The Sacred Space of Retreat

Mother & Daughter Retreat

In December, I had the honor of facilitating a custom retreat for a mother and daughter. The mom, Mandy, is in her early 40′s and her daughter, Samantha, is 9. It was their first retreat–either alone or together. They were full of anticipation of what the day might bring.

Both Mandy and Samantha sat facing one another. There was a sense of not knowing, but both their faces were glowing with willingness.

As each one held a small handmade basket, they carefully touched and looked at the special rocks in the bottom of the basket. They deliberately picked up one and held it close to their hearts. Touching. Grasping the rock. The excitement from Samantha was bubbling out of her.

Samantha turned over her rock first. She read the word etched into it and carefully thought about what it meant to her. She looked deeply into her mother’s eyes and, with complete clarity, she shared from her heart what the word meant to her. Her mother listened tenderly. Then Mandy did the say thing. At the end, they hugged and smiled.

Both Mandy and Samantha came to make an Intention Board for 2010. They knew what they wanted from their relationship individually, but did they know together? They wanted to find out. They went to work on the joint intention board–and vowed not to speak a work while they did it.

As time when by, you could see that they had surprises as each of them pasted the pictures and words on the board. More understanding came by the moment. Deeper commitment came as they build their 2010 dream together. It was a birthing of a life that they planned together–on purpose.

The sacred magic had begun–and there was a sense of holiness to what was happening.

Samantha asked, “what’s next?” I gave both of them a card with two questions.

They asked each other the questions. They answered. There was laughter, silliness, a few tears and deep meaning in what they said to each other. They strengthened their connection.

They each ended with the their loving commitment to one another by saying:

I accept my daughter exactly as she is.

I accept my mother exactly as she is.

They looked into the face of the other for the longest time–and smiled as they drank in the joy of the moment.

Eager for more, they took a little book of spiral bound index cards in hand. I gave them some suggestions. They put their heads together and excitedly decided they would give them as a Christmas gift to one another for next year. They named it their Love Book. They would decorate it and then write, draw, create–all year long–and then give it to one another as a remembrance of their special relationship. They wanted to capture the meaning and depth of their love in this book.

It was the end of the retreat. They held hands, looked into each other’s eyes and said:

I accept my daughter exactly as she is.

I accept my mother exactly as she is.

I wonder what this world would be like if every woman–young and old–would give the sacred space gift of being on retreat to themselves.

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.”
~ Joseph Campbell

Blessings, Lee

There’s a Virtual Clutter Buster Retreat coming up May 22nd. It’s a fantastic time to gather with other women who want to take some serious action around the stuff that is draining their energy. It is F*ree to the wise women who sign up for the Newsletter. Sign up and come! It’s fun and we get great support being together.