Last week I had the pleasure of attending a sober retreat with my coach/friend/boss in Washington State.

There were 7 of us and oh what a week we had!!

We…

-Hiked 4 miles up and 4 miles down Mt Si in typical Washington weather…rainy, misty, cold and dark.
-Had an amazing spa treatment and walked to a waterfall afterwards.
-Did restorative yoga followed by a nice relaxing sound bath.
-Swam in Lake Desire.
-Skinny dipped in Lake Desire! (some of us…lol)
-Went on an awesome food/history tour in Pike Place Market (where this picture was taken, lol).
-Journaled, ate great food, forest bathed, kayaked, got coached, talked, laughed and cried.

All of the above was amazing, but the most amazing thing was the women.

We were women from all walks of life that most likely would not have come together without this retreat (and our willingness and desire to attend).

We were all from different economical backgrounds.
We had different political views.
We had different religious beliefs.
Different familial styles.
Different ways we live our lives.
(I couldn’t help but think of The Breakfast Club movies as I was writing this.)

We had all of these differences (and probably more that I’m not aware of) and lo and behold we all got along!
We all bonded.

We listened to what each other had to say, and felt safe in expressing our views.
We knew we were in a judgement free zone.
We knew we could speak our hearts.
We knew we could learn from each other.

We didn’t always agree with each other and that was ok!
We accepted that we could have differences of opinion and still have these conversations.
We accepted each other exactly as we were.

Isn’t that AMAZING!!

We could have different opinions and still be friends!
We could still enjoy being around each other!

There is not enough of that in the world today.

People are quick to nasty when others don’t share their views.
Families and friendships are destroyed because of differences of opinions.

When did we stop believing that everyone doesn’t have to be like us?
When did we stop just listening to each other?
When did we stop having conversations about what makes us different?
When did we stop being curious about people?
When did people become so narrow-minded?

It makes me very sad.
We miss out on so much when we don’t open ourselves up to others that are different than us.

I try very hard to be open minded to all types of people.
To listen to what others have to say.
To appreciate that we can be different.

I am the Get Real coach for women, what you see is what you get.

I challenge you to talk to someone that is ‘different’ than you.
I challenge you to ask questions and listen to the answers to see if you can learn from them.
And, if not, just be.
Be ok with the differences.
Without judgement.
They have a right to be who they are, just as you have the right to be who you are.

Want to talk about this?
Click on the link to schedule your free 30 minute consultation.
I’d love to talk to you.

I live unapologetically me and can help you live unapologetically you. xo

As always, feel free to leave any questions or comments.