Editor's Letter: Issue 09, Marianne Williamson

Kristen Noel, photographed by Bill Miles

Dear Best Selfers:

As in life, often the most powerful moments of our interviews happen off set when the cameras stop rolling and the conversation unfolds organically and unscripted. And of course, I often think back, wishing we had captured them (but this isn’t a reality show). One of those very moments occurred when Marianne turned to our 20-year-old photo assistant Carter, who was holding a reflector towards her at the time, and asked him, “So who are you going to be voting for in the upcoming presidential election?” When he stumbled somewhat with his answer, I had a momentary panic attack fearing where this was going. When he responded, “I’m not even sure I am voting,” my discomfort peaked.

You see, Marianne, while being a fierce spiritual teacher, author, and lecturer – additionally has a insider’s view into politics and even previously, even put her hat into the political ring when she ran for a seat in the 33^rd U.S. Congressional district in the state of California in 2013. The bottom line…

She doesn’t merely toss platitudes around, she doesn’t simply call for change when she sees a need for it – she actually shows up to be the change.

What unfolded next in the conversation was not admonishing, but rather in the spirit of being thought-provoking. “You know, not voting is voting – and the reality is that you probably have more skin in the game here than anyone in this room.” She proceeded to speak to him about it the rest of the afternoon, seizing all opportunities to spark something within him. He wasn’t the only one sparked by her words.

I asked Carter to share some of his thoughts about this exchange – to express his takeaway from that conversation. This is what he said:

“It is easy to lose faith in a system that has become so corrupted; it takes much more effort to be a part of the change back towards health. We all have a responsibility to guide our fellow human towards a better world. This conversation kept me thinking a while, about the state of the world and my place in it, about what it means to be a human being. Political cynicism may be justified, but its not helping anything. It easy to point the finger at the people in Washington making the decisions, but…

The reality is we all have the power to create change and thus the responsibility to do so.

I plan on voting in this coming election.”

Best Self Magazine is dedicated to conversation – starting new ones, opening up old ones and inspiring shift. Prepping for this interview was daunting to say the least – where does one start when celebrating the incredible career of Marianne Williamson? When I first set out, I meditated on it. Having come across a piece she had recently written in the Huffington Post about the current state of the political and spiritual world, I knew this is the Marianne I wanted to celebrate – the one who sees the interconnectedness of our lives. To begin, I went back to a book she had written 24 years ago, one that is deemed a classic by many – A Return To Love – and in honor of Marianne, we dedicate this issue to her life’s work and a return to consciousness (and love of course) for all!

It is with great honor, respect and love that I bring forth our 9^th issue to you!

With loving awareness,