A few items to highlight before I get into this month’s topic!

• Firstly:  A warm welcome and big hug to all my new readers!  I hope you enjoy being a part of this community.
• Secondly:  Save the date!  My Way of the Happy Woman Winter retreat is set for January 28, 2017.  Registration will open in December!
• Thirdly:  I am offering a special mini retreat for women who have been going through cancer.  If you know of a woman who might benefit from or be interested in attending my mini-retreat please share this newsletter with them.

Thanks and now onto this month’s topic!

Being Authentic is Messy!

• “I’m feeling quite tired,” one woman said.
• “My body is aching,” shared another woman.
• “I’ve got a headache,” commented several women in the circle.

As I listened to the women in the retreat circle share how they were feeling I could feel the beginnings of panic.  What had I done??  I had lead the retreat in my usual way but I had never had so many of the participants give a seemingly negative report of their experience.

 I brought my attention back to the women speaking and while there was plenty of positive feedback and deeper awarenesses being shared my mind kept drifting back to the fear that I had done something wrong.

Later, when I sat down to process the whole retreat I realized that I had done something “wrong.”   Instead of wanting these women to have an authentic and transformative experience, I had wanted them to have a “good” and blissful experience.  Whoops….slipped into my ego again!

Technically, there is nothing wrong with wanting people to have a good experience with something.  It’s just that the Way of the Happy Woman is about being authentic no matter what is happening in your life.  By trying to create a “good” outcome I could have denied the women from having a truly authentic experience – an experience that has highs and lows, “good” and “bad,” comfort and discomfort.  It is this combination that creates a deeply rich and authentic experience of life.

My coach is always reminding me that the cause of suffering is the pursuit of pleasure without pain.  When we try to have only the good and perfect experiences we cut ourselves off from the learning and growth that can happen when things go “wrong.”

Being authentic is messy!  Being true to yourself means embracing your good and not so good qualities.  Sometimes you will feel good and sometimes you will feel sad, have a headache or aches and pains in your body – it’s all a part of living a full life.  The women in my retreat were opening themselves to the truth of their experience and I am grateful that they could share it authentically.  They reminded me that everything is welcome and when we can welcome the good and the bad, transformation is inevitable.

Are you willing to be authentic – in all of its (and your) messiness?  It’s not always pretty but I guarantee that it is the most direct path to joy that I have ever encountered!  Here’s to getting messy!

Love,

The Way of the Happy Woman

Autumn Mini-Retreat for Women Experiencing Cancer

Are you a woman who has been through a diagnosis of cancer and treatments? Are you ready to learn a deeper level of self-care that profoundly nourishes you and your body?  Self-care isn’t selfish; in fact, it’s a road back to yourself.  When we women slow down and attune to our bodies (and the cycles of nature), we become more vital, creative, and powerful.

If you would like to experience some nurturing, groundedness and peace, please give yourself the gift of attending the Autumn retreat.  Registration is open and you can visit here for more details and to claim your spot in the circle!  I can’t wait to have you join me!