Conscious Creating Retreat
Conscious Creating New Year’s Day Retreat
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Do you want a flourishing life deeply rooted in your spiritual connection?
Life can be stressful. You may be so consumed with everyday activities that you don’t stop to reflect on what will generate a truly flourishing life.
That’s what happened to me for the first half of my life. I was busy with work, relationships, sports, and household chores. I thought I was in touch with my Authentic Self, but when things didn’t go the way I wanted, I felt anxious. Perhaps I made a mistake at work, and I felt ashamed. Or maybe my mom or my boyfriend didn’t give me the quality connection I craved. The part of me that didn’t feel whole took center stage, and I didn’t know how to find my way to the core of my being. I didn’t really know who I was.
Trying to feel fulfilled was like riding on a roller coaster … succeeding and failing … rising up and falling down … anxiety mixed with brief periods of ecstasy.
This uncomfortable roller coaster ride motivated me to study how to be the conscious creative force of my life. Normal wasn’t good enough for me. I wanted to self-actualize (Abraham Maslow) … to be my best self.
There are many things I’ve learned about conscious creating, and I want to share them with you.
One of the most important things is that we all have several parts in our inner family. Competing parts can sabotage your success. They have different values, goals and attitudes. If you don’t figure out how to resolve your inner conflicts, you’ll be far less productive.
Here are some examples.
Your inner high achiever declares that she wants to make $150,000 (or whatever your next benchmark is.) If you charge ahead with that goal, you’ll be stressed. You won’t get 8 hours of sleep. You won’t take 30 minutes to meditate daily or to exercise five days a week. You’ll probably work 6 days a week.
Your people-pleasing part begs you to make time for your loved ones.
Your inner critic gets frustrated with people’s incompetence that delays her success.
Your inner adult wants to increase your knowledge base to propel your career forward. You might want to enroll in a degree program or take continuing education courses.
Your inner free child wants to relax and have fun. She wants to visit the Grand Canyon and see the Northern lights. She wants a healthy romance where she can cuddle up at night and feel safe, secure, and sexy.
Your inner nurturing parent vows to get at least one massage a week, visit the chiropractor for regular health maintenance, do art work, and visit friends.
Your inner accountant tells you that you don’t have money for all that healthcare and two vacations this year. You’re going to have to create a budget and save money.
Your inner free child doesn’t want to adhere to the discipline of a budget.
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You might feel overwhelmed and ask yourself:
How can I find the time to do it all?
How can I create balance?
I ask you these empowering questions:
What is the Holy Spirit urging you to do?
What will help you feel whole no matter if you fail or succeed?
What would you try if you couldn’t fail?
What are you truly passionate about?
What do you want to say “yes” in the new year, and what do you need to say “no” to … at least for now?
I want you to be successful AND I also want you to feel unconditional positive regard for yourself every step of the way.
Conscious creators are always aspiring to new heights. You’ll never fully “arrive” except if you are fortunate enough to experience moments of enlightenment. That’s when you feel WHOLE … no matter what is happening around you. Hopefully, you get to savor many moments of enlightenment in your lifetime. It’s my greatest joy to design environments where this happens. That’s GOLD.
Knowing your Authentic Self … your spirit-led-self … who is intimately connected with the Holy Spirit is the root of true fulfillment … whether you are succeeding or failing.
What happens in the Conscious Creating Retreat?
I love guiding people to dream big and craft actionable steps.
- We’ll ride the wave of group consciousness so it’s easier for everyone to achieve their goals.
- I’ll help you tune into God and listen to the highest callings for your life.
- We’ll take the time to ask important questions so that you can create a life full of rich texture. We’ll meditate and contemplate. There’s no rush.
- We’ll acknowledge what is working well in your life and celebrate that.
- We’ll take a deeper look and ask, “If you were living the most fulfilling life … being true to your Authentic Self … what would that look like?”
- How do you limit yourself?
- What support do you need? From whom?
This is where I come in:
I will help you identify your limiting thoughts. Those pesky thoughts can sneak up on you without you even knowing it. That’s why it helps to have an astute guide walking by your side.
Here’s an example of how people unknowingly sabotage themselves.
You are taught to solve problems from a young age. You want to get rid of what you don’t want … what hurts you … what annoys you … or limits you.
In the book, The Path of Least Resistance, Robert Fritz explains that problem-solving is a REACTIVE model. That’s different from creating what you want to bring into being.
One example of problem-solving is trying to get rid of your critical nature. You think you’ll be OK if you can just get rid of it. It always pops back up.
The problem with this approach is that when you don’t feel successful, you get anxious or depressed. You’ve failed again. You try even harder, or your motivation plummets. You don’t have enough energy to propel yourself in the direction of effective action. You may give up entirely or at least for a while. You haven’t figured out the definition of effective action.
Another example of problem-solving is the way people go on a diet. When you eat a piece cake or eat unhealthy fast food, you say, “Screw it. I failed so I’ll eat whatever I want for the rest of the day.” Your pleasure-seeking inner child gets to run free while the inner critic beats you up, and another inner child feels guilty and ashamed. This results in yo-yo weight loss. Most people who lose weight put it back on, plus a few extra pounds within a year or two.
Promises of the Conscious Creating Retreat
If you want long-term results, not short-term fixes, you must do things differently.
- You’ll identify your north star, your guiding light, the values that are strong enough to propel you in the direction of creating your desired goals … even when the going gets tough.
- You’ll craft SMART goals consistent with your values.
- You’ll pinpoint the behaviors and beliefs that thwart your success so you can eliminate life-long patterns.
- You’ll proceed in the direction of the path of least resistance.
- You’ll adopt a PROACTIVE model instead of being REACTIVE to life circumstances or your inner family members.
- You’ll experience curiosity to think outside the box, find solutions, and take risks to create your fondest dreams while attuned to your Authentic Self and your spiritual connection.
- You will unlock the door to your metaphorical jail cell and walk out into the daylight of freedom.
That’s what I want for you – the freedom to be You – fully living your Authentic Life in alignment with your Spirit-led-self and God.
We’ve got some excavating to do.
Come and clean out the closets in your mind.
Make room for the new.
Create a vacuum.
Invite in the freshly designed life that God has waiting for you.
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Schedule: One day, January 1.
10:00am – 12 noon Eastern
12:00-1:00pm Break
1:00 – 3pm
Where: Zoom
Tuition: $229. Registration deadline is December 19.
To apply: Please return the questionnaire on the contact page. Mention your interest in the Conscious Creating Retreat. I’ll respond to you within 48 hours Monday-Thursday.
Facilitator: Benita A. Esposito, MA, LPC, LCMHC
Suggested reading: To get the most out of this retreat, read The Path of Least Resistance by Robert Fritz. It’s OK to buy the inexpensive version.
“… you will find not only the closure to move on, but the bravery and strength to dive deep into new beginnings where you are no longer guided by the past but guided by His Spirit, as He breathes new life into you with every new step you take.” ~ Morgan Harper Nichols
