On reflection, it has been a marvelous chapter along my path of self-discovery and exploration of my life purpose.   Three years ago, when I launched La Dolce Vita Retreats, I turned my face to the sun to follow a road “less traveled” .  I must say it was quite a journey, the ride of a lifetime!  Oh!  The people I met, the friends I made, the places I visited and the lessons I learned…they will remain with me always.  Although not a blank canvas when I began, over the years I have layered it with vibrant colors, changed it’s perspectives, experimented and erased, painted over,  all the while enthralled with the process of creation.

And so too, on July 1, 2010, I again will turn my face to the sun and begin on another journey – to lands yet undiscovered, to experiences yet to be uncovered, to a new canvas on which to begin.  As John Wooden once said to me, “Janice, every day I begin my day with the thought that today I will create my masterpiece.”  I always keep his words in the forefront of my mind.

I have learned that it is the process, the journey, that brings me joy…the destination only a mark on the map.

Ciao bellas!  Grazie mille!

Janice Briggs,

janicegbriggs@gmail .com

feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

Stile di Dolce Vita – La Dolce Vita Retreats_ Journeys of enrichment for wom

Opportunity to win a La Dolce Vita Retreats Saturday Workshop valued at $275.00!

If you would like to participate in my survey, and be entered into the drawing to win the FREE workshop,

please click here  http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2vek0c1g8luy35p/start

All surveys are anonymous as I am seeking genuine responses.  But, if you wish to participate in the drawing you need to leave me a way to contact you should you win.   You can put your contact information in the answer box provided for question # 12. It can be a phone# or email address or any mode of notifying you if you win.  The drawing will take place upon my reaching 500 survey submissions.

I’m researching the female psyche in the USA with regards to how she sees herself  on the priority list with regard to economics, family, career, health and wellness.  This will probably be the first in a series of surveys based on the feedback I receive.  I’m just beginning to dig!

Thanks so much for your participation!

Janice Briggs

949-752-0652

janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats.com

The story of Kimberly and her son Marques is a perfect example of how our philanthropic “spotlight” organization for May 2010, The Andre Sobel River of Life , helps single moms who are both breadwinner and caregiver for their families.

Kimberly is a single mother of two children.  When six-year-old Marques was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an adrenal cancer that had metastasized throughout his body, he faced a 30% chance of survival. Mom was forced to quit her job and started to rely on her savings. She cut out all unessential expenses, but nevertheless a day came when Kimberly couldn’t pay the rent.  That’s when her social worker contacted the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation (ASRL.)

Meanwhile, chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant put her son’s condition in remission until a few weeks ago when he relapsed.

 Kimberly keeps up her spirits even as Marques is back in the hospital, now with significant hearing loss from the last intensive treatment. ASRL is paying the rent to give Kimberly more time at her son’s side.

The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation is proud to give Kimberly the gift of time with her son Marques.  To help Moms like Kimberly with a tax deductible donation, visit www.andreriveroflife.org

The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation’s unique  mission is to give the “gift of time” to single parents whose children are critically ill.  In 24 hours, this national non-profit organization makes emergency  payments for vital living expenses so that single parents don’t have to make the tough choice of being at work to earn a paycheck or being with their catastrophically ill or dying child. The  Foundation allows these struggling parents to be at their child’s bedside – to provide comfort, advocacy and love – during critical illness or in their last days. By paying for transportation to the hospital, groceries, rent, mortgages and utility bills, the Foundation gives the parent the “gift of time” and frees her to focus on her child’s healing.

Call or email Janice for questions or to pay by PayPal!  janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats.com

www.ladolcevitaretreats.com

949-752-0652

888 -553-VITA

But what is “dolce vita” beyond the translation of “sweet life”?  What does it mean to you? 

If you could be anywhere of your choosing, in any circumstances,  would it change who you are?

Have you contemplated your understanding of “dolce vita”?  Translated into your words, what is dolce vita to you? Are you living it or is it just an elusive yearning?

The reality is that we create our ”dolce vita”, and once we do, it  goes everywhere with us and we find it everywhere!  It is within.

Here are a few things dolce vita means to me that begin with “D”:

dolce vita – in awe of  life

discovery of Self  and what brings meaning to life

deliberate, mindful living – savouring the moment

delicious everything

diversity and acceptance

daily gratitude journaling

daily yoga

daily meditation

develop mastery of something with a humble heart

delight in our world

Divine presence

Deia, Mallorca

“divine coast” of Amalfi

Dare to imagine to live a large life as part of the universe, rather than of our own  microcosm.

dream

Blessings,

Janice

www.ladolcevitaretreats.com

janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats.com

It was spring and I was traveling with my father, who so generously invited me on his worldwide travels as he shared the same wanderlust with which I had been born.  It was 1974 and Rome was in a gilded era, as was Capri to where my affair progressed.  Ah, Capri!  I adore the island, its narrow inconspicuous maze-like roads hidden from the public scene.  The lemon-scented evening breeze, the vistas from the impossibly steep and carved cliffs, the sensual, intoxicating ambience will be forever impressed upon my memory.

My love affair continued and blossomed as I traveled from Amalfi to Venice over the years, the passion never waning, only growing in intensity as my comfort level and understanding evolved.  To this day it has not ebbed.

To great joy and fanfare, in the company of dear and friends and family, I was married in Venice and honeymooned in Positano with the man of my dreams, but my lifelong love affair has been…….with Italy.  My passion for this captivating country is unsurpassed!  I am smitten and have surrendered to its allure.

La dolce vita!

Janice Briggs

janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats.com

Today I get to write about the benefits of women’s retreats that start with the letter “C”.  I say ” I get to write” because I feel so blessed to be able to write from my heart about things I have experienced and had the good fortune of sharing with others.  It’s often a mad world and so I’ll start with calm as being the first benefit!

The “C”s:

calm – in my mind, body  and soul

Chianti – both region and wines

camaraderie – of women supporting each other

clarity of purpose – in life and legacy

conscious and subconscious – inner voice, inner peace

celebration of NOW

creativity and self-discovery

cultivate new ideas

cherish ourselves

cosmopolitan as well as rural

countryside stretching for miles, tiny ancient villages dotting the coast

connect to a higher power

choices rather than consequences

create the life you love

communicate your thoughts and needs, and listen to those of others

collect memories

compassion for all living things

compass for your soul

child-like spirit reborn

Just a few of the “C”s.   Please email me with more to add to this collection at janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats.com

Namaste,

Janice

Namaste,

Janice

janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats.com