Football Sunday lovely people of the Universe! If football is playing on every TV in every room of your house, raise your hand now! And if you know like I know, you better not touch that tv or that remote on any Sunday from August to February of every single year, for the rest of your life! I love sports, live ones that is. Mostly the ones where I am wearing my team mom jersey and cheering obnoxiously for 8 and 9 year olds. NFL football isn't really my thing until playoffs.
So today was a pretty freaking amazing day. While the boys were at home watching football, eating baked beans and franks, (because I guess without me there to cook, it was the struggle lunch) I was at a one day Emerge Spiritual Retreat, hosted by the angelic Colleen from Angelwisdom. Can I sayyyyyy AMAZEBALLS. The location was Camp Ockanickon in the breathtaking South Jersey woods. The weather was a chilly fall day, nonetheless extremely beautiful. The colorful leaves all over the ground. We did letters to God, releasing those things we want God to take control of by burning them in a fire. Then we spent half of our day juggling bonfire side and lakeside meditation, while the other part of the day was spent making intention candles, doing archery and appreciating the rustling of the leaves beneath our boots during the nature walks. Being in nature with 50 plus like minded individuals, God, and all that is was completely blissful.
It's interesting how the universe aligns you with the people assigned to your path, yea pretty much effortlessly. During the 30 minutes of registration, I was already cozy with my selected seat toward the front of the room, near the fire place. I sat at this table partly because I wanted to be near the blazing fire, as it was still 50-ish degrees and chilly, but also I had been attracted to the fresh flowers in a mason jar center piece which was coined with the label "Live". As the registrants came in, they sat at various tables, in various places throughout the room. Thus far, no one had bothered to sit with me, and honestly I was ok with that, as I was waiting on my mom anyhow. One less awkward moment to have sitting next to a complete stranger.
I was sipping my warm tea when I made eye contact with a woman who then spoke with a soft but friendly voice, "Hey, do you mind if I sit here?" or with you. Not quite remembering which word play she used but you get the drift! Why certainly she could! I invited her to join me with my smile. After all, I was excited that someone wanted to be near me. At least at that point, I knew I didn't stink and that my breath was fresh enough not to ward off any complete strangers. lol
I could go on and on about how this woman's spirit was familiar. She was genuine and kind. Honestly, I have no idea how we ended up being so transparent, spending most of the day swapping stories, herself, my mom and I. We talked about things that normal people (not that we aren't normal or anything) wouldn't usually divulge in their first meeting. At one point, we even learned that some of her co-workers are friends of my moms and that her husband went to high school with my sister.
I enjoyed myself and I am so thankful to the universe for sending inspiration daily. At times, the content of our conversation was a bit heavy, as we shared a glimpse of the most difficult times of life we'd experienced. And Out of all of the things I could've said (at times I am sure I talked her ear full), walking away from today, I realize there was one thing that I left unsaid. First I'd apologize if ever detailing our exchange touched the heaviest parts of our hearts, yet I'd also say, "The context of our exchange has inspired me and offered healing in ways I can't explain. Thank you for being who you are."
We are all spirit having a human experience. Strangers and acquaintances, connected and disconnected, we are all one in the same. We each are traveling a journey, we each have a story, and collectively, our stories intertwine in some synchronism or odd way. When we are brave enough to share these stories, we consciously send love, awareness, and healing out into the world. Our courage to share our intimate pains of life open up doorways, sending a message of infinite hope and endless compassion.
If meeting a new a person was always as healing and inspiring as meeting who I met today, I would wish to meet a new soul every single day! And I almost feel confident enough to start off the conversation with, "Hi, my name is Shina. What's your story?"
Love & light,
Shina
PS, I will be adding a few photos once I receive them. :)