An experience of "IT"

Ah...Neahkahnie Mountain.  It's one of my favorite spots along the Oregon coast and I feel fortunate it's only a short drive south from my home.  It's the place I've told my husband to toss my ashes if I go before him.  It's a place where I feel both free and utterly connected to everything. If I could fly, this would be the place where I'd earn my wings. 

This past weekend I felt like I soared and I believe I helped six other women to do the same.  Our flying took place during my annual winter-time beach retreat.  No, we didn't hang-glide off of Neahkahnie Mountain, but we all took plenty of leaps during the two days we spent together. There were leaps of trust and courage.  There were leaps into the places we normally hide and there were leaps into seeing things differently.   I saw moments of awe and appreciation, compassion and connection, authentic and creative expression and pure delight.  It doesn't get any better than this for a facilitator.  To see an idea you've created and have it be wholeheartedly embraced and expanded upon by those you hope to effect is incredibly rewarding not to mention profoundly moving. 

So as I sit here in the mid-afternoon Tuesday sun, recovering from the nasty cold that took hold of my body last Wednesday, I'm grateful to the women who chose to be a part of this weekend's retreat.  They  reminded me why I do what I do.  And even though I can't seem to find the right words to describe what "it" is, I know it's an experience we won't ever forget.

Comments

[Sharon]

as one of those fortunate women may I say: a) I am different, more contented and in touch with the real me than has been the case for a longtime, b) spontaneous laughter keeps erupting, fueled by memories of something someone did or said, c)GRATEFUL to have been a part of it and can't wait to come together again in some way. Cheers my friend!

[Christina Frei]

Lisa -
I'm so glad you did the retreat and bummed I didn't go. I really want to make it out to Portland and Cannon Beach this year. Let's be in touch. Maybe I'll go after Taos...
Christina F.

[Angela]

Wow. That looks incredible. Maybe one of these years I'll be lucky to attend one of your retreats. One goal I haven't reached since moving west is getting to the Oregon Coast, but I keep hearing how incredible it is. Glad it was a success!

[Sharon Martinelli]

I echo the other Sharon who attended the retreat. The experience was wonderful. Lisa, you created such an artful, fun, inspiring, warm and nurturing retreat. We had a chef who so lovingly and mindfully prepared our meals AND cleaned up after us. We shared the space with delightful soul sisters. And we got to see the spectacular Oregon Coast. Thanks, Lisa for making the weekend so fabulous. Oh, and you are such an inspired facilator. I won't ever forget the lovely weekend.