Speaking to the Rock
What Self-Trust Really Sounds Like
It’s been two and a half weeks since The Nourished Leader Summit,
and I’ve had to practice what I preach — regrounding the self.
Coming off the energy of that event and walking through a family health crisis right after forced me to slow down, breathe, and remember what I teach about capacity and trust.
How you re-enter life after a major expansion is just as important as how you show up for the event itself.
These past two weeks have reminded me that rhythm is more powerful than routine.
Routine is what I do when I’m trying to control time.
Rhythm is what I follow when I’m choosing to trust timing.
And that’s what this season is asking of me — trust.
The Inner Tension
There are days when you feel two parts of yourself pulling in opposite directions.
One part longs for peace — she wants to breathe, rest, and not be asked for more.
The other burns for motion — she’s ready to build, lead, and make things happen.
When you rest, the part that craves momentum whispers that you’re falling behind. When you move, the part that longs for stillness warns that you’re burning out again.
You might find yourself standing in the middle of those two winds - the tension of leading while human: the tug between peace and progress, being and becoming, presence and performance.
The Story That Found Me
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the biblical story of Moses—a leader navigating the weight of people, promise, and pressure. There’s a moment where he’s instructed to speak to the rock so that water might flow, but instead he strikes it in anger. The water still comes, but something sacred is lost.
That story lingers because at its core its about- relationship. A relationship between the divine and the human, the seen and the unseen. It’s about trust—whether we trust enough to use our voice instead of our force, to partner with the source, with the self - instead of command and control.
Here’s the deal:
Every time you blame and shame yourself for not moving faster, or guilt yourself for needing rest, you’re striking the rock.
Every time you breathe, listen, and trust that what’s meant for you won’t pass you—and stay in compassionate dialogue with yourself instead of judgment—you’re speaking to it.
That’s when flow returns. That’s when you quietly reclaim your authority.
When We Speak to the Rock
Speaking to the rock is an act of self-trust.
It’s believing that what’s within us will flow when we honor it, not punish it.
As women, we often lead in the tension between peace and progress.
We’re told to hustle — but also to stay grounded.
To dream big — but not burn out.
No wonder we’re tired.
The truth is, both parts of us are sacred.
One is the hearth — holds warmth, safety, and stillness. The other is the flame — ignites, builds, and carries light into the world.
Together, they make a fire that can sustain, not consume.
Our Practice Now
When the part of us that longs for peace feels anxious about doing too much, we whisper: “You are safe enough to move.”
When the part of us that pushes for progress fears slowing down, we remind her: “You are safe enough to rest.”
And when we feel the tension between the two — that tight space where anxiety lives — we remember that there is always The 3rd Option - Trust.
“The opposite of anxiety isn’t calm - it’s trust.”- (as shared on the show Brilliant Minds)
Trust that both peace and power belong.
Trust that movement and stillness can hold hands.
Trust that when they do, flow returns. And that’s enough.
🌿 What’s Next for The Nourished Leader™
We’re officially back in rhythm. Starting this week, new reflections will publish every Monday, followed by Women to Know Wednesdays, featuring stories of women leading with capacity, clarity, and courage.
Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing an inspiring conversation with Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen, a fellow North Carolina Woman to KNOW 2025 and the architect of Hormone-Intelligent Leadership, as we talk all things menopause — a conversation every woman navigating midlife will want to hear.
Our From Nourish to Replenish Retreat is coming up November 14–16 — a weekend away in the mountains devoted to rest, reflection, and renewal. More details on that tomorrow.
If you’d like to bring The Nourished Leader™ experience to your organization or community, explore the new Speaking & Workshops page to learn how we can work together.
Thank you for being here. This is the rhythm we’re rebuilding — one grounded step, one true act of trust at a time.
The Future of Leadership is Nourished.