Divine Feminine: a retreat

Recently, I was honored to be invited to a special retreat held for local birth workers. The Divine Femine retreat was soul-opening and (little did I know) very much needed. My good friend, Brittany Fitzgerald, felt called to lead this retreat in her own journey as a birth worker. She pulled it off beautifully and I believe found her lifes calling in the process. This 2 day event touched parts of my soul I thought were ok, parts I thought were healed and parts I didn't realize I needed touched. I am forever greateful to Brittany for her dedication to our community and am so excited to see where this journey of hers leads.

Day 1:

We participated in a lot of soul searching. We meditated often. Brittany chose a special, handmade mala for each of us to use. It was such a touching offering and I will treasure the one she chose for me.  

a handmade mala. gifted from Brittany. 

a handmade mala. gifted from Brittany. 

I haven't meditated in a long time and what it reminded me is that I crave meditation. At the end of the day, after my feelings bubbled to the surface multiple times within the group, I felt calm and centered. My evening with my family went smoothly. I could feel the energy at work. I am thankful for the reminder to meditate and how it is so beneficial to my well-being. 

We did a wonderful exercise in listening and sharing. When I shared, I stumbled over my words and couldn't elaborate what my heart was feeling in words. While holding the light for my sisters, I felt at peace. While being the active listener, I heard the affirmations I needed to hear for this time of my life. Hearing that what you do matters is so validating. Hearing that you should follow your dreams, no matter where other peoples journeys take them, is epic. 

Day 2: 

I could feel the energy buzzing when I stepped into the room on day two. I was eager to participate and keep chipping away at things that my soul was hiding. Brittany read us a Feminie meditation that was beautifully written by her own two hands. It was absolutely perfect.  We kept the moodlight and uplofting with a dance session right before we moved to another location to begin our intuitive painting process.

Whenwe arrived at the place that was to be our studio for the afternoon, we were fed nourishing foods and got to laugh with each other while we ate. After lunch, we discussed the ins and outs of intuitive painting. Intuitive painting is when you sit in contemplation before your canvas, releasing all expectations, then just let the paint flow. Below is my painting. It's very feminine, which is a oart of myself I tend to diminish. It sits on my dresser so I can see it each morning and night.

 

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If you ever are presented with a chance to attend a retreat such as this, I highly encourage you to go. Sitting with like-minded women is nourishing to your soul. It's something I intend to do more often. 

Ancient Roots Art Show:2013

I was honored to create and fulfill a dream of helping Oklahoma's new Mothers' Milk Bank. My friend and fellow doula, Brittany Fitzgerald, and I came up with a wild idea, to create art centered around motherhood. After some initial brainstorming, we realized that World Breastfeeding Week was only 2 months away.

Could we possibly gather enough artists, find a suitable venue, get enough sponsors and pull off an art show that people would actually come to? Well, we did it. I am so proud of our accomplishments and grateful to each and every person who supported or contributed to this event. We raised a lot of money for the Milk Bank. All unsold art is available or purchase at Green Bambino through the end of August. All proceeds go to Oklahoma Mothers' Milk Bank.

Here are some images from the night of the event. *Photos by Debi Bocar

Keri Boone, Brittany Fitzgerald, Keri Hale, Deanna Norris

Keri Boone, Brittany Fitzgerald, Keri Hale, Deanna Norris

art by Deanna Norris, photography by Ian Norris

art by Deanna Norris, photography by Ian Norris

local artist entries. Available at Green Bambino

local artist entries. Available at Green Bambino

local artist entries. Available at Green Bambino 

local artist entries. Available at Green Bambino