About Life Illuminated and A Bit About Me:
Via interview on aijcast or read here!
Greetings! I'm Katie Archibald-Woodward. I'm delighted you've come to visit Life Illuminated.
Life Illuminated
When the name Life Illuminated popped into my mind this little light lit inside me. I said the name aloud. A smile broadened across my face and I could feel this twinkle in my eyes. It was the sense of hope and dream of what it might be like to live a life that is illuminated.
About Me
I am a connector. It’s the core of who I am. Being a connector draws me to people, to nature--to beauty. It has set my heart on a path that longs to bring individuals, cultures, and all the deliciousness of life together. I aim to enliven hearts and minds to the essence of who each one of us is and why we live: to live a life illuminated.
Born and raised in southern California, I went north to study at Willamette University in Oregon followed by a move to Atlanta, Georgia to earn my Master of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary. I am an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and serving at Villa International in Atlanta. A growing desire to help connect people with their spirit, mind and body led me to a certificate in Spiritual Companioning through the Shalem Institute, 200+ hour Yoga certification through Yoga Point India, and a certificate in Digital Photography at Emory University.
You
I want to encourage you to dream and dream bigger. To reflect on who you are, what you like, what makes you come alive--that voice of the genuine within you. What is true and purposeful. As the great mystic and theologian, Howard Thurman, says, "Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Spiritual Accompaniment
So, it is my delight through spiritual accompaniment, commonly known as spiritual direction, to be a companion to you on your magnificent life journey. To explore the genuine in you, what makes you come alive and also what constricts your life, and partner with you as you discover for yourself the vastness of love, grace, and freedom that is ever and always for you. Learn more here. Book a session here.
Yoga + Pilates
Getting more connected to my body entirely changed my life. I grew in freedom, ease, joy, clarity and love. I had no idea the benefits that awaited me and was amazed. Amazed by the power of rhythmic, conscious breath in sync with my body that relaxed my mind, opened clarity, and grounded me in self trust and connection. It is my great joy to share the transformative practices of yoga and pilates with you that you might nurture the harmony of your great trinity of body, mind, and spirit.
Retreats, Workshops, Travel
Through workshops, retreats, international travel, and multi-week courses, it is my joy to facilitate opportunities for you to connect more deeply with yourself, God, and the world we live in. See my offerings here.
Compassionate Action
Since 2016 I have been developing storytelling exhibitions to educate communities about life in Palestine and Israel through the stories of local people. The collection of projects is called "Through The Checkpoint", also the title of the first set of stories. The body of work is being created in partnership with the Creative Visions Foundation. In November of 2018 I created “Children of Bethlehem” in partnership with Dar Al-Kalima School in Bethlehem to give a window into life in the West Bank through the eyes of children born in the same city as Jesus 2,000 years ago. My newest collaborative project is with Anar, a non-profit based in Bethlehem providing psychosocial support for Palestinian children. I am helping them expand their successful creative writing workshop, Makan, in order to reach more Palestinian communities. Our aim is to empower children to become the authors of their own life stories and agents of change, transforming their personal and communal futures through the healing power of the arts. If you would like to support Makan you can do so here.
Reiki
The powerful healing art of reiki is a gift that has transformed my life and offer it that you might also experience its wondrous benefits. Learn more here. Book a session here.
Photography
It is my pleasure through photography to illuminate the beauty of this life. To reflect your radiance in head shot portrait sessions. To offer inspiring images from around the globe to brighten awareness, motivate connection, to stir awe, to beckon rest, and invite reflection. To guide you in cultivating your gifts and skills as a photographer, both the basics and exploring a contemplative approach.
I hope you enjoy Life Illuminated and look forward to companioning you on your path.
Blessings on your journey and the glorious unfolding of your life!