True JOY!

Music has always been a part of my life. From singing in the kindergarten choir at church, to listening to my older brother’s rock, jazz, and folk music, as a teenager. It was actually a huge influence in my life, though I honestly didn’t know to what extent, until I attended a songwriters’ retreat a few weeks ago! The retreat transformed my life!

The moment I walked through the doors of the Lands End Inn, on Cape Cod, I knew my life was never going to be the same. I was overwhelmed with positive feelings… feelings of acceptance, encouragement, and happiness.

Usually, I’m quite shy when I first meet people, yet I found myself opening up almost immediately. A side of my personality that had been dormant for many, many years began to emerge. The feeling of empowerment, to express myself, came from the loving, supportive atmosphere I encountered every minute I was in the presence of the veteran songwriters, talented instructors, and the “newbies”. It was simply AMAZING!

Many years ago, when I was in my 20’s, I attended a concert at a church in Minnesota. A close friend invited me to listen to a young man who played guitar and sang his original songs. This man’s songs spoke to my heart! Songs of love… how to hold onto it, the feelings surrounding it, and opening one's heart to it He also sang songs of understanding oneself and others, supporting each other, and light-hearted songs about ways we can support the earth and its healing.

Over the years I continued to play his songs for myself, friends, family, and my students. These songs, his beautiful messages contained in each one, provided me with healing during difficult times. Little did I know, so many years ago, I would have the opportunity to learn from him, feel his amazing energy, and experience the process of songwriting!

After spending four days in the creative and loving energy of this man, two of his songwriter friends, and numerous other exceptional attendees, I felt transformed! Upon reentrance to the “real world”, I told friends and relatives that this was one of the best things I’d ever done, in my entire life.

In the past I’ve attended conferences, workshops, and retreats where the “energy” didn’t feel healthy. Gossipy, negative, backstabbing, and competitive are words that describe the energy I experienced in other places. NONE of these words come to mind with this retreat. Positivity, encouragement, supportiveness, acceptance, and nurturing are words that describe the feelings I experienced.

Since no one knew me, and the atmosphere was so welcoming, I felt comfortable emerging from my safe cocoon, and my long slumber. When I left the retreat, I felt as if I was my younger, more outgoing self… the one who traveled around Europe with a friend at age 16, hiked the Besseggan Ridge in the Norwegian Fjords, and studied in Sweden during my sophomore year in college.

Today, I feel JOY, again!! I didn’t realize I wasn’t experiencing it, until the retreat revealed it to me. I feel happiness, again!!

Blessings Embraced:

• Openness toward new experiences provides many gifts

• True joy is an indescribable feeling

Affirmation: I experience true joy through enjoying new opportunities