Phenomenal Transformative Life Changing
How does one talk about magic?
Last weekend, 30 women from many different places
met to spend the weekend
at beautiful Palm Key Nature Retreat Center.
30 women (plus me) magically and mysteriously came together
to form a community of like-minded, heart-felt, beautiful women.
Even though most of us didn’t know each other upon arrival,
it soon became clear that we were all SISTERS
.
One of the first questions on Friday night was “What called you to retreat?” We came for many, many different reasons…to rest, to rejuvenate, to rediscover, to redecide…and I believe every single woman got exactly what she needed.
Palm Key is a fabulous retreat center – nature, the cottages, the staff…everything was taken care of so we could relax and sink into the weekend. The weather was ordered up PERFECTLY! I wish you could have been there.
The connecting with each other and ourselves was deep and profound. Friendships were formed and sealed in the fire of self-disclosure and self-discovery. Many of the women commented on how safe they felt and how willing they were to be open, to share, and to be honest. In this supportive environment, we spoke our truths about who we really are and what we really want for our lives. We recommitted to ourselves!
I sent the women a note of caution that attempting to explain to those at home what you experienced might be frustrating. How do you explain magic? Unless you were there, it’s hard to describe. It was powerful, sweet, action-packed, serene and relaxing. It was a phenomenal weekend. I hope more of you can come next time.
How might your life have different
if there had been a place for you,
a place for you to go to be with your mother,
with your sisters and aunts, with your grandmothers,
and the great and great-great-grandmothers,
a place for women to go, to be, to return to, as woman?
Judith Duerk
I’ve enlisted the help of the women who came to try to describe the magic. Read the experiences of some of the women who attended below:
12 Responses to “Phenomenal Transformative Life Changing”
I was lucky enough to get this retreat as a birthday present from my mother, who also attended. I learned that, like many other women, we all have many of the same fears and obstacles of day to day life. Talking about your challanges to others can be very motivating in making changes in your life. Hearts were touched, hands were held and tears were dried by laughter, all in a safe environment for renewal.Thank you Kathy and all my new wise sisters for embracing me and leading me in the direction in which I can thrive.
Kathy’s retreat weekend was a profound experience for me. What a gift to be able to take time out of a busy life and find communion with 31 beautiful women! A safe space was created for each of us to take off the masks that we present to the world, and to truly be seen for who we really are without fear of judgement. It truly was a magical weekend!
I look forward to continuing my journey (with Kathy’s help) in designing my best “possible life”.
It was a nutritious weekend for me. Kathy is a gifted facilitator who creates a safe environment for participants. The exercises were very helpful in terms of self-discovery and growth. Kathy provides the essential tools for continuing the learning process when you return home. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to attend this retreat.
I came into the retreat without the initial excitement I had when I registered in November. In a matter of days it seemed like my life was falling apart in front of my eyes.
Kathy helped me to really see what I was on the search for – ME! My sisters are welcome additions to my female friend group (which originally had 3 on Friday night and 30 on Sunday afternoon.
Thank all of you for helping me get through the fog and find sunlight
When I registered for Kathy’s retreat, I was giving a gift to myself…..a quiet time to reflect and figure out how I wanted my life to be. The retreat was truly a magical experience and the gift I gave to myself just keeps on giving. It was so evident that Kathy’s “work” comes straight from her heart! She is fully present, full of light and absolutely committed to helping women through her life’s work. I am excited to continue my life’s journey with Kathy’s wise presence, as I work with her designing my “best possible life”, both personally and professionally.
Kathy is “Real,” comfortable to listen to, and spiritually insightful. And, she imparts knowledge in other’s hearts of being human and yet spiritual. I tend to function in the spiritual realm, when I can get away with it. The week-end provided that opportunity for me. seeing the good in peoples hearts is a spiritual encounter. Kathy’s gentle dance validated some of the truths I have learned over the years. All of us benefited from being in the vacinity of each other, and Monday was a better day because of it. We laid the corner stones for a new community. Thank You Kathy and thank You Sisters. Let’s grow together!
Amen to all my sisters above! What an incredibly spirit-filled and encouraging weekend!
This weekend was absolutely awesome and I will never be the same. I discovered great things about myself and some things that I just need to discard if I am going to live a life of my “own” choosing. I now light at candle each morning and send all my energies toward it. I pray that God will keep me focus as I live a live of possibilities. The women were fabulous and Kathy ROCKS!!
What a group of phenomenal women! Thank you so much for helping me to explain to all the other women out there what goes on during this magical weekend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Here’s one more from Diane – she sent it to my email so I’m sharing it with you here…
As the weekend progressed I became more and more aware of the things that women share: fears that we are not enough; fear that we will not finally have the courage to claim the life we want; fear that we have given away too much of ourselves. I felt such closeness and caring and compassion for the differennt women I shared with. But the most profound thing that happened was all the love I felt towards other people was mirrored back to me and for the first time in my life I was able to see, and then believe I am enough…I am actually quite amazing. And that gives me courage.
It is the most important gift I could have been given.
Simply put, my son said- “Wherever you went this weekend, you need to go back and stay longer. I like the effect.”
In follow up to Annalisa’s comment…when I arrived home my husband told me I was “all sparklely”! And the weekend was so magical that here I am a week later more “sparkely” then when I first arrived home!! Thank you all my Sisters!
Two weeks have almost passed since the retreat, and as I read others’ responses, I can only reply with “ditto.” In addition, I have noticed a subtle change in my outlook and attitude. It takes effort, every day, but applying the strategies and using the tools is certainly worth it. Thank you.
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