Here's a few memories from the weekend:
I volunteered for a Retreat this weekend, benefiting people who are HIV positive. We comment every year about how positive these people are indeed. This is my third year volunteering and it has become one that I look so forward to each year. It is amazing all that the Retreat does for the participants and us lucky volunteers who get to attend also. The volunteers offer assistance with various art projects, in the kitchen, different 'break-out sessions' and then the good stuff: massage, acupuncture, Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and Therapeutic Touch.
While at camp, I generally go where I am needed: spending the most time in the art area, the kitchen ("chopping"), and sometimes, at least once, I get brave and do a little Reiki. This year, I sort of followed my typical pattern but instead of the kitchen, I helped lead a 'breakout art session'. At the day retreat, months ago, we had made worry dolls out of scraps of fabric and pipe cleaners. They were a big success. At the full retreat, we continued that theme but went with yarn. As before, the activity was great, helpful, and something *everyone* could do.
The breakout was a pretty easy one, we explained the Guatemalan tradition to the participants of telling their worries to their dolls, so the dolls would do the worrying and they would not. In addition, with the help of another volunteer 'T, (a Psychologist), we had them talk of their current worries before we started. Afterwards, I gave all of the participants directions not unlike the ones found here: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Yarn-Doll and many beautiful dolls were created. I made a few over the weekend too and on the last night, used them as part of my table decoration, as seen below. Each doll has a basic structure of yarn and some have ribbons to embellish or just more yarn on top. The dolls were a hit for everyone, even those that considered themselves "not-crafty". They really are too fun to make, very forgiving, and definitely good for all ages:
I published the rest on Craftster:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=246973.msg2734584#msg2734584
The Reiki that I allowed myself to take part in was nice too. I mirrored 'T as we worked on a Client we worked on last year. I could feel immediate heat as I would mirror specific hand positions, otherwise, it was fun to feel the waves of energy and see the Client twitch as if in response too. :D My Master also gave me a boost too after only a little begging. :P
Another significant part of the weekend (there were so many) was the Releasing Ceremony, a change to release old habits, negative thoughts, etc - whatever was needed, to help find peace and healing. I believe everyone participated and I think it may actually have helped me!! :D I am finding myself a bit calmer this week (I'm sure having Monday off didn't hurt either) and my outlook on most things does seem to be better. If only I wasn't so tired though. I had acupuncture done and cupping (which is FREAKY to witness the first time) because my most wonderful acupuncturist thought I was fighting something (thanks Boss! - who was sick). My trophy of that experience has been these six lovely circular bruises on my back and the wild memory of the sensation of fire and ice. The bad headaches stopped though so I am a believer!
So the weekend was a fantastic success and I came away with new friends and strengthen relationships. For me, one of the most powerful things is just walking across the campus and calling out to the people I know, or them calling to me. For one who is a bit shy, this is a big deal. The volunteers will joke that everyone is their higher self at camp...so I guess my higher self is a pretty outgoing, huggy person.
I tell ya, it is not a Retreat to be missed!!
Now a wacky thing to share from my loved one...it's representative of how I feel at work at the moment, ok, no image worky...here's the link though: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/racerx666/halp01.jpg hehe.
