Hello Friends,

My son starts 7th grade today. There are fantastic evolutions in his attitude and perspective that I'm enjoying immensely. I am reminded of the clearly marked beginning and ending of stages through the school calendar (as well as some middle school memories of my own). As an adult, there aren't so many defined stages. A big birthday (uh, just had one of those, too, which may also be prompting these reflections), a new job, marriage, birth of a child, moving.

It is also possible to create a New Beginning just because I want one. That's my favorite kind. When I no longer want to interact or think a certain way, I just start fresh with a new pattern. My teacher, Jim, taught me that to start something new, I need to let go of what is old. It gives me the feeling of constantly being able to reinvent myself and choose new experiences and ways of being in the world.

Much of what is most amazing in my life now is due to allowing myself to begin again with a fresh start; first in my own mind. Most interestingly right now is allowing myself to approach a relationship with a different attitude and wow, what a little tweak in thinking can do to create a whole new experience. I feel ten times lighter not carrying around some of those old fears and am having such a wonderful time.

Some ideas for creating new beginnings today:

• say, "the old me would have ___ but the new me is ___ instead"
• talk to others about the new you or new project you are starting (and leave out the old, tired story and complaints of things that you don't want to experience anymore)
• imagine your new beginning is an adventure, not hard work
• take one step today to start that project or idea you've had for awhile now
• decide what you don't want anymore and focus on what you do want and are creating instead
• listen for the voice track of excuses that stop you and come up with a response to shut it down when it shows up (turn, 'it's too late now' into 'if an 80 year old can learn to play guitar, than surely I can start this now' or 'I'm not good at this' to 'I'm enjoying being a beginner at this'
• say, "I'm going to do the perfectly wrong thing right now and laugh at myself", freeing yourself from fear of mistakes to liberate you to start new things
• say, "This is what I want for now and I can always change it again later," helping you not feel overwhelmed by your choice
• learn something new about someone you know, expecting others to have new beginnings and change

Starting new and leaving the old behind is really a choice, a decision. I create my own stages in life and enjoy watching those around me go through changes, too.

My teacher, Jim, and I are co-facilitating a retreat to connect with inner wisdom and one focus of the retreat is clearing anything old that blocks us from experiencing the new. Sprinkled with boating, sitting around the fire pit, shared meals and other relaxing activities at Jim's cozy private lake cottage, this workshop can inspire you to refocus and tune in to your authentic inner wisdom which helps you create new beginnings every day and every moment. Feel free to join us. Information on the retreat is below.

To Your Joy & Newest Adventures,

Meredith

O P P O R T U N I T I E S    F O R    S U C C E S S

Pathway to Soul Wisdom Retreat

Intuitive and Healing Retreat for Mind & Spirit

SEPT 14 - 16
Graystone Cottage :: Lake Anna, VA
(1 hr 30 mins from DC, 1 hr from Richmond)

For the first time ever, Jim Bryant and Meredith Self are co-facilitating a small group weekend retreat for... in-depth mind/spirit healing & intuitive strengthening. In the serene and rejuvenating setting of Lake Anna, you will... discover your pathway to inner wisdom & clear the path to enjoy it! The experiential weekend offers healing, intuitive techniques, play, and plenty of... one-on-one time with the facilitators! "Jim opened my eyes to a whole new way to perceive the world around me, myself, and my talents. After working with Jim, my life took a whole new purpose and joyful direction. I'm forever in gratitude to his gentle and powerful wisdom that awakened my mind and soul." - Meredith	Relaxation Activities. Refresh your body and spirit as you enjoy boating, swimming in the lake, lounging at the fire pit/deck/porch/dock, or playing pool (all at NO additional cost to you). Meals. All meals, snacks and drinks are included in retreat cost (vegetarian and meat options). Lodging. Graystone Cottage accommodates up to 8 people (first come, first serve) in shared rooms and shared bathrooms. Private lodging also nearby.
Retreat Experiences for Your Mind & Spirit Clear & create the way for your next steps in life Learn the keys to ask intuitive questions & receive clear answers The dynamics of not knowing How to "fish" in the universal ocean to catch a "big one" Asking/(active) Allowing/Receiving (passive) Establish pathways of communication with: Your higher self The source of any dilemmas Your guides Receive personalized guidance and: Discover your unique best ways to connect intuitively with your inner wisdom Identify and resolve limiting beliefs and fears Release blocks & energetic clearing Inner Balancing (Chakra work) Energetic Clearing (Clear negative energy & protect from unwanted energy) Soul Retrieval (Getting back what is yours) Use multiple modalities to access your inner guidance system Hypnosis to access subconscious information & reform patterns Ideo-Motor Signals to access immediate physical feedback Guided Visualization, more effective and productive intuition
About Jim Bryant James C. Bryant, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He maintains a consulting and therapy practice in Falls Church, Virginia. Mr. Bryant is best known for his work with dissociative disorders and his original approach to treating a wide range of presenting problems. He has authored the book, “Coming Together: Healing Body, Mind and Spirit.” Jim is a social worker who continues to work toward discovering new methods to resolve the impact of childhood and adult trauma.

This retreat is limited to a small group, so reserve your space now.
Date:	Sept 14 - 16	ALL INCLUSIVE (WITH LODGING) RETREAT & MEALS (W/OUT LODGING) Or call 703.980.0889  More Information
Time:	Fri 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Sat: 9:30 am - 4 pm, 8-10 pm Sun: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Location:	Graystone Cottage Lake Anna, VA
Fee:	$410 (all inclusive retreat, meals, lodging) $325 (retreat, meals)

More information about the retreat activities...

Meredith Self is a spirited intuitive consultant, teacher, healer and author committed to joyful and practical intuitive living using all of our senses.

Meredith is an Advanced Certified Six Sensory™ Practitioner trained by Dr. Sonia Choquette, and a Reiki Master. She has more than 18 years of gifted-and-talented teaching, business management consulting, and private consulting experience.

She is the co-author of the joyful children's book, Bob-Winging It, and is creating a Parenting Oracle Deck-Spark Intuition to be published in 2007. Her passion is nurturing the inherent intuitive wisdom in children and their grownups.

Meredith empowers individuals to joyfully experience their highest potential using practical, healing and transformative tools to cultivate intuition. Meredith lives in Virginia, dances in the kitchen, loves chai lattes-movies with a twist-and logic puzzles, and is the thrilled student and mother of a creative, intuitive son.