Widow

This year’s Rise Up Re(treat) was everything we had hoped for and more: uplifting, transformational and filled to the brim with love.

On November 9th, 17 women joined Ken Nelson, Jane Pollak, and Paula Harris at the luxurious and impeccable Wequassett Resort on Cape Cod for a weekend retreat. Many arrived “not knowing what to expect but left with just what they needed”.

After a warm welcome check by the Wequassett front desk staff, we settled in our rooms before gathering over a beautiful buffet dinner.

In our initial session, Jane drew out of us some of the common threads that women in transition share:

• Loss
• Uncertainty
• Guilt
• Moving past pain (from death, illness, empty-nests, job loss etc.)
• Finding a footing again
• Acceptance
• The importance of friendship and community

These commonalities allowed us to open up quickly! It seemed like a connected community formed from the start, all supporting one and other with a deep sense of understanding and empathy. Ken helped us connect to ourselves mentally and physically through some meditation and movement. His sharing of poetry was another highlight.

“Thankful, grateful, spiritually connected, filled my soul, connected to something larger than myself, filled with love.”

The weekend retreat unfolded magically. Over the course of the retreat we journaled, shared ourselves, along with plenty of smiles, hugs, laughter and even some tears. Each retreat participant was able to bring her true feelings to the surface, and find the strength within to keep moving forward with a newfound sense of acceptance and meaning.

One favorite exercise had us choose a photo that reflected where we are are today and one that felt like where we wanted to be. We worked in triads to explain why we chose the photo and then received feedback form the others on what they saw for us. We did this several times in small groups before several shared with the room.

“I feel peaceful, rejuvenated and ready to get my world on fire.  I feel that I have been given the tools to attain my personal goals. Thank you!”

“I’m so grateful, empowered, connected, at peace and ready to act. Did I mention grateful?  I feel grounded, but with the ability to reach up. I feel strong. Thank you!”

A sense of community was created in such a short amount of time. Witnessing others be vulnerable and share their deeply personal emotions and stories made for some truly powerful and connecting moments. We had time to connect and share over some pretty fabulous meals including a very special dinner at 28 Atlantic where bonds were further strengthened.

As the weekend retreat wrapped up, Paula Harris led a session on the Wheel of Life, that had us examining the following areas of our lives and giving ourselves a score of 1-10.

• Business/Career
• Spiritual Life
• Significant Other/Romance
• Physical Health
• Finances
• Health
• Personal Growth
• Fun & Recreation

The results were illuminating and helped us set SMART (Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely) goals.

We are so happy and grateful with what an incredible weekend that was created. It was described as “sacred space”. There was so much progress made by all the retreatants. Thank you to each and every woman for opening up her hearts and minds to allow for such meaningful work to be done. We also want to thank Jane Pollak and Ken Nelson for creating such a positive, safe and nurturing environment and providing their invaluable expertise and insight.

Stay tuned for future retreats and events!

“Refreshed, determined, loved, rejuvenated,
blessed to have met such wonderful, loving and strong women. 
Ken, Jane and Paula are a great mix of talent, inspiration and leadership.”