Today’s post is an introduction to a retreat I’m designing as part of my studies in the Master Facilitator Program (MFP) with the Koelle Institute. I am sharing my idea here because in many ways this is a big stretch for me. It’s a workshop designed specifically for women facing cancer.
Up until now, I haven’t felt comfortable marketing a program specifically for these women. However, over the years I’ve coached, and helped, many women while leading other programs. I have often thought I’d like to find a way to offer something specifically for them.
This has become an even stronger calling for me since working with the horses. One requirement for my MFP training is to design a new workshop working with the horses. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring these passions together. So far, I have the writeup, and I’m beginning the process of setting the date and location.
I’d love your feedback and wanted to share with you this next step for me.
When Your Body Fails – Rebuilding Trust During or After Cancer
“I don’t trust my body anymore.”
“I’m always afraid the cancer will come back.”
“My body is like a leaky boat with a thousand holes.”
“What did I do wrong or what am I doing wrong?”
“Why did this happen to me?”
I hear these comments from my clients who have or are facing cancer. One of the biggest challenges when the body fails is reestablishing trust again.
The Cancer Separation Syndrome
There is so much about cancer that overwhelms and separates a person from the world around them and their own resources.
I know this not just from coaching people facing cancer over the years but from my own journey through four cancers.
Often cancer is a fight. The battle and the message is to stay strong, be positive, and don’t give up. The medical model is focused on curing the cancer. All the while, the body is being attacked with chemicals, radiation, surgical procedures, medications to reduce pain or help quiet the storm. Family and friends just want you to be okay and are often fearful of talking about the reality of the situation.
You may be too! You may not want to be strong or positive. Indeed, you may be terrified, angry, or tired of the fight.
Maybe you were the one who turned around your cancer – survived. But you may still be left wondering when whether it will come back, or why did I survive and someone else didn’t.
Thus, separation occurs from self and from others.
The Path Back to Wholeness
There is a path back to wholeness. One where you can rediscover the wisdom of your body and develop an ability to tap into your full emotional landscape going forward in your life, whatever your diagnosis may be.
This retreat is designed to support you, rebuilding your relationship to yourself and to the world around. We’ll be tapping into the healing that can come from sharing with other women walking the path back to wholeness after cancer. Part of the journey will be tapping into the wisdom that comes from being around and with horses.
A Horse Can Show You the Way
Horses are amazing beings to support you coming back to yourself.
Horses can teach you to listen to your body. Become aware of signals and be curious about whatever symptoms or sensations come up.
We tend to think we need to be fixed. Horses can help us discover the power of simply listening with curiosity. Horses are innately connected to the world around them – they have to be to survive.
Horses can hold a space for you to practice acceptance of whatever is.
Too often, we want to use words and stories to support, inspire, and facilitate someone in a health crisis. Often, though well intended, there is way too much interference and fear.
Because horses are so tuned in to physical signals, they rely heavily on their own ability to be acutely aware of what is happening in and around them at all times. Without the interference of storytelling, horses can teach us how to come back home to ourselves when we have lost the connection.
Horses Return to Their Natural State Fastest
Did you know that horses are the species that returns fastest to a feral state?
You may be asking yourself: Is this a good thing? Returning to a wild, untamed, undomesticated state?
Yes - in other words, horses let go of trauma faster and return faster to their own natural state than any other species!
I believe this is why horses are so healing and helpful in assisting us in reconnecting to our natural state!
What to Expect
During this retreat, you will be invited to discover your own path home. Yes, you’ll have a chance to connect to the horses. Not riding but relating. Relating and connecting with a horse demands first connecting and deeply relating with yourself.
You will have the opportunity to practice setting boundaries and finding ways to communicate more congruently and effectively. Together we’ll take the energetic lessons from the horses and create ways to apply the learning going forward into your relationships, with your medical team, your family, and your friends.
In addition, you’ll have the shared wisdom and resonance of other women who have been on a similar journey back to wholeness.
I haven’t yet set the date for this new program offering. It will be happening in the fall 2019 or early spring of 2020.
In the meantime, if you are struggling with what I refer to as cancer separation syndrome or another health-related challenge that is holding you back from connection to wholeness—consider joining us in May for Find Your Mojo in Montana. (We had one spot open up!)
Or contact me to schedule an in person Private Mojo Intensive here in Montana.
I’d love to work with you and help you rebuild trust in your own wholeness – to go feral and back to your wild, untamed self!
You can trust again,
Susan
P.S. We had one spot open up for Find Your Mojo in Montana! Wondering if it’s a fit for you? Give us a call (406.730.2710) or email us to see if Find Your Mojo in Montana is for you.
CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke
Coaches, Business Consultants, Speakers and Authors of The Beauty of Conflict
CrisMarie and Susan work leaders and teams, couples in business, and professional women.
They help turnaround dysfunctional teams into high performing, cohesive teams who trust each other, deal with differences directly, and have clarity and alignment on their business strategy so they create great results.
Check out their website: www.thriveinc.com. Connect with CrisMarie and Susan on LinkedIn. Watch their TEDx Talk: Conflict – Use It, Don’t Defuse It! Find your copy of The Beauty of Conflict: Harnessing Your Team's Competitive Advantage here.