- Arlette sharing during Creativity Night; Santa Barbara, Sept 2011
(Scroll down for Jacquelyn’s disclaimer.)
Dear Jacquelyn,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you for doing these Gatherings. I know the tremendous work & energy that it entails. It would have created tremendous anxiety in me to even think of taking on such a project. However, at any future Gatherings that I attend, I will always be happily available to lend a helping hand with whatever you need, but not with computers & electronics.[Smile !].
I really like the format of the Gathering; you intuitively know how to make it work for everyone. I think we get more out of these Gatherings than can be fully explained.
• Could it be the positive collective energy from everyone present?
• The comments, ideas & experiences that are shared, that touches on something in us?
• Something we identify with? Something that resonates within us? A sort of “knowing”?
Somehow, we do learn or get “something” from the comments & interactions with each other; maybe we see ourselves reflected in someway in each of us.
I saw a little of myself in some of the introverts — how timid I was years ago, and how I have overcome some of that, & I saw how empowered others were: some out spoken & some quietly speaking & living their truth, and many of those things were a revelation in my life.
I feel that my knowledge & wisdom has increased in many ways although I cannot put it all into words. I feel different inside. I feel that I have gained an insight about the trait & about myself that probably would not have occurred, or it would have taken much longer to occur if I had not attended the two Gatherings I have.
I have a lot less anxiety. I feel more sure about myself. I can finally say to myself now that “nothing is wrong with me.” To say those words and to actually come to believe them has been very empowering for me, and that happened for me at this 23rd Gathering in Santa Barbara.
I want to continue to learn & grow more confident in myself. I have much more work to do: reading, learning and interacting, but from now on I will continue to appreciate every step of my journey.
Thanks to Elaine Aron & to you Jacquelyn, I will continue to thrive.
Arlette, Jericho, New York
Past HSP Gathering participant:
Colorado 2009 and Santa Barbara 2011
DISCLAIMER: Are all the HSP Gathering Retreats totally wonderful? Well…the answer is no, not necessarily, although they are all wonderful ~albeit challenging ~ to me. They are all uniquely different and this uniquenss depends upon the individuality of the participants in attendance. I have found that, generally speaking, what one takes home from a HSP Gathering is reflected by the energy they bring to it.
There have been a few gatherings in which, just like in the ‘real’ world, conflict has been present. Personally, I have learned to see conflict as a normal part of growth and development. This is why another motto has become a regular part of the HSP Gatherings: “Trust the process, even when feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable, always asking “What am I learning from this?”
I love what my co-host Ane Axford shared after the 21st HSP Gathering Retreat in Andover, MA in May of 2011.
Jacquelyn, Ane and Jackie
“What an unexpected experience of trusting the process and growing in ways that I never could have guessed. Thanks to all who participated in the Andover, MA gathering this past weekend for being so present with the unknown to bring forward questions that we don’t yet have answers to…so that we may answer them for ourselves and for all HSPs yet unempowered. What a truly intense experience of connection and love, for self first and therefore all. And, a special thanks to these co-hosts for holding that vulnerable space and doing their best to herd the cats. THANK YOU.”
Yes, sometimes facilitating a HSP Gathering Retreat is much like “herding cats.” I also know the structure of these beautiful gatherings always holds the space for you (if open to it) to be your authentic self, ask for what you need, and to trust the process. When all is said and done, there is so much to be experienced and learned from just being “in process” with 20 or more HSPs over the course of four days. And as we know, sometimes it takes weeks to actually process and integrate each teachable moment that occurred. I hope you will have the opportunity to come and see for yourself.