In Need of an Attitude Adjustment Perhaps?

Well I am on my second night of my "Sista-Friend" Retreat at the Massanutten Resort in Harrisonburg, VA and already I feel so empowered and renewed; this is totally not what I expected with this trip but I believe that certain people and events happen when they do for a reason.

I had been preparing for this road trip with my mom, cousin, and their co-workers and family members/friends for weeks now, not really sure what to expect. The fact that my mom and cousin were traveling 11 hours on the road with these ladies told me that this would be a good group of women to be around, but the thought of the long drive/ride to an unknown place and spending a whole week here was making me a little uneasy. Why, I do not know. I tend to always get this feeling, mixed with excitement, right before I am about to experience something different and unknown, but also the past couple of weeks have had me up and down.

My relationship issues and state of singlehood have had me in a mood lately-well, maybe not my status but the potentials or lack there of. Also with the frustrations of the job search and lack of call backs, I was dreading the whole getting to know new people process, explaining my jobless state and getting that sympathetic look from strangers feeling sorry for me and pitying me, changing my positive outlook to one of negativity. Quite honestly, I did not really realize the funk I was in until someone that I do business with pointed it out to me days before my trip; pretty much read me like a book without me opening my pages!

Anyway, sharing her experiences with me so openly and honestly and giving me positive feedback and encouragement lifted me up at a time I guess I needed it most because I began to feel much better and excited about the possibility of things to come, both professionally and personally. It is not that I did not already know what it was that she told me, but sometimes we just need reminding. Her timing was perfect. Then on the road trip here to Virginia, before we made it to the resort I found that I was placed in the presence of some beautiful-spirited encouraging women. Our living complex arrangements were set up where I would be in the upper chalet with three women in my age group (although I am still the youngest), while my mom and cousin were donwstairs with their co-workers.

The first night of sitting around taking turns getting to know one another, I found out that I was the only single, childless, jobless woman in the room! The way it sounds from reading this may sound like I'm about to go there to that negative place, but I am not. These women spoke and encouraged me in ways that made me feel ashamed of even dreading this meeting in the first place. When I revealed that I was in school going for my doctorate degree, which is something I did not immediately reveal, that seemed to be the thing that stuck out to them about me more than anything. While I was sitting up here thinking here I am at 34 still in school trying to get somewhere in life, they were sitting there impressed and in awe of what I accomplished and that I was doing such a thing! They began giving me all kinds of encouragement. They shared some of their experiences: from many years of marriage with kids in college and having just gotten back into school to get a degree, to many years in a common law union and being satisfied with no marriage, to a long-distance marriage where although the communication/contact is not the most desired, they have been making it work. Very different paths we have taken, but so much in common just the same.

They told of their trips to Paris and other places where I long to go myself; we talked about fashion likes and dislikes, and we spoke on relationships and everything else under the sun-just in two days! One of the common things in all of us that I discovered from listening and observing is the drive for more in our lives, whether it be higher education, goals and dreams for their children, or spiritual growth. Like I said earlier, I feel that certain people and events come in your life when they do for a reason; taking this trip months ago when I did have a job and more money may not have had the same impact and sense of enlightenment and growth that I feel I have now, so no more regrets about it. Also, I will not question God's timing in the blessings we receive anymore. To top this all off, I have received an email since arriving here to interview for a job once I return back to MI. How ironic is that, considering I have been sitting at home for months now having not interviewed with anyone but as soon as I leave MI I receive an interview request? Maybe I needed an attitude adjustment before meeting face-to-face with this potential employer.

Anyway, it is late and the activities begin in a few hours; actually, my first activity is an arts and cratfs fair with a wine and beer tasting at 2:00 pm, so I still have time to get plenty of rest. I will be back with a new posting once I return to MI this weekend, and maybe a couple of photos!
Have an uplifting week, and I want to say "thank you" for encouraging me and lifting me up and enlightening me, even when you do not realize it-hope I am doing the same for you.