Healing happens within
Healing happens within
Oof, that hit me.
I was on a consult call with a potential client for retreat planning, and she was sharing her hopes and dreams for her first ever retreat and she said "I want to help people heal, but I believe ultimately healing happens within you. I would like to support that process by creating an environment and an itinerary that provide people the resources and support to do that work."
Hours before this conversation, I was working with another client who had an unpleasant experience at a past retreat that she hosted with a guest that wrote a negative review that said something along the lines of "I expected an eat, pray, love type of healing experience and a total transformation."
Talk about divine timing right? There are no accidents.
I sat with these two conversations for awhile and chewed on this information.
I have been in similar situations where guests show up expecting you to heal them in 7 days, and that's...a lot.
And every single retreat host that I've worked with, including myself wants to in some form or another, help heal the world.
So how the hell do you merge these two very separate (literally and figuratively) things?
I'll share what I believe to be true, but I would challenge you, dear friend, to form your own beliefs...from within ;) because who YOU believe you are is ultimately who shows up in the world.
I believe healing does come from within.
I also believe that hiring outside help, investing time and energy into resources and spending time with a community of individuals that are doing similar work are all worthwhile endeavors. And, they might even help you heal more quickly.
But healing isn't linear.
And it isn't quick.
I remember the first day of my 200 hour yoga teacher training, one of my teachers said "you cannot teach them everything that you've learned in the last decade or even year, in a 60 minute class." SO true and it was a real gut punch to my ego at the time.
I believe you get what you put in, and I believe you are responsible for your own experiences.
The more of your energy that you invest into literally whatever you want, the more likely you are to see the results that you're hoping for.
And, the more responsibility you take for you, yourself, the more empowered you will live. External factors are happening all around us, constantly, but your reaction is solely your responsibility.
So, as I embark on my 40th birthday adventure to Peru, I'm hopeful for some solitude. Some rest. Some beautiful landscapes. Some belly laughs with friends. Some spiritual shit. Some new perspectives. Some surprises. Some healing from within and mostly to be present and aware that my experience is solely my responsibility.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am retreat host, travel designer, and a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Retreat Host | Travel Designer