There are times in life when we invest in ourselves not because we need another qualification or another certificate, but because something deep within us knows there is more to learn, more to experience and more to become.
The last few weeks have been one of those times for me.
A couple of weekends ago I travelled to Lewes for my Sacred Geometry Level 2 training with the wonderful Siobhan and Joa. Level 1 had already opened my eyes to a completely different way of understanding energy, but Level 2 seemed to take everything to a much deeper level.
Some of what I learned was purely for my own personal growth and understanding. Not everything we learn is meant to be shared or turned into a treatment. Sometimes the greatest gift is simply the experience itself and the way it changes us from within.
Alongside that personal learning, there were also techniques and ideas that immediately sparked excitement about how they could support others. Working with sacred geometry alongside sound, tuning forks and Tibetan bowls has opened up new possibilities that I am looking forward to exploring further. I can already see ways these approaches may be woven into future treatments and healing experiences, although as always I like to spend time experiencing things for myself before sharing them with others.
What struck me just as much as the learning itself were the people. Both the training group in Lewes and the retreat group in Spain brought together such a fascinating mix of souls. Therapists, teachers, healers and seekers from different backgrounds, each bringing their own experiences, perspectives and wisdom. Some connections were brand new, whilst others deepened into friendships that I know will continue long after the events themselves have finished.
After the training there was a brief pause before I travelled to Spain for a retreat in the mountains near Órgiva, again with Siobhan and Joa. This part of the journey felt different. It wasn't about studying or taking notes. It was simply about being.
The days were filled with yoga, Tai Chi, sacred geometry, sound, essential oils, laughter, conversation and moments of quiet reflection. There was no pressure to achieve anything or produce anything. Instead, there was space to slow down, breathe and reconnect. In a world that often encourages us to keep moving forward, there is something incredibly valuable about allowing ourselves time to simply receive.
At the beginning of the retreat we were invited to set an intention for something we wished to welcome more of into our lives. Without much hesitation, I chose joy. Not because life is lacking joy, but because somewhere amongst work, responsibilities and the busyness of everyday life, it can sometimes be easy to forget to notice it.
Throughout the retreat we worked with oracle cards and, quite unexpectedly, the cards I drew seemed to tell a story. Each day brought a message that built upon the one before it and I found myself becoming curious about what might appear next.
On the final day, after our closing ceremony, I drew one last card. The message was Joy and Contentment. I remember smiling as I looked at it. After setting the intention to invite more joy into my life at the beginning of the retreat, there it was reflected back to me in that final moment.
It was one of those experiences that is difficult to explain and impossible to prove, yet deeply meaningful all the same. Some people might call it coincidence, others synchronicity. Whatever it was, it felt incredibly special to me. It was as though the universe had quietly tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Yes, I heard you."
One thing both the training and the retreat reminded me of is how important it is to make time to receive as well as give. It is very easy to spend our lives looking after others, organising things, planning the next event, the next workshop or the next thing on the to-do list. Having the opportunity to simply be present, learn, connect and be supported by others felt like a real gift.
I returned home feeling grateful. Grateful for the learning, grateful for the friendships, grateful for the beautiful surroundings and grateful for the opportunity to step away from daily life for a little while.
Of course, reality soon returned. Early mornings, everyday responsibilities, nursery runs with Noah, catching up with clients and all the little jobs that patiently wait for us to come home soon replaced mountain views and retreat schedules.
The learning from Lewes is still settling and I suspect it will continue to do so for quite some time. The retreat in Spain is settling too. Some of the things I experienced will eventually find their way into my work, whilst others feel as though they were simply meant for me.
For now, I'm simply letting everything settle. What I do know is that I came away with some wonderful memories, some lovely new friendships, a notebook full of ideas and a smile on my face after that final card appeared: Joy and Contentment. I couldn't really have asked for a better ending to the journey.
