La Dolce Vita Retreats

In my life I’ve been blessed with friends,
Ones who follow me to all ends
as I chase my visions and my dreams,
they, often living them vicariously, it seems.

Mine are friends who listen and share,
the challenges and sacrifices
we meet or bear,
and the journeys and circumstances
of those whom we dearly love and care.

Together, we sing our song of life,
harmoniously, of the pleasures and the strife,
this path of knowledge we have traveled so far,
of our play, our toil, our laughter,
our frenzied chatter in the car.

We reflect on memories we hold profound,
dare to impart our future hopes and desires
of roads untraveled, answers yet unfound,
safely, in confidence of each other,
we dream of legacies to which we aspire.

I can count my cherished friends on one hand,
but not the impressions they have engraved on my heart
nor the many footprints we have left in the sand
as we play this game of life, sisters inpart,
a team in which we each hold an inimitable part.

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One of the things I love about planning women’s retreats is that the planning process helps me stay on track of my values.  

Have you ever noticed that one never seems to finish the daily ”list”?  So many things to accomplish, so little time?  I often have to stop myself in my tracks to appreciate that my time is the most valuable thing I have and I can chose where to “spend” it. 

As I made a mental list of to do’s this morning, I actually considered re-scheduling a lunch date with a friend I haven’t seen in over a year.  Can you imagine?  I started calculating the hour of travel each way and the time for lunch, and then I realized that having lunch with my friend, catching up on our lives, was not only more important than picking up the flowers, washing the car and dropping off the laundry, it was food for my soul.  Those other duties can wait.!  

Female friendship is a cherished priority or mine and the basis for La Dolce Vita Retreats.  Sharing our struggles and joys with another woman, who in this caseis also a business owner,  is important to each of our realities. “Checking in” with another human being helps us continue to grow as human beings, enriches our lives.

I work out of my home by choice.  I like being able to work in my pajamas or take my walks or practice yoga on my schedule.  I like being in a quiet and homey environment.  But it can be quite isolating if one is not careful.  Staying in touch with the outside world is critical.

Like everything else we do, we must “use” it or “lose” it.  We must nurture our friendships and not take them for granted.

So, the next time you think about calling a friend or visiting a friend, before putting it off for another time, think about what it is that you “must” do that is so much more important.  Oftentimes, upon reflection, it really isn’t.

So… into the shower I go to get ready for my lunch plans with my friend!  I’ll probably have to work late tonight but it will definitely be worth it!  I am grateful to be able to visit with my friend.  Most of all, I am grateful for my friends.

Blessings,

Janice