Showing Up… as Ourselves

Day-After Reflections

All of us–okay, I’ll speak of me here–can think of things we planned and that, in the moments of our having the floor, didn’t flow as planned.  Other words flowed instead.
I did more talking than I wanted–as if I was the only one in the room with wisdom to share.  I tried to pack too much in.  And not being disciplined to write a speech script, getting sidetracked is easy.  It could have been better if …

That’s one version of the story.

And just now while I’m writing, a text comes in from one of the participants:

The moments when you lost yourself in the wisdom, meaning–that’s when your pure magic came through.  – Jenni

Another version of the story is this:

Our role–the three of us, together and individually–was to provide a space and time for those women who gathered to connect with each other, to hold meaningful conversations; to hear, see, and experience everyday human women showing up as themselves; sharing their souls, hearts, light…who they have become, and a glimpse of how that happened.
The imperfections were offset by our courage to show up and speak our own words, share stories that changed our lives, open uncommon conversations, and offer ideas that some might not agree with–or might identify with deeply.

The real take-away

The real take-away of Saturday is that we showed up as ourselves, and spoke out loud, imperfections and all.  We spread our seeds of Happiness, exchanged pure positive love and light with all.  And in the process, gave permission to every other woman there to be and share themselves also.
We were energized and soul-fed, as well.  And  very deliciously body nourished also.  Thank you, Janet.
There is great value in showing up as us, allowing the Divine to play with us, and in providing a safe place for meeting and talking.  We don’t do this work alone… I don’t do this work alone.  There is beautiful magic in creating, writing, speaking, art, life … show up in life as us…playfully.

Divinity and Creativity

Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred.
What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all.
We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits.
We are terrified, and we are brave.  Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege.
Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us.
Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise–you can make anything.
So please calm down now and get back to work, okay?
The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.

(Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic)

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Self-loved and Soul Happy,

my part of last Saturday’s Happy Me 2018 retreat day.
Always there’s more that can be said and added.  I let go of the outcome and allow that what flowed out, especially the unplanned, was meant to be.  And because I know there’s always more, I created a page of resources for guests to access after the event.
In their daily hustle and bustle, will they look?  Explore?  Review their notes and find the link?  I hope so.
And if you missed it, repeats are available.  Ask.
Anne