Spirit Weavers Retreat
OCL held this year’s retreat at Highland Forest with our good friends, John O’Brien, Beth Mount and Gail Jacobs. It was a time for people we support, Board members, family and staff to come together to talk about the spirit of OCL. It was an energizing two days in which we all talked openly and creatively about what makes OCL what it is. Beth brought us through deeper discussions about what OCL is like, while John pulled the themes out from what we all said. Gail helped us to visualize what we were telling them so that a lasting piece would be created for us all to rejoice with. John is now working with us also to put a book together that captures the OCL spirit.
OCL is like:
- Walking in other people’s shoes
- A rare diamond
- We don’t say NO!
- A landscape of many choices and opportunities
- A garden
- Listening to people to discover what matters
- Giving wings to dreams
- Opening doors
- Giving and receiving love
- Explorers going into new territory where others fear to tread!
- A tailor
- A great ice cream sundae
- Handshakes
- A true friend there in good days and bad
- High tolerance for disorder
- A village of people all there to help one another
- Going home to be ourselves
OCL had the good fortune of having Michael
Kendrick spend two days with us in June. Monday the 21st was a reflective
retreat looking deeper into each of our roles in the mission
of the agency. Staff, board members, housemates and people supported through
OCL talked together in small groups to gain a deeper insight into themselves
and within their roles with the people who have come to OCL for support.
It was a wonderfully peaceful gathering, with some very powerful discussions
and learning, held at beautiful location.
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The second day was open to the public, where Michael Kendrick
presented on "What One Person Can Do". Too many times we all
succumb to our own self defeating qualities. I am spread too thin, the
problem's too big, who would listen anyway? Many of these are mental obstructions
that allow a person to defeat themselves and do nothing of value. Are
you letting yourself be defined by events or by your own hand? Each of
us needs to orient ourselves to what is possible, what we can control,
what small step each person can make. Each of us can work to make a difference
in ordinary ways. Many ordinary acts will lead to the extraordinary. Many
small acts repeated over time make a difference. We can all make a difference.
Take action, seize the moment, move ahead. Even if you are not where you
want to be you will be closer.
The Inner Peace workshop was held on May 19th 2004. We would like to thank Bonnie, Cheryl and Shonan for spending their time with us. There is much to be learned from these three woman who have worked deeply with their own practices. Each person who attended came back with their own personal techniques that could help them in their own lives. A booklet was developed that includes all of our collective thoughts. A Blessing that was shared is included with this for those who are interested.