article by Suzanne Mulroy

The brochure says “the purpose of this weekend is to provide you with the guidance and opportunity to create your Vision and help you identify what stops you from living the life you want.”

I didn’t think thirty-six hours was enough time to figure out what stops me, but I thought, “why not?” I had hit the sludge on my spiritual journey of self-exploration and I was desperate. I was at a “crossroads” when I had heard about the “Vision Weekend” from co-founder/facilitator, Christine Iannone. I had to decide which fork in the road I would take - a job I was qualified for, that paid very well but I didn’t want, or do I risk it all, surrender to the universe and live the life I’ve always dreamt about…

What appealed to me about the “Vision Weekend” is it is held in Lake Arrowhead, a beautiful California mountain resort. I always wanted to go to Lake Arrowhead and somehow it is easier to work thru your “stuff” when errands aren’t beckoning you to be done. So I drove to this rustic destination ready to unleash my “chain of fools”. My excitement and anxiety mounted as I drove up the mountain, I’m sure my fear of heights and the 6000ft climb with just a guard rail between me and the valley below had nothing to do with it. The views were incredible and I knew I was on my way to heaven. A perfect metaphor for what I was about to encounter.

I entered the warm and cozy cabin with an open mind, leaving my ego and judgments at the door. What I found were seven open minded, intelligent, creative and beautiful women. I felt honored to be amongst them and knew it was no accident I decided to attend this particular weekend.

Christine Iannone and Laurie Goldey, founders and facilitators of the “Vision Weekend,” are wonderful combinations of casual and organized. They had a mission, ensuring we would get what we came for and nothing was ever compromised or sacrificed. They prodded and pushed with the patience and understanding of someone who only wants the best for you. After brunch and a chat session of getting to know each other - we went into the living room and sat in front of a roaring fire, armed with pens and journal. We formed our circle and started by listening to “The Rose,” by Lee Ann Rimes. We breathed in the moment, filled with anticipation of what would be revealed. It was so powerful - the last line is the Vision Weekend in a nutshell “beneath the snow lies the bud that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes the rose”. I was to later recognize, our Circle was the “sun’s love”, our dreams are the “bud” and our Vision is the “rose”. The mood was set, we were ready!!!

I sat in awe and gratitude as we were led down a series of thought provoking questions and mediations. We wrote in our journals and shared our deepest fears, joys, insights and insecurities. I learned how to listen, really listen, with my heart and to share only when it is relevant to the process of the individual. And, I learned I’m not alone.

One of the factors that made the experience so powerful was that we ate and slept together. We spent thirty-six hours in a safe, secure, loving and patient Circle. Their pain was my pain. Their joy was my joy. There was not one “story” I didn’t relate to. Here, I learned to live and to love. Because in that Circle that’s what we did - no masks, no illusions, no judgment. Here there was total acceptance of each other and most importantly, our selves.

Webster Dictionary describes a Circle as “an area of action and influence”, and that is exactly what our Circle was. Women taking action, fueling the power of their imagination, opening up to what it is they can become if there were no boundaries. We couldn’t help but influence each other, our very presence, experiences and attitudes pervaded the Circle and made it safe and warm to reveal our Visions, not only to each other but also to ourselves. Each one of us now has seven women out there rooting for our success, and as life takes us on our own special journey, we always have the memory and power of the Circle and the Circle holds dear all that we shared.

As I embark back into the “real world” with clarity, a strong, surprising Vision and a personal mantra, amongst other things, I am reminded of a quote from the turn of the 20th Century by William James, ” The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their life by altering their attitude of mind”. *

Women create and sustain life, and when we use our creative forces as I witnessed during the Vision Weekend, we strengthen the bonds and the gifts that truly make us divine creatures. Every time we lend a helping hand, a sympathetic ear, give supportive advice, we strengthen our Circle, the Circle of Life.

I am still inspired today and am filled with respect and admiration for the courage I witnessed in our Circle. It truly is amazing - “Amazing Grace,” an appropriate closing song to solidify our Circle, our Vision, our friendship, our trust and our faith. And I say, Journey on, my friends.

* Author took poetic license, original quote says “his”.

– Suzanne Mulroy resides in Los Angeles, California and is a Speaker and Coach, helping people take the leap to achieve the next level of their lives For more information on the Vision Weekend visit www.visionweekend.com.

Reprinted from Spheres, Women’s Circles Publication, Vol. 1, No. 6