2012 Be Present Retreats

I am delighted to announce that registration for three of the 2012 Be Present Retreats began today!

Pen & Paper

Teachers: Susan Wooldridge, Kelly Barton, and me 
Dates: March 14-18
Location: Frog Creek Lodge in Lakebay, Washington
Find out more details here. 

The Midwest Retreat

Teachers: Jenna McGuiggan, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: May 2-6
Location: Culver, Indiana
Find out more details here.

Your Story

Teachers: Ali Edwards, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: June 20-24
Location: Lodge at Little Beach in Gearhart, Oregon 
Find out more details here.
(This retreat is already just about half full!) 

The site also has a new About page. And there are a few exciting details that will be a part of all retreats moving forward, including:

A kit for all the mixed-media workshops that will include everything you need to get messy with Kelly (she is coming up with quite a juicy list!)

AND

A take home self-care kit designed by me that will support you in continuing to create space for creativity and self-care when you return home. This kit will become a companion for you during the sometimes challenging re-entry experience after time away from your daily life.

(There will be a fourth retreat, Unearth, in the Fall of 2012 with Mindy Lacefield, Kelly Barton, and me. More details will be on the website early next year.)

*****

Chief Grounding Officer Announcement

I am over the moon thrilled that Kelly Barton has signed on as my "Chief Grounding Officer" starting this Fall. After she taught at and helped me with several retreats, it became clear to me that all the retreat participants moving forward need to encounter her special combination of joyful, real, sparkling magic as part of their experience. It also became clear to me that I needed this kindred spirit with me on the journey as she simply and truly invites me to stay grounded. I am delighted to share that Kelly will be teaching mixed-media workshops at each retreat in 2012. And she will be bringing joyful laughter with her. There is just something about her spirit that invites others to feel comfortable inviting in joy. (Thank you my friend.)

autumn observations

right here

dear girl,

i want to remind you that living your dreams into reality is big work. and you are doing it. even as the laundry piles and the dust settles in and leftover takeout food waits in the kitchen. even as you sometimes say the last thing you meant to say. even as you let the tears fall. even as the beauty of it all surrounds you like a blanket. even as you wonder how you arrived at this moment, you know you are just where you need to be. 

remember to be gentle with yourself. you can only do so much each day. 

be gentle with yourself. you must remember to rest.

be gentle with yourself. steep learning curves sometimes require time away from the expectations of others.

be gentle with yourself. joy can be your companion.

be gentle with yourself. trust what you know.

be gentle with yourself. just be right here.

with big love,

me

well...

this was supposed to be a post where i was going to share some more about my current self-care...and a bit about rest and playlists and putting on a favorite old thrifted sweater.

this was the supposed to be the post i have been writing in my head today.

but it is so so late and i am so so tired and pretty much out of words after writing and typing in the inbetween spaces today.

so instead, i am sharing this photo i took yesterday when ellie and i went exploring in point defiance park.

i took a lot of photos, but this one, with the light just so and those eyes...well, this photo says enough i think.

sending love and light to your corner,

liz

through the instagram lens (october)

notes for the journey (october)

slowing down to notice . april in port townsend, wa

after teaching the creative self-care workshop yesterday (such a truly beautiful day spent with amazing women), i have been thinking about a few things that are inspiring my own creative self-care:

slowing down again and again and again to see the world around me. for a minute, for ten, for an afternoon if possible

ali's list of little things

jenna's alchemy daily: it starts tuesday, and it's a 30-day frolic of prompts, inspiration, and writing magic with juicy goodness arriving in your inbox each day. if you are thinking about blogging every day in november, this would be a good place to get some inspiration.

kristin noelle's words about "trust tending and the internet." such goodness here that i am soaking into me. (you, yes you, need this one.)

jen lee's self-care Rx list

kristen's truth about first "showing up" for herself.

rearranging the artwork in my home. (peeks can be seen here, here, here, and here)

creating soundtracks to my life: i am a bit late to the mumford and son's party (i know, i know), but their music is part of my current self-care soundtrack. a few projects on my list right now have me writing from the guts of me, in the best most healing way, but in the way that takes it out of you a bit. sigh no more is on repeat right now. and "the cave" has me knowing i am not alone while i want to almost scream these words as i jump up and down (but i am in a starbucks right now so i am just doing this in my mind as i tap my foot loudly.)

something i've been thinking about

we live an entire life outside of the bits and pieces we share with others.
we live a life outside of facebook updates and blog posts and emails dashed off.
we live a life outside of the simple answers to "what did you do today?" and "how are you?" and "what's new?"
we live a life outside the assumptions and guesses and unanswered voicemails.
we live a life outside of the stolen, ignored, missed moments.
we live a life outside of the roles we play.
we live a life outside of who others think we must be.

we live an entire life 
inside
the home within us. 

i live an entire life outside of the bits and pieces i share with others. 
i live a life outside of facebook updates and blog posts and emails dashed off. 
i live a life outside of the simple answers to "what did you do today?" and "how are you?" and "what's new?"
i live a life outside the assumptions and guesses and unanswered voicemails.
i live a life outside of the stolen, ignored, missed moments.
i live a life outside of the roles i play.
i live a life outside of who others think i must be.

i live an entire life 
inside
the home within me. 

and today, knowing that truth is enough.

*****

and you, what have you been thinking about lately? what pulls at you in the quiet moments when you wish someone would see you?

37 seconds of joy