A few nights ago, talking with one of my girls about her worries gave me a useful frame for my own. Instead of resisting what I’m afraid of, I let it wash over me, as fully and completely as the fear presents in any particular moment. The important part? Actively experiencing the sensation as a wave. I imagine myself standing on the sand and allowing the water to come, knowing that it will also go.
It’s really helping me.
What I love most is how each time I do this, I gentle the wave—instead of fighting, ignoring, or running away, which only makes the wave scarier. This works especially well with anticipatory “what-if” worries. Allowing them to consume me briefly, for the duration of the wave, is an opportunity to feel how I would even if the worry comes true. As the sensation passes, I have a little bit more proof that I can handle whatever comes, that I’ll be okay within my being no matter what.
Can you relate? What works for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
Retreat Registration is open!
Dena Brown Fife and I are hosting our second round of Wholeness: Your Place of Knowing. I cannot wait. Our group is already forming! Would you like to join us? Our retreat is open to anyone seeking a stronger connection to their larger consciousness and innate wisdom.
We’re gathering at Prairiewoods again, an ecospirituality center in Hiawatha, IA (just outside Cedar Rapids).
The weekend will feature community connection circles, workshops, 1:1 sessions with me (card reading) and Dena (Reiki and traditional Māori Healing Practitioner), plus delicious, nourishing meals prepared on site with dietary restrictions accommodated. During down time, explore the 70 acres of prairie and woods that surround the center.
Registration closes August 30. If you sign up before August 15, you’ll receive complimentary copies of my decks, too!
How much does it cost?
We raised the price slightly ($485) to accommodate Prairiewoods’ increased fees and to make the numbers work on our end— and it’s still a discounted rate. (Believe me, I love doing this so much, I’d do it for free if I had independent wealth and no family to support.)
To make it easier for people to join us, we’re offering self-selected scholarships to help with financial hardship (reduces price to $420) and accessibility for folks who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or have disabilities (reduces price to $365). You can also opt to split payment. Please don’t hesitate to use the coupon codes listed here! We’re sincere in wanting our weekend to be as inclusive as possible. If you need extra help, you can always contact me. I’ll do my best to make it work.
All the other details are on my website, from itineraries to lodging info and more.
It’s going to be an incredible weekend, but you don’t need to take my word for it. Here’s what some of our previous attendees had to say:
This is the first time I have ever participated in something like this and ALONE! I didn’t know anyone else attending and while that made me a bit nervous, I am so glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone.
From the incredible facility, to my amazing fellow retreaters, to the even more remarkable facilitators, I can’t recommend this experience enough!! A few highlights were learning from others, continuing to connect with myself, and even getting to take an evening walk to see Grandmother Oak. This special weekend is something I reflect upon often. Thank you, Kara and Dena, for all that you continue to do to teach and serve others!
—Annie
What an amazing, fulfilling and soul-moving experience! I was SO anxious about driving the four hours by myself to a place I have never been with people I have never met. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone was totally worth it!
Kara and Dena were wonderful retreat coordinators, making everyone feel welcomed and cared for. They, along with the rest of the attendees, were so kind, compassionate and friendly. The nature-filled location provided a calm, serene background to the weekend’s activities. I went with an open heart and was rewarded with a truly memorable, healing and life-changing experience.
—Maggie
I admit, I had a little bit of trepidation. I would not consider myself spiritual. I do not regularly meditate, use oracle decks, or honestly spend much time contemplating my life beyond the immediate concerns of each day in a world overwhelmed by work and kids. I was also daunted by the concept of "wholeness" and, frankly, wondered what kind of women would be drawn to explore it. You'll forgive me for asking myself, "Will they be insufferable?!"
Spoiler alert: they were not.
They were among the most lovely and insightful people I've met. We spent two beautiful days together, being honest and real, holding each other up, and seeing each other's "wholeness" already there, no matter what stage of life or struggle we were going through. Many of us still keep in touch, and I hope we always will.
You do not need to be a certain kind of person or ascribe to a certain belief system to benefit from this retreat. I think of it often and would go back in a heartbeat.
—Rachel
Click here for more testimonials.
I’m happy to answer any questions.
With love from steamy, sweaty Iowa,