So I’ve written a bit about a women’s workshop I was off to this weekend; it took place yesterday at a beautiful old inn on the other side of the state. And to me, when you’ve not been to most places around you, part of the adventure is in the getting there.
A few weeks ago, as I knew he might, Hubbs pushed back on my attending. Nothing serious, just in that way he does, a steady stream of questions about who-what-where-when-and why. His Virgo-iffic nature of over-analyzing everything and thinking the worst kicked in (surely someone will kidnap me and I’ll end up dead). No, seriously, that’s how he thinks sometimes. Especially when it involves someone he loves. Here’s the extent of the threats along my route:
Clik here to view.
Anna sat in the carriage while Abe went inside. Me? 200% Safe!
I arrived at our destination, hugged my friend the Life Coach and met the other lovelies in attendance. I ran into Sara again – someone I knew once years ago – and she with the happy curls and a smile that fills her face all the way up to her eyes – was absolutely delicious.
I think we were all nervous, I know I was, but soon we settled in and a relaxed camaraderie emerged. As the workshop began we took turns listening. Looking around I wondered if just having that moment wasn’t reward enough for being there. Being heard is a powerful feeling. Being seen is another.
One woman spoke to what we’ve all experienced ~ the cattiness of other women.. and her fears about attending: would we be any different? Could we be trusted? She spoke of her losses and her triumphs and how those experiences had prepared her to be exactly where she was right now … and we found ourselves nodding in agreement. Church was in session and I was in the front pew!
Some trembled when their turn to talk came around. Bear in mind that many of us work in corporate roles where public speaking is part of what we do. Easy-peasy-pudding-and-pie. But choosing to speak about deeply personal things can render the most accomplished woman speechless. Some were at a crossroads – – marriages ending, careers stalled, children moving on. Life stretching out ahead like one big highway but what now, what would it look like and just where to start? I found myself listening to a sad-eyed woman who spoke haltingly of her profession and the toll it was taking on her. Quietly I shared background on Meyers-Briggs personality tests and our group encouraged her to not just look for a job change but for what will make her soul sing. Her smile back to us was a gift.
Across from me sat Diane, a bubbly and energetic woman with very expressive hands – she patiently listened to everyone but when I asked her our table’s question: “what are you naturally good at” her eyes firmly met mine and she confidently said, “I’m very creative.” When women speak their truth, have you ever noticed body language shifts and they lean into the answer? I l-o-v-e that.
I had several “aha’s” that come when your spirit is open and your soul is in a sacred space. And on my drive back home, I smiled at the answer I had given Hubbs as I reassured him no one was going to kidnap me and I wasn’t going to die: I can die on the couch. Life is meant to be lived and I’m going for it!
“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” ― M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth
What’s the last thing you did just for you? If you have to think about it … it’s time.
Related:
- A relationship worth cultivating
- Snapping Strings
- In the way
- Throwing away what holds us back
- I got it
- On Watering
- Getting back up
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
