I began my personal work in 1986. At the young age of 22, I had a sudden realization (my God moment) that I needed help to awaken to myself and become the woman I was meant to be. AA was solid ground to start my journey on, and I’ll be forever grateful for the 12 steps. Besides sobriety and the tools to stay sober, AA was where I met my husband (Mark) and together, we raised our kids in a sober household.
My Journey
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
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~ Kahlil Gibran
When Mark went through a men’s program called The New Warrior Training Adventure in the early 90's, I saw a new fire in him that was attractive to me. This led to finding and attending the sister program - the Woman Within Training - opening up a whole new world. I staffed weekends as often as possible, practicing facilitation skills I still use today. My new fire was channeled to bringing this work to as many women as possible, resulting in Southern California trainings and the Woman Within West Coast Center.
Helping to heal women through AA and Woman Within felt right. It’s who I am. And yet there was more to recover about myself on my way to authenticity, and I took every opportunity that was presented. If there was a roadblock, I found a way around it. A men's-only Mission Training was one of those blocks.
"Never to suffer would never to have been blessed."
~ Edgar Allan Poe
I went to the founder of the weekend and offered my help in making the Mission weekend a co-ed training, so I could attend as well as open the weekend to other women.
I never stopped acquiring tools to awaken more and more of my authentic self. My search took me to many weekend experiences, such as shadow work and couples’ trainings. I had the opportunity to sharpen my skills by leading and facilitating in a variety of programs, including trainings that were co-ed, workshops for teen girls, sober women, Woman Within and Outside Circle – a program developed by ex-cons.
Throughout my journey, my path revealed shamanic teachers to help me re-remember the wisdom and practice of ancient healing and native medicine. The thread of this type of work was always there – it was woven into my DNA. Personal work is spiritual work, and I hold it as sacred. I also recognize the benefit of my facilitation training in energetic healing - each road leads to the other.
My desire to bring healing to as many as possible hasn’t wavered. I know how hard it is to see beyond the next hill to climb; I know the value of continuing the climb. And I know that sometimes, hills seem easier to climb with somebody at your side.
