Maggie Butler... leading retreats here and there
The 8 Wonderful Wise Women at the first annual Gift of the Sea Retreat. Maine, April, 2007
This past month has been a month of retreats for me, leading women’s retreats on both sides of the Atlantic - in Maine and Ireland. I love the life I continue to create; love how my life intention continues to unfold and be enriched by so many creative, dynamic, reflective women from around the world.
At the end of April I had the privilege of leading 8 women on retreat in Maine. Gift of the Sea was held at the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Saco, Maine. Four days prior to the retreat, the southern coast of Maine was battered by a Nor’easter with hurricane winds that left major and heartbreaking destruction behind. Miraculously, by the time Friday arrived, the Coast of Maine was at it’s best: The bluest of skies and an ocean that just sparkled and danced in the sunlight to welcome these 8 women on their weekend journey to find the unique gift the sea was offering to them.
Coach Judith Geiger , a wise and gentle woman, attended this retreat and has already written about it and her experience in this blog. (Thanks, Judith!) I’ll only add that this fabulous group of women ranged in age from early thirties to 60, and resulted in a very richly textured tapestry of wisdom, experience and knowledge. What a pleasure it was to work with this group of unique individuals who shared in common a desire to create a space and time in their busy lives to experience the transformative power of nature, reflect on their lives, think about their heart’s desires. We laughed, walked barefoot on the beach (some at sunrise), journalled, walked an Audobon Trail in silence, did collage work, slept to the sounds of the ocean, sang and played a game or two. Because of the beautiful setting right on the ocean; because of the enthusiastic response of the participants; and because I loved doing this retreat so much....This retreat was the First Annual Gift of the Sea Retreat! Maybe we'll see you next year?
Back here in Dublin last week, I facilitated a one-day retreat for a group of women who attended my January, “2007 – Live Your Best Year” retreat. Last Friday we followed up on intentions they created at that retreat. We also looked at what was working for each of them, what wasn’t (then letting go to make room for another possibility), and shared wisdom from their journeys. With honesty and courage we heard that in spite of (or because of) disappointments and setbacks, all agreed that living their lives with focus and intention, as well as feeling respected and supported, was indeed making 2007 their “Best Year”.
They left energized, supported, encouraged and raring to go on a weekend post-Solstice retreat I will facilitate for them in August. This retreat is the third in a series of four designed to support them through the year as they create their lives with intention. We’ll be in a wonderful setting: a small, but big-enough cottage in the countryside of the Wicklow Mountains where we can walk, rest, collage, reflect and dance in the moonlight.
It’s a wonderful life, really, and I have a grateful heart.
At the end of April I had the privilege of leading 8 women on retreat in Maine. Gift of the Sea was held at the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Saco, Maine. Four days prior to the retreat, the southern coast of Maine was battered by a Nor’easter with hurricane winds that left major and heartbreaking destruction behind. Miraculously, by the time Friday arrived, the Coast of Maine was at it’s best: The bluest of skies and an ocean that just sparkled and danced in the sunlight to welcome these 8 women on their weekend journey to find the unique gift the sea was offering to them.
Coach Judith Geiger , a wise and gentle woman, attended this retreat and has already written about it and her experience in this blog. (Thanks, Judith!) I’ll only add that this fabulous group of women ranged in age from early thirties to 60, and resulted in a very richly textured tapestry of wisdom, experience and knowledge. What a pleasure it was to work with this group of unique individuals who shared in common a desire to create a space and time in their busy lives to experience the transformative power of nature, reflect on their lives, think about their heart’s desires. We laughed, walked barefoot on the beach (some at sunrise), journalled, walked an Audobon Trail in silence, did collage work, slept to the sounds of the ocean, sang and played a game or two. Because of the beautiful setting right on the ocean; because of the enthusiastic response of the participants; and because I loved doing this retreat so much....This retreat was the First Annual Gift of the Sea Retreat! Maybe we'll see you next year?
Back here in Dublin last week, I facilitated a one-day retreat for a group of women who attended my January, “2007 – Live Your Best Year” retreat. Last Friday we followed up on intentions they created at that retreat. We also looked at what was working for each of them, what wasn’t (then letting go to make room for another possibility), and shared wisdom from their journeys. With honesty and courage we heard that in spite of (or because of) disappointments and setbacks, all agreed that living their lives with focus and intention, as well as feeling respected and supported, was indeed making 2007 their “Best Year”.
They left energized, supported, encouraged and raring to go on a weekend post-Solstice retreat I will facilitate for them in August. This retreat is the third in a series of four designed to support them through the year as they create their lives with intention. We’ll be in a wonderful setting: a small, but big-enough cottage in the countryside of the Wicklow Mountains where we can walk, rest, collage, reflect and dance in the moonlight.
It’s a wonderful life, really, and I have a grateful heart.
Peace,
Maggie
www.maggiebutler.net
Maggie
www.maggiebutler.net
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver
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