Choose Your Life Monday is an invitation to name what pattern you will lovingly notice this week and to do so in community. Join in when and however suits you.
I’m writing this in the Albuquerque airport after spending a delicious stupendous perfectly extraordinary week with a group of powerful, smart, talented, brave, loving women.
And I can’t write BOO about it.
I’m as blank as fresh paper.
You see, when I have the privilege of creating a retreat for such gorgeous souls, time ceases to exist. I’m so immersed in the experience, I can’t process it.
It unfolds, I respond, it passes away.
Like an extended meditation.
I love that Havi, who was our super amazing Dance of Shiva teacher this week – the women loved the dance, we nicknamed it the “shiva shit” – wrote a number of super juicy and super articulate blog posts during the retreat.
It was so wonderful to witness her process.
I, on the other hand, am mute.
Mute with awe.
In awe of the courage of the women who showed up and dove in.
In awe of the miracles of retreats – yet again, the container works its magic.
In awe of the theme of self-trust and sovereignty.
The breakthroughs! The renewal! The stories! The writing!!!!!
Yes, lots and lots of awe.
Which doesn’t make for the best blog posts, however.
So This Week
I’m going to be resting in gratitude, and resting in general. I’m going to be living my affirmation from our magical ending circle:
My life is easy, fun, and light.
There will be time for play – which is the theme at the Comfort Cafe this month. Today, we’re having a Playshop with Victoria Castle – can’t wait.
Time for hanging out.
Time to nest and paint my studio floor the deepest shade of blue so my floor is a sky and an ocean.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Deb Owen Aug 3, 2009
My focus this week is on focus. I’ve been pulled in many directions lately, and so some things have gotten a bit…scattered.
It’s time to regroup and focus.
And I’m kind of excited about it, actually.
Glad you had a great retreat! Enjoy the rest!
All the best!
deb
2 Hiro Boga Aug 3, 2009
Jen, after the magical week you’ve just created, I wish you deep rest and renewal.
This week I’m going to articulate a clear vision for my work over the next year, and commit to bringing it about.
This means creating organic structures for the work to flow into, and committing to completion dates for each element.
Becoming the ground on which that which I say YES to can stand.
Much love, Hiro
3 Kristine Goad Aug 3, 2009
The way I have explained what you’re experiencing about being blank or mute during and immediately after a wonderful experience is: you can’t write poetry when you’re busy living it.
I am new to your site and this is my first Choose Your Life Monday. My focus this week is on putting one foot in front of the other without hesitation. I procrastinate easily and often for all kinds of reasons, but last week I went on my own solo writing retreat and I feel renewed and I have momentum that will carry me through projects in all areas of my life. So this week, I will just keep moving forward without fear, one small step after another.
Thanks for the post!
4 Josiane Aug 3, 2009
Oh, Kristine, what a great way to put it: “you can’t write poetry when you’re busy living it”! So true!
Thanks, Jen, for providing such a wonderful container! It was a privilege to be one of the lucky women who got to share the experience of this retreat.
5 Marisa Aug 3, 2009
This week I am focusing on taking things just one thing at a time. From taking on projects instead of just being on a beautiful sunny day to checking out too many things at the library to buying a bunch of plants at the nursery because they will be beautiful once they are all planted, I am finding that I am moving away from simply being to being too determined to do, to learn, to BE. It is robbing me of joy. So one thing at a time, one blog post at a time, one moment at a time. It is hard because I think that I am trying to control instead of observe what happens next (safer that way??) by giving myself too much to do.
6 Mahala Mazerov Aug 3, 2009
Blank as fresh paper sounds astoundingly lovely to me.
Came across this and thought of you,
http://zintaaistars.blogspot.com/2009/08/swallowed-by-flower-curved-into-bone.html
7 Kat Aug 4, 2009
I will lovingly notice when I begin to take on other people’s business.
8 Jennifer Aug 4, 2009
Lovely conscious amazing loving women – aren’t we amazing? I love being seen by you and seeing you.
I am so heartened to continue to choose my life!
9 joy Aug 5, 2009
It always takes me awhile to process something intensely wonderful like a retreat or any type of travel that’s opened up my heart and soul. Blank is a good word to use. I’m lucky to be able to indulge in deep rest and renewal this week!
I also feel fortunate to have been part of the retreat and so appreciate the safety you created and fluidity of process that you allowed. You attracted an amazing group of women.
With love, joy
P.S. I’m allowing me to be seen. This is my 2nd public comment! Go me!
10 Havi Brooks (and duck) Aug 7, 2009
Rest away, baby!
(Also, I have to admit that I only actually wrote one post — the rest were all scribbled ahead of time, because I am a sneaky, manipulative, blog-cheating pirate).
I am also in Recovery Mode from the brilliant, beautiful retreat (retreeeeeeaaaaat!), and so in admiration of your amazing leading.
This week I will (try to) give myself permission to take things slow. Or slow-er. Or notice when I need more slowness.
11 Havi Brooks (and duck) Aug 7, 2009
p.s. good thing I didn’t make my commitment to be less parenthetical (because that totally wouldn’t work).
12 Jennifer Aug 7, 2009
Havi Havi Havi so glad you are recovering… can’t wait to see the book!!!
Joy – yeah for public comments here, we welcome you!