Finding Me In My Glow Up

Breathing in and being present

I recently went to Greece to attend a retreat, Glow Up in Greece.  I knew about this retreat for a long time.  I wanted to go.  I did not want to spend the money on it.  I wanted the experience.  I did not want to leave my family behind.  I wanted to take my very first international flight.  I did not want to put my clients aside. Sigh.  These are really big negotiations for me.  Do the thing I want and disappoint everyone else in the process.  This is how it felt to do this one simple thing for me. I would not be there as usual for all the people.  I had to be convinced to go . . . Yes, convinced.  This may have some of you shaking your heads.  And it may have some of you nodding in agreement.  So let me share with you some of what I have brought home from Greece with me.

First of all, let me say that the details and plans were put together quickly as the decision to go was within two weeks of needing to leave which of course is something I am good at!  I am good at rushing around and getting it done.  So easy, peasy on the logistics.  Then there are the logistics of what needs to happen before I go? Not as easy, peasy but simple to accomplish, front loading much of the work for October and planning the days to follow.

It is my day of travel, and I do all of the logistics and get myself to the airport where I need to be to catch this plane.  On the plane, this is really real! I am going to Greece!  My expectations are that I am going to move through the program and eat great food.  That is it.  Nothing else.  About me and Greece.  My other expectations are that my presence at home will be missed in all the ways that will not feel good . . . I have to just let this shit go.  I am on to my adventure in Athens!

Once in Athens I truly tried to let it all go.  Easier said than done but I practiced in the moments.  If something came up, I reminded myself that I am not able to control anything from here so let it go.  This is the practice of being present . . . Sometimes this is really hard!  I am not sure about you, but my mind wanders and I lose focus of what is right in front of me! Then I am off making a phone call, doing a load of laundry, walking the dogs, composing an email instead of finishing the task at hand! This is my reminder (and hopefully yours) to finish the task at hand!  Make a list of the other things.  Please and thank you!

Diving deep in the work of Glowing Up was also a great way to reaffirm that showing up for me is the way to move things forward and have enough to share with those I love and those I serve through my work.  This is the pause.  I talk about the pause when I am processing things.  The time to step back and be still and work out the core of the issue or results.  Doing work daily was an opportunity to see where I need more me and where others, perhaps, need less me.  From all of the angles!  And hopefully, naturally, this recognition is easier each day. 

By simply being in Athens and having the opportunity to walk around and explore the city was a journey in and of itself.  I learned that I am a bit more sensory than I would have thought!  The visual stimulation is simply powerful! And I also realized that I connect with my surroundings on a much deeper level than I ever knew. Greece awakened an awareness in me that was fully unexpected. The architecture, the textures, the ancient ruins standing proudly among modern buildings is a unique concept for me! I wasn't simply looking at history; I was experiencing it. I loved the style of the buildings with businesses on the ground and housing above.  The balconies and awnings in the squares are beautiful!  The doors in Plaka were among my most favorite bits of architecture!

Also, from so many places in the city, you can see the Acropolis.  It is highest point of the entire city and from the Acropolis you can see the dense circular city we call Athens!  I found this density to be awing as well.  There are uninhabitable buildings alongside buildings thriving with life and laughter.  There is beautiful architecture next to industrial structures covered in graffiti.  I also feel it is important to acknowledge that my bus ride from the airport to Syntagma Square did not leave me feeling very impressed with the City of Athens initially.  I saw industry, graffiti, packed in buildings, and rundown homes.  And behind those homes there was an amazing mountain range that was muted by fog on this particular morning.  I was very surprised by this sight.  Then I walked with my luggage, through the streets of Athens to get to our home in Greece and I was very impressed by the up close details!  The cobblestone streets and alleyways, the overall architectural theme of the buildings, the small businesses that were everywhere.  Athens is a city of commerce and she wears it beautifully!  She is not perfect.  There are crumbling structures and graffiti.  And there are proud Athenians selling their wears and smiling. And the most unexpected aspect is the ruins on display where they were discovered for all passers-by to enjoy as much as the Gelato across the square.

I left Athens with a new sense of how to be me and honor me at the same time!  I left Athens with lots of photographs.  I left Athens with a deeper sense of who Doreen is at her core.  I left Athens with a new outfit.  I left Athens with a better sense of how to express myself.  I left Athens with memories of family style eating and sharing experiences as a group.  I left Athens with my eternal gratitude for reminding me how to show up as me authentically while embracing my flaws with grace.

If any of this (or all of this) has resonated with you in any way and you want to get to know me and what I do, I welcome you to use this link and book a call with me.  I also can share with you how to meet Athens next year!