A Retreat in 30 Minutes or Less

I have a client who works in a dysfunctional, male dominated environment where alpha and beta males are all trying to mark their territories (and that is putting it nicely). During our coaching session this morning she confessed that she is weary of them trying to "piddle" on her, too.

This client is exhausted from having to "play their game." In a previous session, we had discovered that she has a latent Xena Warrior Princess in her and she has been letting her Xena persona come out when dealing with her colleagues. But she was wondering if the battles that Xena was waging were the source of exhaustion.

This is the perfect type of question to ask yourself for a mini-retreat. And the retreat doesn't have to be a big deal. It can be in the comfort of your own "nest" or in a beautiful location such as by a river or at the beach (I'm an Aquarius, so I'm partial to water locations). Grab a journal, a candle (if appropriate) and soothing music. Take a deep breath and close your eyes. In your mind's eye, see your inner wise woman come to you and sit with you. Do you need to be soothed? There have been many times that I've visualized myself crawling into the lap of my Inner Wise Julie just so that I could be nurtured. Ask your Wise Woman your question and then write down her response (without editing! I know we are prone to wanting to edit what we write down, but it is hard to listen to our Inner Wise Woman if we are telling her what to say!). I truly believe that our hearts, our Wise Woman will tell us what we need to know if we just stop to breathe and listen to her.

It turns out that my client realized that it wasn't Xena who was creating these battles but the last vestiges of her "victim" persona that was trying to create situations where she would be a victim. Her Xena self gives her strength and power to cut through the garbage that these colleagues try to throw her way. The Victim persona was the one creating her exhaustion. Together, we created a variation on Prince Charming cutting through the thorns in order to get to Sleeping Beauty. In order to get to the castle (the life she desires), my client will have to cut through the thorns. However, she is also the one in the castle, taking care of herself and getting the rest that she needs.

In September, I will be facilitating a Princess Power retreat in the Enchanted Forest (also known as Big Sur in California). In many fairy tales, the princess must go through the scary forest in order to find her personal power. During this weekend long retreat, we will explore those "spooks in the forest" that keep us from living our magical life. I hope you'll join us and find your Princess Power, too! Fairy Godmother Coaching Website

Until next time,
Make it a magical day!
Dr. Julie