and so it was…

Mindy and I first met last year when she participated in the goodness that was Squam by the Sea. She is such a sweet soul. A doggie-mama too, with the most charming southern accent and exquisite talent. Recently as I was visiting my beloved Elizabeth, I was holding a painting of Mindy’s in my hands and marveling at the colors and the life that she breathed into her work…and I just knew I had to find a way to bring her back to the sea.

And here she is!

With TWO offerings on Thursday and Friday…

Can’t wait to meet you all here…

Love, love, love…*m

(photo: by Jonny Meyer)

Why…?

Hi…

I’m glad you’re here…

If you are new, welcome! Please be sure to also read the post below this one entitled “hello world” as well as the “tell me more” page to get an idea of what Serendipity is all about.

In the meantime…

I recently had to answer the “why” question when one Kind Husband wrote and asked me to try to explain why it was important for his wife to be here in October. So sweet, right? Then I started thinking that maybe some of you are having the same sort of questions asked of you? Or are even asking them of yourself? Why come to Serendipity? Why spend the time, the money? Why is it worth the effort to overcome your shyness, your anxiety, your _______ (fill in the blank obstacle).

So, I told Kind Husband that it can be a little hard to explain unless there is something specific in his life that I could relate it to, something that feeds him as a human, as a man…because that’s what these gatherings do for us. They feed something primal and perhaps gender-specific.

I told Kind Husband that I think it has to do with our culture and technology… today we have to intentionally seek out the community and support that women have traditionally been able to find with one another, and by traditionally I mean hunter/gathering tribes, or quilting circles of a bygone era, or the cooperatives in India who create hand-woven cloth. Here in the western world in 2011, we are more often isolated from one another – we are the nuclear family, the internet age, we are working on computers and in cubicles, or even from our homes. All good things in many ways, but it also means we are more isolated, and women need that physical connection with each other from a biological perspective. We are by nature collaborative, emotional, communicators. All of that is best done in circle…and so “the village” gathers when it can.

I told Kind Husband that this need we have is something that is hard to put into words because it’s not about words, it’s about feelings.

I told Kind Husband that it’s about circling up with other accepting, warm, loving women who “get us” and don’t want anything from us other than for us to be who we are and who are able to show us our own beauty. There’s no competition, no BS…just good, true, soulful women.

I told Kind Husband that we are fed good food we don’t even need to think about making (and ice cream!). We fill our creative wells from teachers we admire, we laugh, we might dance, we meet new and old friends, we connect with nature. Many of the women who come are moms – BUSY moms with kids, jobs, and families. Most are endlessly giving of themselves and tend to be the caregivers in their circle. I told Kind Husband that when you are always caring for others – even if you love doing it – t takes a toll on you and your energy and this vacuum forms inside of you that gnaws away at your joy – and the pursuit of joy is our birthright.

And then I told Kind Husband that ultimately these gatherings give us ourselves back…a self that is far more nourished, far more joyful, far more alive.

I’m not sure I found all the reasons why…I know this is part of what they do for me, and I know I am much better equipped and excited to live the rest of my life knowing I have these times when the tribe gathers to look forward to…

And for you? Why is it important for you? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Love, Michelle

Hello world!

Whether we name divine presence synchronicity, serendipity, or graced moment matters little.
What matters is the reality that our hearts have been understood. Nothing is as real as a healthy
dose of magic which restores our spirits.

~ Nancy Long

One night by the sea last October, a troop of women sat moon-drenched and fire-warmed and asked “Can we do this again?”

The answer came softly at first, but became louder and more clear with time… “Yes! Yes, we can do it again!”

So yes, inspired by those women and (YES!) intended to be a long weekend of inquiry and play and discovery into what moves your soul, we welcome you to join us for

*serendipity* – a retreat nurturing the playful and the sacred.

We have developed a series of full and half-day classes, each with a focus on some playful, sacred, and (yes!) at times practical, aspect of self-expression be it writing, mixed-media, photography, yoga, altar creation or well, dress-up!

We’ll stay in houses on the beach, and watch as the sun and moon rise over the sea. We’ll let four women, each with a unique passion, serve as our guides – Pixie Campbell, McCabe Russell, Kate Inglis and Michelle Madden Smith (who will also be your hostess!).

So read on, listen to the stirring in your heart and say YES! with love…