Monday, June 29, 2009

A Woman's Workshop

Hello my friends, hope you all have had happy and productive days. We are having a beautiful evening and sunset is absolutely gorgeous.

Several weeks ago I was invited to attend a workshop for women near Red Deer. It was for 2 days and 2 nights and I wanted to attend but the cost was $1000. I knew I was flying home for 2 weeks in July so felt I couldn't afford to do both within 2 weeks but as it happened one of the girls in the group who was going couldn't go, so for half the money I took her place, this included the cost of the hotel, 2 breakfast, and 1 dinner. We were responsible for our own transportation and other meals. ......I was so pleased and excited to go.

The workshop was hosted by Debbie an RN from Calgary AB, the main speakers were Dr. Joan Borysenko from Colorado, (Barb you may have heard of her as she lives in the Denver area with her husband Gordon)...He has a different last name, and a native Indian lady, Esther, from Phoenix, AZ who was amazing at weaving a story of every day life that taught each of us valuable lessons.

We shared sunsets, sunrises and took part in workshops that reinforced the true beauty of this world and the people in it. Dr. Joan shared many stories which included many of her patients and family members. They included histories of an HIV patient, a terminal Cancer patient, her mother and her uncle. She was convinced that by using the story method, would help us to remember what she was sharing with us.
The theme of her speeches was "The Power of the Mind to Heal". She was warm, funny and to me fascinating. Her stories, her words will be with me for the rest of my life. She also did a form of exercise with us in a dance like motion and together we greeted the mornings and gave our thanks as the sun set. She also did deep breathing and stretches showing us how to slow down, unwind and relax. I had the best 2 nights sleep ever and awoke each morning feeling energized and refreshed. Her stories about her patients and how she as well as them dealt with illness, stress anything that we all experience during every day life taught me so much and also gave me ideas on how to help our patients when our course resumes in the Fall.

Now Esther was a joy. The stories she told us were magical and she showed us how two people hearing the same exact words can understand them as something totally different from each other. Neither of these two woman were right or wrong but depending on their attitudes one would always manage an easier way to deal with their issue. She was so funny and could change the meaning of a sentence with one word showing how one should never quote anyone unless we were totally accurate, even then to represent someones words we would have to use the same expressions, the same mannerisms. Her presence was so wonderful and I have no words to express what an influence she had on me. Even at my age, I was the student, she was the teacher.

On Sunday all faiths were celebrated, we had a choice to participate or not and I attended and absolutely loved it. Women there were young, old, fat, thin, and of many different cultures and faith. I shared with the Jewish ladies, the native ladies, East Indian ladies and of course Christians which is what I am. Everyone respected each other's faith. This ceremony was absolutely wonderful, they wore the clothes of their cultures and they looked like beautiful flowers. Oh, I loved this and their prayers.

This morning we were up at 4:45 to be ready and outside to see the sun come up. We greeted the day and all four corners of the earth. We then had breakfast before we headed into the hall to take part in our final workshop. We all sat in a circle and whoever held the rock had to share a part of their life. Some shared of problems with their mothers, their children, their employer just about every problem out there was put on the floor. There were times of great laughter and times where tears poured down our cheeks. What an experience!

Driving home we were all so calm and happy. Happy that we had attended this workshop and happy that we were together sharing our friendship. If ever any of you have the opportunity to go to a workshop with Dr. Joan Borysenko as the main guest speaker I can assure you that her classes alone are well worth the fee. As we chatted on the the long drive home we all felt the same way, at least once a year all women should attend one of these workshops. It shares what being a woman is all about and shows us ways to nurture ourselves and reinforces how women can heal herself, her family and her life which will cause a ripple effect to reach so many others.

This past weekend was special and a blessing to me. It has filled my heart and soothed my spirit. It was where I was suppose to be.

I am blissfully exhausted tonight and am going to sleep soon. It will take me a couple of days to catch up on all your postings and comments, but I will.

Good Night my friends and God Bless.........:-) Hugs

21 comments:

Eileen said...

I'm glad you had such a nice experience, Bernie. It really does sound wonderful, and you do sound very peaceful. A nice retreat for the soul.

'Glad you had a nice time away, and so glad that you are back again!
'Missed you!
Welcome Home!
All the best,
Eileen

Bernie said...

Hi Eileen, you are up late tonight. I'm sorry I haven't visited yet but I have just started reading blogs. Oh Eileen, I did have a wonderful weekend and I am... very happy.
I saw on the news those beautiful clouds over New York, did you see them? Spectular! Thank you for the nice welcome home and I missed you too........:-) Hugs

Tranquility Speaks said...

So nice to have you back Bernie :D I am very happy to know that you had a fabulous holiday. Such sessions really rejuvenate the spirit, and once the soul is calm, so are we. Continue to practice what you learnt. And teach us about it too :-)

Your description reminded me of something called Surya namaskar.It's a series of Yoga exercises. This is a list of the different poses and how to do them.

Bernie said...

Hi Stillness, we must of been commenting on each others blog at the same time.....thanks for the link, I have saved it under favorites. Is it hard to include a link on a blog or on anything really? Thank you for the award, you are a real sweetie...:-) Hugs

Tranquility Speaks said...

If you want to create a link on a post (eg. Someone tagged you and you want people to be able to click on their name and get to their blog), you need to select the text you want hyper linked and click on the link icon which you can find in the same space where you find the buttons for choosing font, adding picture and video etc.

Now if you want to send a hyper link in a comment box, the way to do it ( the link icon automatically does that for us, but the comment box does not have that provision) would be to use an HTML tag called the a tag

Follow
this for details. If something isn't clear, let me know

Wanda..... said...

Good morning Bernie...Your trip to Red Deer sounded wonderful...a lift for anyone's spirit...everyone has feelings that need to be expressed out loud sometimes...it must have been very connecting to hear women from all over, each speak of something personal...
Your words this morning have helped me Bernie...peace of mind is a very important thing to me...
yoga, meditation and simple walks
produce a sereneness for me...Your workshop experience truly sounds well worth going to.
I've had a dilemma myself...of my own making...you will understand I think...I received 3 awards from friends in our inner circle and a different award from another friend...I was so appreciatative but at the same time it made me so apprehensive and uneasy...I was just uncomfortable to post about accepting the 4 and then picking and choosing to pass them on...anyway I left a comment at Eileen's about my "dilemma"...her post was so touching...and well...it just all came out...
I value all the friendships I have made and just want all to know that...
I missed your posts while you were away.
Smile and take care!
Wanda

Diana said...

Hi Bernie, I just read your comment back to Stillness. All you do to make a link on your blog is this: When you are done posting(you don't have to wait till your done, it's just easier for me to do it all at once) Highlight the words that you want linked. On the little tool bar above your post you will see what to me looks like a little paper clip. Click on it. I believe if you hover over it it says link. Then just type in the whole address in the little window that pops up. Then I think it says done or o.k. that you click on. The link won't be clickable until you publish your post.
I hope that helps Bernie and I'm so glad that your weekend was so nice! It sounded very rejuvenating! I'm glad we have you back!

The Retired One said...

What a wonderful experience for you and the others!!!
It sounds like fate that you were meant to go.
I know with the recent loss of your friend to cancer that you needed to refresh your spirit. I am so happy for you!

Bernie said...

Wanda, I missed you and I was going to e-mail you today with my own dilemma and I had to smile as I read your post on Eileen's blog. In many ways we are very much alike. I, too came home to 4 awards, 3 from our unbroken circle and 1 from another blogger. I so appreciate them. I started blogging to share my days, to have others share their days and to enjoy the process. I feel by adding these awards makes us choose one friend over another, compete against each other and takes away a bit from the joy of blogging for me and adds even a bit of pressure to keep up with everyone. I am afraid I am going to have to take a step back and think if I am able to accept awards and still be true to my heart. I pray don't loose friends with my choice.
I will post on it soon as I have not had time to finish all my blogs, comments and acknowledgements, I need some time to think about this.
Oh yes Wanda, I had such a beautiful weekend, all women would benefit from them but they are quite expensive, so sad really. (Perhaps I could find a way to organize one locally that wouldn't cost nearly as much) I think it's because of hotel and speaker's fees really.) Talk with you soon my friend......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Diana, it's good to be back my friend. Thank you for helping me to "link". Between you and Stillness I should be able to do it now. Hope you are feeling much better Diana, and that Katie is enjoying her summer...:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Stillness, thank you for your page on "links". I will try and follow it as it's something I want to be able to do.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Joan, it was a wonderful experience and it truly soothed my soul and spirit. You leave in a state of bliss, wanting it to last forever...Loved it!.....:-) Hugs

Teresa said...

Hi Bernie,
Looks like we both learned a little something about 'Stillness' this weekend. Glad you had a good time, and I am glad you are back. (((HUGS))) T

Blessings each day said...

Welcome back, Bernie, you were very missed, but so delighted to hear of your wonderful experiences and have you share them with us!

As far as the awards are concerned, I depend on the others to make sure the award reaches you and others that we all know so that it can just be a fun thing and a time of sharing more of who we are!

By the way, could you please share some of the tips for getting good sleep with Tamara? She actually posted today!!


tons of blessings and hugs,

marcy

Bernie said...

Thanks Terri, hope all is going well with you......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Marcy, I missed you as well but so enjoyed reading your blog last night. You know I have been enjoying your guessing game more than receiving awards....Am going to pop over and see if anyone's guessed it yet and if not what your hints are today....Love it Marcy.......:-) Hugs

Valerie said...

Hi Bernie, just popped on to say there's an award waiting for you on my Val's Ramblings blog
http://tinyurl.com/mrxx8l

Bernie said...

Hi Val, thank you for stopping by and I will pop over shortly.
....:-) Hugs

Annette said...

I can see why you enjoyed this experience so much. I would love to attend a workshop like this. I like your quote, "It has filled my heart and soothed my spirit. It was where I was suppose to be." What a place to be with one's self.

Glad you're back! You were missed!

Bernie said...

Hi Annette, oh yes it was a wonderful weekend, I wish I could live in a state of bliss forever. I know you would of really enjoyed it Annette........:-) Hugs

Diana said...

Good Morning Bernie! Happy Canada Day to you! Do they have fireworks on Canada Day?
I am so excited about you reaching your goal weight. You should probably set a new one? Hope you have beautiful weather for your BBQ, it has been just beautiful here. Have a fun evening Bernie!