I know how hard it may seem to take time away, to take time for yourself.
As a woman, and especially as woman in business, you can get so busy that you forget to take time for yourself. And even if you remember it … let’s face it, how easy is it for you to making loving yourself up a priority when there’s just so much to do?
The daily activities of your business — serving (and finding!) clients, paying bills, staying healthy — can make it difficult for you remember, and stay connected to the sacred passion and purpose that got you here in the first place.
A retreat sounds like a nice idea, but somehow, the to-do list always gets in the way, doesn’t it? As I prepare the Deep Dive retreat offer I want to share some of the thoughts that are in my heart with you. [Edited to add the link to the Deep Dive page; which I now happily invite you to read!]
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
— Napoleon Hill
There’s always something to do, right? You, sister, have the magic power to put yourself at the top of your priority list. When I made myself #1 on my list, everything changed. First I learned how to choose to take care of myself first financially (and move my creditors down the list). Then I learned how to take care of myself and my belongings. And then finally I began to experience what it’s like to take care of my spirit — and to make my being just as even more important than my doing.
“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.”
― Albert Camus
It takes desire and intention to get to what’s really up and to clear the way for the next right action, doesn’t it? I start my grounding and meditation work for clients and groups by saying: “Turn away from your problems, and from the world, and turn toward the Divine, to your source. Let your energy sink down from your busy mind to your heart, and feel your heart open in invitation.” I do the same internal process in my own sacred workings. I want to share what I’ve been taught with you that helps open the channels to ease, peace, and clarity. Hint: First you look at the stuck places, then you release what’s got you stuck. Then you can welcome the vision and commit to the actions.
“You can’t control the past, but you can control where you go next.”
—Kirsten Hubbard
We are called to make so many decisions in our business and in our lives — sometimes it feels endless. When you get quiet, and open yourself in quiet retreat, you can get the clarity you need so you know in which direction you’ll take your next step. And be held in the planning and commitment as you go.
“You don’t choose the day you enter the world and you don’t choose the day you leave. It’s what you do in between that makes all the difference.”
– Anita Septimus
You deserve all the support you need as you manifest your passion and purpose and serve those beautiful clients who need what you have to give. You may have a coach, a mastermind, an accountability support team. And then there’s the support that comes from turning inward and clearing the way to hear that still small voice that speaks through your heart.
I’m creating this retreat for you because I know how hard it is to make space for yourself without support.
The Deep Dive Retreat is all about providing the support you need to rest, rejuvenate, go deep, remember, and restore. A day in guided retreat also opens you to clarity where you may have felt stuck in confusion. Or just plain stuck. And then to release what no longer serves you so you can welcome the vision of what’s next and commit to it.
I invite you to think about what a retreat can do for you.
What would it be like to turn away from the world for a night and a day, and in sacred space, dive deep, review, release, restore, revise, and recommit? What would it take to give yourself this gift? Check out the Deep Dive and see if now is the time for you to give yourself this powerful gift.
Share your experiences, your thoughts. Let’s talk in the comments.
So true Sue, there is always something to do. I have personally benefited by saying no and shutting off technology. As an empathic helper and artist, it is essential for me to have quiet time to reflect and process. Thanks for your blog, I have tweeted! xx
Lisa, Thanks. Saying no is a big one, isn’t it? Especially when we want to be of service. Thank you for adding that layer of understanding. And for sharing the post.
Blessings,
Sue
This is so true! Thank you for sharing this. Over the past year I have been incorporating personal retreats in my life. I have found them so rewarding and energizing.
Heya Angela, welcome here.
Thanks for the comment love and the encouraging words. Blessed be.
xoxox
Sue
This is so very important and very often not prioritized. Well written Sue.
Linda, I know — it’s hard to make ourselves a priority! Thanks for mirroring that back.
Love and magic,
Sue
Sue! I really enjoyed your post!
It’s so easy to forget our need for quiet time in this fast paced world especially when we’re in business. But we need to remind ourselves that if we don’t take time to replenish, our energy will eventually run dry. Lovely post!
Hi Jasmine, and welcome.
I was diving deeper and even deeper into the preparation for launching my Deep Dive retreat yesterday and realized that what’s most important for me is to acknowledge the really tough stuff — accept it, love it, and release it — so that we can even begin to stand sovereign in the grace.
More soon from me on this!
Love and light,
Sue
Ahh…Thanks for this much needed nudge, Sue.
I’m a little busy and a little too attached to my to-do lists these days…and even to my excitement around projects.
Not that to-do lists and excitement around projects are “bad”–just need to be balanced with more inward checking in…looking deeper…stilling my thinking mind, asking myself: What are you feeling right now?… remembering Source and the wider flow of things in which we just rise and fall and rise and fall again.
Dana, you are welcome! 😉
I’m still bubbling with awareness about this need to retreat — the grit and the grace and the balance.
I love this part.
xoxox
Sue
Wonderful post, Sue. I really appreciated this: “You deserve all the support you need as you manifest your passion and purpose and serve those beautiful clients who need what you have to give. ”
It’s so true that we all deserve support as we put our work out into the world, and it’s also the easiest thing to forget our own needs as we focus on all the details of running a business.
Your post is a wonderful reminder of the need to pause for a moment and serve ourselves in order to effectively serve the clients we care so much about.
Dave, thanks. I like this idea, of serving ourselves in order to effectively serve our clients. Exactly, yo.
xoxox
Sue
Sue, the Deep Dive retreat sounds delicious. I’m going to take a small dive break right now, off the computer and into sanctuary. Thanks for the reminder.
Juliet, maybe the name changes to Delicious Deep Dive. Rolls right off the tongue!
Thanks for the love.
Blessings,
Sue
There will always be something else to do, somewhere to go or even to be! I know I now take time each day to do stuff i would call retreat type activity and i now can see time to take a longer break as i know great clarity comes from this xxoo
Retreat-type activity, nice. Yup, me too. Thanks for being such a loving example of self-care, Suzie.
Gratefully,
Sue
Great reminder Sue! I’m a great advocate of Me-Time and getting retreat type activity into the everyday. It’s so important for us to find the time or, as you say, there will always be something else to do. We have to make it, claim it, gift ourselves it and make it sacred. Much love
Hi Heather, and welcome.
I just got back from my Bay Trail walk (photo here: http://bit.ly/marinabaywalk)— which today was a walk/sing/dance as I was listening to some of my favorite music. About to head upstairs and do some yin yoga.
Making the time, claiming it, giving to myself, making it sacred (even/especially with Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, and Jackie Wilson in the background!).
Sue, your walk sounds wonderful and with a fantastic soundtrack to go with it, even better! I had the pleasure of seeing Van Morrison live last year at Cambridge Folk Festival, thanks to my daughter playing one of the smaller stages and Elvis Costello about 30 years ago when I was a student. Both amazing experiences x
Hi, I totally agree, we never run out of things to do, we really need to have time to retreat. Thanks for sharing a great post.
Hi Sherill,
I appreciate your kind words.
Blessed be.
Sue
Wonderful wise words Sue – you are a woman after my own heart! It is so difficult for those of us who serve others to give ourselves permission to serve ourselves first. I’ve learned this the hard way and now prioritise self-care first – you’re right, it’s life-changing. If your Delicious Deep Dive retreat helps others change their lives too, that is amazing work to offer – good luck 🙂
Hi Helen, thanks for the loving comment. It’s so important to serve ourselves, for more than one reason — one important one is that we then model for our clients everything for which we stand.
Love and light,
Sue