“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” Helen Keller

Who will you genuinely acknowledge today? Who is waiting to be seen? Who has stepped forward, took a risk, opened themselves up … and now looks for some nod that they are appreciated for who they are?

This might be the day you change someone’s life.

“In the end what matters most is …

How well did you live

How well did you love

How well did you learn to let go”

Unknown Author

Really, what does matter to you and what will matter to you when you reach the end of your life? If it matters then, make it matter now. People live with the awkwardness of regret lurking in the shadows. They know what matters and they know it will catch up with them AND they still resist.

In the end, there are few second chances. This isn’t meant to alarm or scare or intimidate anyone into action. It is a one of those gentle reminders that life as we know it can feel short. Losing someone we love is a painful way to be awakened to what matters. Losing our home or possessions by our own hands, by the economy or by a violent act of nature can sharply narrow our focus to what we care most about.

Letting go is probably one of the easiest ways to claim freedom and peace of mind AND one of the least chosen options. I’ve witnessed so many people take grudges to their graves. What a waste of energy and life. So how well have you learned to let go? What could you let go of today – hurt, anger, shame, fear – that would release you from a disempowered place and give you a chance to experience the magnificence of this moment?

Because in the end, that’s all that really matters.

Yesterday, after much consideration I decided to lower the cost of my September Retreat. Reworking my calculations I found a way to save some money AND I adjusted my fee. Why? Because I want the experience to be accessible; affordable. Of course I need to make money to feel fairly compensated for my efforts and I will be. I also know that I can offer the same powerful retreat experience for a different price.

The Marketing Manipulation piece opened up when I came up with the new cost: $610.00. Almost immediately I thought “I can drop that to $599 or $595 because it sounds like less.” Suddenly I realized I was usually a tactic that is so commonplace most of us probably take it for granted. By asking for $595 or $599 I’m saying “Look at this – it’s under $600 – what a deal”. Honestly I think that most people would read either of those numbers and think “Okay, it’s $600 bucks”. So why not just say it? Why not be honest? In some ways there is a sense that using this angle says “I don’t think you’re smart enough to see through my attempts to convince you this is cheaper than you think.” God, how arrogant and condescending. And now every marketing person is rolling their eyes and discounting me as naive or ignorant. That’s fine. I’m not attached to being accepted by everybody!

I’m tired of what feels like manipulation to me. I realize that I may not be as successful as other people because I don’t take advantage of smart, little tips to market or promote myself and my work. So be it. Everywhere I look in this world someone is spinning something. It’s hard to avoid.

For me, I feel a need to “come clean”. I’m lowering my price because I want eight women to come to the September Women’s Wisdom Retreat and see themselves in the most amazing light. I want them to change what isn’t working, celebrate what is and go back into their world with confidence. I KNOW what can happen here and I see it over and over and over again. My biggest challenge is getting that message out in an honest way; a conscious, respectful way that says “I trust you’ll know this is right for you.” I’m working on it.

If you want to be seen as “the same” or fitting in or part of something it can be very challenging to blend when you are inherently “different”. And what does that say about the rest of us who don’t see you as the “same”. Visible minorities and disabled people have battled this situation for years. I’m also aware of how aging is impacting our perception of people’s abilities. As a good friend stated, “People don’t expect a woman of my age and appearance to have anything of value to offer.” That bothered me. Probably because I’m almost the same age and have rebelled against a professional or perceived “required” appearance for years. It might even now be listed in psychology books under the “Susan Boyle syndrome”.

There is a way in this fast paced world that we look for the most expeditious route to get what we want. That might mean discounting someone who looks different in favour of someone who fits our visual image of competence. There is a lot we can learn from our assumptions.

I wonder what wisdom we are missing.

What I’ve noticed is that the energy lost in a battle to “brain things into being” depletes the creative juices that would otherwise rise to the top. And I also believe that it signals the universe that you don’t trust whatever divine process might be happening at this moment.

It takes courage to surrender and it is definitely not about giving up. Never. It is about trusting that you are being guided and that the monkey chatter in your head and twisting knots in your stomach will not lead you to the answers or the goal. Instead, allow what naturally and powerfully wants to show up inside and all around you. Make peace with the frightened voice that demands that you try harder. The truth is that sometimes we get exactly what we want when we let go.

We are up to something in this world. It is yet to be clearly defined and I would say it may never be. While having a sharp focus that can easily be articulated might be useful in explaining ourselves to others, what makes this group so intriguing is their ability to “feel” what is in the “space”, listen beyond word or sound and ultimately go where we are sent.

The power of our deep connection gives us the safety and confidence to take on global challenges and small quests. And we are not exclusive. Gently, with reverence and genuine appreciation, we open our hearts to anyone who slips into step with us. We are committed to serving; serving our planet; serving humankind; serving the divine. We do it in many different ways and we do it with the full knowledge that we are being called, always, to a greater need than our own. It’s awesome; awe inspiring.

So what does all this mean? Stay tuned. As we use the energy of this past week in the sacred lands of Tobermory on the tip of the Bruce Peninsula we spread out like waves (sometimes soothing, sometimes wildly excited) into the world. Make no mistake we are here to awaken those who invite us in. We are here to transform the consciousness of those who want to understand. We are not here to fix. We are here to share.

We are Wild Boars and we are here … now.

Changing is NOT the problem. Our attitude about change IS. Every excuse for change is just a finely crafted exit strategy. It might well be that change, at this moment, doesn’t fit. Fine. Own it for what it is and stop whining about it. If the changes you want are gnawing at your insides then it’s time to stop lying to yourself and hiding behind denial. Do I sound a little preachy today? Am I being loud and harsh? I hope so. I’m tired of the denial that I hide behind in my own life. Tired of watching the people around me hide behind their denial.

Yes, it can take courage to change. Yes, it can take willpower. Yes, it can take much longer than most of us would like. So what? Living with a slow, steady thumping in the depth of our souls, back of our minds, shallows of our hearts is far more detrimental to our emotional, physical and spiritual health than the effort it takes to shift gears. Time moves on whether or not we do.

I tell people all the time (probably more often than they care to hear) that if you want something in your life to be different, first SEE it differently. Change your perspective and you change the challenge/problem. Change scares people. I offer retreats that boast “Change Happens Here”. People get scared. They would rather blame and complain than actually show up in their life.

Okay, I am definitely off the radar on my passion thermometer. Do I mean every word? You betcha. Will I take this message into my own life and use it? You betcha. Do I want to hold myself accountable AND hold others accountable? You betcha.

Come out from the shadows and change what you’ve been hiding from.

Women’s Wisdom Retreat

At least until it’s time for another load of laundry!

What I know for certain is that I don’t want the momentum to disappear in the wake of a long “to do” list. AND I especially don’t want to escape into possibilities while what is in front of me waits impatiently. So the trick is to recover. To recover with confidence, certainty, expectation, energy. To recover with intention; with balance. To join the doing and being so that one is not forgotten or avoided.

For those who only days ago sat at the water’s edge with me, smelling the fresh air, hearing the gulls cry, warmed by the morning sun … I am reminded of a favourite quote by Marianne Williamson. “Now is the time to show up fully for life, whatever the circumstances.” Indeed, now is the time to recover … to self, to life as it shows up now, to life imagined.