Shower Your Life with Joy

image: http://bit.ly/tghr4262015

On Sunday, April 19, Kacey, Demitra and I presented another of our one day retreats. This time our topic was JOY.

I love the community we are creating. The women come for a day of inspiration and love and boy, do they get that. You can come alone and leave with a new friend or two. There is power in that.

As is the tradition, Demitra led us in an opening prayer.

Amy Luke led us in remarkable chair yoga. Since I haven't been able to practice yoga since I fell, it was so lovely to move to her melodic prompts in a way that was easy. Savasana (the final pose) was very special and spiritual. I might have shed a tear... (of course I did!) That practice has stayed with me all week!

Korkie, our beautiful shaman & Amy - they glow!

One of the parts of our days we have come to love so much is our writing exercises.

This month the prompt was, "I feel joyful when ________" As has become our tradition, Kacey, Demitra and I read them aloud.

After we were finished I created a joy wall.

MAYfest info here: http://mayfestny.com/

Demitra shared her phenomenal expertise by letting us know what joys our astrological signs conveyed. She also took us on a beautiful journey through meditation to our future selves.

Aries
The sheer joy of living

Taurus
The joy of the senses

Gemini
The joy of exploring

Cancer
The joy of home & safety

Leo
The joy of self-expression

Virgo
The joy of service

Libra
The joy of relationships and partnerships

Scorpio
The joy of deepening relationships

Sagittarius
Joy of exploration

Capricorn
The joy of the climb

Aquarius
The joy of transforming, reveling and evolution

Pisces
The deepest state of joy

We had these signs hung up throughout the space. I promised everyone I would share them here.

My sister brought the room to a standing ovation after she shared the joy she gets from volunteering for Relay for Life.

She was mesmerizing, funny, emotional, knowledgeable, and 100% real. She has us all create a link for the "Chain of Hope" that will surround the Jack Devito field in Yorktown on Jane's birthday, June 12, this year.

If you would like to donate to Jane and her team, click HERE. Read her story on her page - it's fabulous!

Jane & me wearing the chain of hope

Once again we enjoyed a delicious lunch from B&L Deli in Cold Spring. We truly can't get enough of their quinoa salad! It was nice to visit with the wonderful women who were in attendance, including two special birthday girls who chose to celebrate with us.

After lunch, Amy led us in a rousing "breath of joy!"

And then it was time for the incomparable Kacey. Each time Kacey speaks we fall under the spell of her words and her stories. This time we experienced a group Reiki circle that had energy moving throughout the room. 

We were then led on a marvelous meditation in the "Wish Room" - a space Kacey created just for the day.

I ended the day talking about how sometimes joy is hard. Because life is sometimes hard. So, take the time to appreciate when life is sometimes awesome. It takes the pressure off of having to appear joyful all the time.

We ended the day singing and dancing to an oldie but goodie with a giant circle of hugs.

As the week has passed by I know of two fun things happened. Amy drew two cards with a private client and this is what she drew:

OF COURSE she drew these!

I went for a pedicure on Tuesday.

My nail technician was named, Joy.

I hope the women who attended this event, actually, each of our events, leave fulfilled, inspired, happy, and feeling the after affects of so much love for days on end.

I know I certainly do.

xo

PS - Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31. We have a very special day planned. Details to follow very soon!

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

https://youtu.be/yf-d-Ka30EY