Stepping Forward to L.I.V.E
Carmel Beach, California
You step forward thinking about it, then committing and signing up, and then going . . . you are a significant [Paisley Project] Event attendee and there is something for you and you are something for others . . . it could be your silence or your words; it could be your tears or your laughter; it could be your heart and soul and spirit; it could be your hands that help or hug or create or stay folded; it could be what you have never thought about; it could be what stirred in you before now awakened out of dormancy; it could be a springboard to who knows where; it could be, but you must let it be and the only way to let it be is step forward into a Paisley Project Event . . . then may you continue to look forward, with YOUR significance as a steady foundation for what is to come.
This heartfelt account was penned by Dianne Farris, a member of the Paisley Project who attended our recent Paisley Project gathering held in picturesque Carmel Valley, California, in January. The experience was nothing short of glorious.
Looking on from the outside, you might have witnessed a group of women savoring their mornings over coffee, clad in cozy pajamas, gathered around a warm fireplace. These same women might have been spotted exploring forested trails in the scenic Garland Ranch Park or collecting seashells along the shores of Carmel Beach. Perhaps, you would have seen them don plush bathrobes at a hydrotherapy spa, sitting in steam rooms or bravely immersing themselves in water as cold as nearby Monterey Bay.
It was all of this, and more. Guided art and writing activities, thoughtfully prepared meals shared around a candlelit table, individual massages and coaching opportunities. Homemade cinnamon rolls and ice cream. And through it all, was the connection happening between women who “get it.” Women who know what it’s like to endure the heart-breaking loss of a spouse, and to try to pick up the pieces and live their lives anyway.
We used to call these events “Retreats,” and in a way they are—a precious respite from the demands and routines of everyday life. However, after a decade of Paisley Project history, we’ve gleaned valuable insights. If you’ve been following us, you know that our mission is empowering widows to L.I.V.E.:
L: Move through the Loss.
I: Cultivate a grief-informed Identity.
V: Envision a fresh future.
E: Engage meaningfully with the world.
To achieve this, we’ve identified core Healing Modalities—research-backed activities that aid women in healing after loss and reclaiming their lives:
Social Connection in a Safe Space
Time Spent in Nature
Physical Activities and Therapies
Therapeutic Art
Journaling
Professional Coaching
All of our Paisley Project activities now incorporate many or all of these modalities, providing a nurturing environment for widows to find solace, strength, and renewal.
We are so gratified to see them working.
So we are rebranding our Paisley Project Retreats to reflect what they really are: L.I.V.E. Intensive Experiences. They are fun, filled with humor and music and food and activities. But they are also some of the most meaningful times we have ever experienced.
Our next L.I.V.E. Intensive Experience will be on a ranch in Wyoming in June 6-10, 2024.
Come see for yourself what it means to L.I.V.E.!