Hi Dear,
I know it's been a million years since I last sent you a positivity boost. I'm sorry. It's just that I didn't feel so positive myself. Josh and I have been trying to have a baby and it's been more challenging than we thought. Yes, I'm 41, AND we got pregnant on our very first try last year – before it ended in miscarriage (read about that here). As a result, I've felt powerless and wanted to hide.
So, I haven't had the juju to write to you. I haven't had the power to send you uplifting messages. Maybe you get this way too. When you feel down, you want to hide. You don't want to engage with others, much less be their cheerleader.
But sometimes – actually, MOST of the time – lifting others up is EXACTLY how to get your power back. Being real, sharing your truth, connecting with others in a genuine, authentic, raw and vulnerable way allows you to be seen, heard, and loved for who you are.
This is what happened to me this weekend. Taylor Strecker of SiriusXM Stars Radio and I hosted 25 women in South Beach for Goddess Girls Retreat. Yes, we had a champagne reception, pool time, and fabulous meals at the Versace Mansion… but the TRUE MAGIC was weaving a web of deep sisterhood through sharing our stories. When one woman spoke of divorce, everyone understood the pain of love lost. When one woman shared the challenges of parenting, everyone felt the struggle of being human. When another shared her dreams, we all reconnected with our own.
Each woman came with a different story, and all came with unifying common purpose: To be the powerful woman – the Goddess – each was born to be. By shedding layers of guilt, shame, anger, and fear, TOGETHER, everyone reclaimed her POWER.
One woman left ready to start a new business, another has already changed her parenting style, and another let go of anger toward an ex, realizing that she is WORTHY of true love. And these are just a few examples. Every woman reclaimed her power to soar.
I want you to reclaim your power too. Here's how:
1. Consider this: Where are you giving your power away to situations out of your control? Who have you given it to that is no longer worthy of your mind and heart-space? How are you allowing time to be taken away from your dreams, purpose and goals?
All of these are power cracks that make you lose your sense of self over time, so you end up lost, scared, alone, and stuck. And that's exactly when you want to disappear. Don't. Instead, identify the crack and vow to fill it with self-love.
2. Identify what you want. What do you want in life? What do you want today? How do you want to feel? What do you want to experience? How do you want to show up in life? According to the dictionary, “Goddess” means a woman who is greatly loved and adored. Love and adore yourself by allowing your heart's desires.
3. Lean in to love. Do what these women did and find a safe friend, coach, sisterhood, or group with whom you allow yourself to be vulnerable. Let yourself be seen for your courage and strength. While you might think that your story shows weakness for loving a jerk of a man, others will see your strength in surviving on your own. Sharing feels scary… and that's where the powerful shift happens. Others will identify your strengths. They will see the Goddess (or Priest) in you, and you will feel adored and empowered. (Side note – if you want an experience like this, my next Goddess Girls retreat is Soul Spark in Sonoma in November – only 4 spots left!)
You can reclaim your power. In fact, you must do so to live the happy, fulfilled life you desire and deserve.
xoxo,
Carin
PS – Special thanks to everyone who helped with this retreat!
Thank you Hotel Victor South Beach for being so welcoming and accommodating! The Victor is a fabulous hotel in a location that can't be beat, right on Ocean Drive! Here we are relaxing at The Victor's beautiful pool on Sunday! Inside The Victor is The Sugar Factory, a fun, fabulous restaurant, bar, and candy shop that is amazing. They were wonderful to work with!
Thank you also to Stoli! They co-sponsored the reception by providing Stoli Raspberry Lemonade cocktails – so yummy!!!
If you're looking for a great dinner in South Beach, GO to Cibo Wine Bar. I love, love, love this restaurant. The food is delicious, the service impeccable and the wine so yummy. Here's a shot of us in the wine room!
And of course, all day Saturday we held our retreat at the Versace Mansion (a.k.a.,The Villa Casa Casuarina), a breathtakingly beautiful spot perfectly suited to these Goddesses! If you have not been, this is a must-go-to-stop in Miami!
Thanks also PretzelCrisps, who provided personalized gift bags and snacks for all the women; Michelle Rhodes, who lovingly crafted these goddess-themed necklaces specifically for this retreat and provided them to all the women; and, Victoria Scaglione, who provided all the women with Goddess Girl champagne flutes and sunglasses (you can see the pink sunglasses in a photo above).
We have been truly blessed to be supported by so many outstanding folks, and we sincerely appreciate it!