EXTRAVAGANT LIKE FLOWERS
This is the fun part. When seeds sewn blossom into something eccentric and untamed, like wildflowers in an open field, like tiny bees drenched in pollen.
______________________________
Extravagant. One of my favorite words. To love like this even when there is no guarantee of reciprocation. To live like this no matter what may come.
I AM EXTRAVAGANT. GIVEN THAT MY ENTIRE JEEP IS FULL OF FLOWERS. GIVEN THAT I HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS WEEKEND FOR HOURS…AND HOURS.
In the morning I will crawl out of bed before sunrise and begin final preparations to welcome eight glorious women to celebrate three days blanketed in all things Sanctuary Living.
During our 72 hours together I intend to spoil them, extravagantly. And in return, they will work to form a vision for the next chapter of both my company and me.
WHY IS IT THAT I AM STILL CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY THE REVELATION THAT MY LIFE MAY NOT BE DEFINED BY MONTHS BUT RATHER YEARS?
In the midst of my most physically taxing week since being diagnosed, I received news that my cancer markers have declined yet again. I have a long future, it seems. Or at least long enough to not give in.
To hold this Retreat
—To ask those who have been a part of my journey [praying, loving, hoping, believing] from the beginning and trust those who have followed my work and my words to shape what the future holds—
is an outward expression of an inward journey,
a defiance of an inward [negative] belief.
If I am to move forward, I must root in the company of wildflowers, riotous in color, unafraid to flourish, cultivated to transform, to grow.
I CLIMB INTO MY JEEP LOADED WITH FRESH-PICKED STEMS AND INFUSED WITH THE FRAGRANCE OF LEMON BASIL. AND I TAKE IN THE EXTRAVAGANCE OF EVERY LITTLE DETAIL OF LIFE.
Have we deceived ourselves that we must be rich or perfect or ready to proceed?
What is required is to draw life near. Regard it as precious.. Then to pull it in and embrace.
Have we misunderstood that our dreams must be limited by our own belief? The outcomes of simply being willing are too glorious to measure, to expansive to ever really comprehend.
What do I expect from our time together? To be completely blown away.
This. This! Is the result of living extravagantly.
All of me. All the way in.
NOTES:
For many years I have dreamt of hosting Retreats with the intention of fully-immersing guests in the extravagant experience of Sanctuary Living.
This weekend, that desire will manifest in the form of a “Think Tank,” designed to envision and then map the future of this remarkable brand and experience.
We will choose our favorites from over 200 published Journal entries. And we'll decide which ones make it into the book. Then we'll turn our attention to the new website and determine how to expand the Sanctuary Living presence in our communities and the world.
I'm also thrilled to share that my original images and words have been published in a collection of framable quote cards, custom-framed lithographs, and giclées [soon available at the new website launching this month].
As a “Sneak Peek” I’m sharing a picture of fresh picked flowers just before they are arranged and then scattered through the venue and in guests’ rooms. I promise to follow up with dozens of images from our time together and to share the details of what is manifested from our time together.
If you are interested in attending a Sanctuary Living Retreat in the future, I would love to know.
Much Love, jkPHOTO CAPTION: These breathtaking flowers are grown by my dear friend, Kendra Boots at Winifred Farms. Kendra was an insurance agency owner until one day deciding to follow her passion and her dream. Itsn’t that just so Sanctuary Living? Learn more about Kendra at WINIFREDFLOWERFARM.COM
SHARE:
