Radiant Voices interview with Yolanda Sokiri, SOUL Consultant
Yolanda has been a teacher, mentor, and friend to me for some years now. I was pleased to hear a slightly more linear version of her story.
Here are my top three human takeaways from this rich conversation—plus a profound piece of tree wisdom to feel into.
First: the willingness to recognise and respect “what is good for me now”—even when that means, “I’ve said no to this all my life, and now I’m feeling a deep visceral yes!”
I think I can get stuck in believing I know what’s good for me and what I need—and then disregard any other information.
As I write this, I’m sitting in a hospital emergency room. I’ve been here several hours and will likely be here for another one or two. It’s no big drama. I’ve badly bruised my knuckle after hitting it on a metal railing in a moment of inattention. Ouch. Maybe it’s fractured—but most likely, now that I’ve been sitting quietly for a while, it’s just sprained. I’ll let you know by the end of the post.
I would not have picked a hospital ER waiting room as a soothing space to spend time. And arguably, as the posters suggest, I could have gone via a GP.
But today, I’m tired, rushed, and in between things. I didn’t have the bandwidth to organise appointments and drive between them. Today, what I can manage is sitting and waiting—to be attended to in hospital time.
It turns out that just sitting quietly with my hand elevated has already improved how it looks, and the pain is easing.
So it seems what is good for me now is stillness. That’s a struggle for me. More than I like to admit. Stillness makes me anxious—I feel unproductive, like I’m taking up space or resources.
And what’s good for me now is to proactively confirm that I’m not badly injured. To be taken care of, practically. To be reassured. So that I have one less thing to worry about.
I realise how much I need my own medicine: pausing, until I’m ready enough to act. Trusting that I will act when I am able.
And here I am, writing today’s post.
What’s good for me now is not necessarily what I imagined would be.
Oof. That’s a lesson I keep learning.
Second: “I’m not right or wrong. I know when it’s enough.”
Such a powerful reframe. I know I spend an uncomfortable amount of time wondering whether I’m doing the “right” thing—and trying to stay on the positive side of that ledger.
But I can feel the difference it makes to tune in to a non-judgmental presence. To trust my sense of when what I’m doing (or being) is enough for now.
Part of that is also a sensitivity to when I’ve done enough—and it’s time to rest. To allow space for reflection. To return with more wisdom, rather than pushing through to an ending that leaves me depleted for the gains made.
(That sounds a lot like letting go of perfectionism.)
Good enough.
And allowing others the same grace.
Third: Which brings me to the “whoops carriers”—those of us learning to connect with others who allow grace, too.
Whoops! That wasn’t what I expected. Maybe, in reflection, a different choice could be made going forward. And maybe, I can laugh at myself for those awkward misjudgements.
Easier said than done.
Honestly? I feel foolish for being at hospital without a life-threatening injury or illness.
Still in the not-knowing phase. Maybe it’ll be funnier afterwards.
Whoops—I gave myself a hard knock through not paying attention for a split second. Ouch. The doctor assures me it’s sensible to come in and get a hand injury checked out. I suspect lots of people are in the ER for a momentary lapse of reason..
Grace and kindness. And back to what’s good for me now, as best I can figure it.
Finally, I was profoundly moved by Yolanda’s reference to tree wisdom:
Being in communion with the wind, letting seeds land where they will.
Planted in place. Grounded. And yet, so connected—so in communion with the wind—that you can trust it to carry your seeds. Let them land where they will.
Letting go of control. Releasing some small part into the world to take root and grow.
So I’m sending these thoughts out to you.
Trusting in their self-sufficiency, patience, and wisdom to land as they do—and sprout when the conditions are right.
Or maybe, be food for bots…
I’d love to know what windblown wisdom lands for you when you listen.
Good news: the bones of my hand are intact. The most important thing now is gentle movement, to avoid unnecessary stiffness. I’ve been strongly advised to take painkillers if needed, just to enable that wriggle room.
And that’s a lesson I keep learning too. Sometimes, it’s okay to take the edge off the pain in order to get moving. I don’t have to feel everything and move through it all. There’s a place for numbness, too.
Right now, YES to that.
For a Curious Mind: Notice what thoughts and judgments arise as you listen to this interview. What else would you like to know?
For a Connected Heart: Notice what feelings follow each other as Yolanda shares her story.
For a Creative Body: Dance it? Welcome Home – Wakanda Forever
From Sovereign No to SOULful Yes
What if the thing you once resisted with everything you had… became the very thing your soul was always longing for?
There will be that moment where you are in this deep ironic angst of, “but I’ve said no all my life to this and now I’m feeling a total visceral yes!?”
🌱 In this soul-stirring conversation, Rachael and Yolanda Sokiri (SOUL Consultant, Sacred EARTH guide, Oracle of the HEART) explore the radical moments when life calls you into unexpected new beginnings. From Yolanda’s roots in Africa to her United Nations work to her spiritual mentorship today, this dialogue weaves ancestral wisdom, the power of community, and the beauty of personal and collective healing into a tapestry of deep encouragement for your own unfolding path.
Glimmers*
Reflection resources to support your embodied transformation story:
- One step towards the universe: Show up with others working steadily towards their dreams. Weekly online co-working/parallel play.
- AuDHD LOVE MOVES US: with Yolanda SOULspeak. Can you listen and dance with this? Guided reflection and dance practice to reconnect you with responsive listening.
- Recalibrate your life for joy: Time to show up for yourself and find out what you truly desire. Free audio guide.
Invitation to wonder: As you listen to Yolanda’s story, I invite you to become aware of the intriguing parallels between her story and yours.
Is there a subtle invitation here for you?
What song does it call to your mind?
Could you play and dance it?
✨ Encouragement for Sensitive Souls:
If Yolanda’s story feels daunting, you’re not alone.
Big transformations can look polished from a distance—but they’re made up of many small, uncertain steps.
You don’t have to be ready for all of it.
Just stay with what’s alive for you now.
Trust that your pace is enough.
Your story is unfolding in its own time.
That’s not just okay—
it’s wise. 🌱
or listen, comment and follow on Spotify podcasts
Affirmation for Sovereign Women
Many women love to hold it all together—gracefully, instinctively, endlessly.
They are conditioned to doubt their own timing, needs, and knowing.
Which undermines our ability to act from inner authority and rest in self-trust.
Remember you can choose again, pivot, and honour your own pace.
I trust you to lead yourself with clarity, even through the unknown.
In this episode of Radiant Voices, you’ll find the story of a woman who reclaimed her rhythm, her choices, and her deep connection to what truly sustains her.
Draft Notes on Sovereign and SOULful
What is good for me now
“I’ve said no this all my life, and now i’m feeling a deep visceral yes!”
Sense into the space for “whoops!’ that’s what keeps it real. A fellow whoops carrier
Im not doing it right not doing it wrong i know when it’s good enough
Tree wisdom – being in communion with the wind, letting seeds land where they will
Yolanda has been a teacher, mentor and friend to me for some years now. I was pleased to hear a slightly more linear version of her story.
Here’s my top three human takeaways from this rich conversation, plus a profound piece of tree wisdom to feel into.
First, the willingness to recognise and respect “What is good for me now” – even when. “I’ve said no this all my life, and now i’m feeling a deep visceral yes!”
I think I can be in a way of believing I know what’s good for me and what I need and tend to disregard other information.
As I write this, I am sitting in a hospital emergency room. I’ve been here several hours and likely will be here another one two. It’s no big drama. I have a badly bruised and tender knuckle after hitting it on a metal railing in a moment of inattention. Ouch. Maybe it’s fractured, most likely, now I’ve been sitting here quietly for several hours, it’s merely sptlraines. I’ll let you know by the end of the post.
I would not have picked a hospital ER waiting room as a soothing space to spend time. And arguably, as suggested, I could have gone via GP.
And today, I am tired and rushed and between things. I could not face the prospect of organising appointments and driving between them. Today I am willing to sit and wait and be attended to in hospital time.
It turns out that simply sitting quietly with my hand elevated has already improved its appearance and the pain is easing.
So it seems what is good for me now is stillness. That’s a struggle for me. More than I like to acknowledge. I feel anxiety rising when I am still – and unproductive, even taking up resources.
And what is good for me now is to proactively confirm that I am not badly injured. To be taken care of, practically and reassured. So that I have one less thing to worry about
I realise how much I need my own medicine of pausing, until I am ready enough to act. To trust that I will act when I am able.
Here I am writing today’s post.
What is good for me now is not necessarily what I imagined would be good for me.
Oof. That’s a lesson I can keep.learning.
Second “ I’m not right or wrong I know when it’s enough.
This is such a great reframe. I know I spend an uncomfortable amount of time wondering about whether I’m doing right or wrong things. And trying to stay on the positive side of that ledger.
I can feel the difference it could make to tuning in more to a non judgemental presence in experience, trusting my sense of when what I am doing / being is good enough for now.
Tied to that is also a sensitivity of when I’ve done enough for now.
And it’s time to allow space for rest and reflection and return with more wisdom, rather than pushing through to an ending that leaves me unreasonably depleted for the benefitgaoined
Ie, when the balance of effort and outcome is in the realm of diminishing returns.
That sounds a lot like letting go of perfectionism.
Good enough
And allowing others the same grace
Which brings me to the whoops carriers, and connecting with he others who allow grace.
Whoops! That was not what was expected. And perhaps reflection indicates a different choice could be made going forward. And perhaps I can laugh at myself for those awkward misjesgements.
Easier said than done for some of us.
I have to tell you, I am feeling foolish for being at the hospital without a life threatening injury/illness.
Still in the not knowing phase. It will be funnier afterwards.
Whoops, still not organised enough to take care of unexpected injuries independently. I try, and it seems my neurodivergence makes this extra challenging. Urgh.
Grace and kindness and back to what’s good for me now – as well as I can figure it.
Finally I was profoundly moved by Yolanda’s reference to tree wisdom.
– being in communion with the wind, letting seeds land where they will
To being planted in place, grounded, and also in such connection, communion with the wind as to trust it with seeds allowing them to land wháre they will.
Letting go of control. Releasing some small part into the world to land and grow where they will.
So I’m sending these thoughts out to you.
Trusting their self sufficiency, patience and wisdom to land as they do, and sprout when the conditions are right.
Or maybe be food for bots….
I’d love to know what windblown wisdom landa for you when you listen.
Good news. The bones of my hand are intact. The most important thing now is gentle movement, to avoid unnecessary stiffness in the joints. Strongly suggested I take painkillers, if necessary, to enable that wriggle room.
This is a lesson I need to learn over and again as well. Sometimes, it’s ok to take the edge of the pain to get moving. I don’t have to feel everything and move through it all. There is an important place for numbness too.
