This weekend, at the invitiation of an NGO in St.Maarten called Safe Haven Foundation, I had an amazing experience with a power-full and beauty-full group of women. What was one of the things that touched me was the diversity in the room…We each have different stories…different perceptions of Self…we are in different kinds of love relationships…have different beliefs about God…In the room merged multi-coloured experiences, which collectively wove together to create a beautiful tapestry of Womanhood.
The beauty, pain, strength, sadness, triumph and determination that were tattooed across our stories left me literally faint with exhaustion afterwards. It took every drop of energy, and the appearance of a good friend of mine to rouse me from my bed the next day. I have never felt so beautifully exhausted, and I give eternal thanks that I was able to play a part in creating and participating in such a powerful space of healing.
I truly felt like that experience was one in which I was simply a vessel. I came to bring some level of healing and understanding for them, and they to do the same for me. We shared beautiful moments, proving that sisterhood crosses boundaries of nation and nationhood. If we are able to open ourselves honestly, without fear of rejection, and to speak our stories and experiences with courage, there really is nothing that can undermine us.
It also highlighted for me the true role of a facilitator. In a way, we act as conduits…channelling the passage for Spirit to flow between different expressions of itSelf. In its purest, and most liberating form, this flow moves along an intricate cobweb, diminishing the artificial barrier of ‘teacher’ and ‘student’. As much as I may have given the women who participated in Saturday’s workshop, they passed on to me. I felt stronger, and younger and lighter through having met them. They massaged somewhere deep within me, and permitted me the space to cry and, in turn, to rub their back as they cried.
The determination to look within without fear or prejudice lies in the womb of each of us women. There may be layers of pain, confusion, self-doubt and resentment that cloak our true emotions…but at the core of it all remains our Woman-Self…A powerful, brave, loving, nurturing and sensuous warrior, who will gladly hold our hands and guide us deeper into the beautifully complex-simple maze which is the creation of Self.
Hi Danielle,
I want to thank you for bringing your spirit to St.maarten sharing with us.
I felt the sisterhood in the room that day and felt the safety of the circle women being together sharing without being judgemental
I really believe that it was your spirit that stirred all the emotions inside us and brought them to the surface were the could experience some kind of healing
Thank you, you are truly an amazing sister!
Love Loyola
This looks and sounds like it was an amazing and life-altering experience for all involved. You unique ability to encourage people to open up, not only to others, but to themselves and realize their potential, as well as the growth they have already achieved as individuals first and communities after, is a God-given talent.
I am very thank-full and great-full to be here alongside you. It is amazing to watch you grow.
<3
Congratulations. You make me proud.