, and speaking and teaching. I live north of Tucson with my lawyer-turned-mediator, fly fisherman and adventurer, Jon Trachta. I’m blessed with two wonderful daughters and five amazing grandchildren. Through my own lens, life is very good indeed.