Relate, Reflect, Renew
October 6-9, 2023
A Connection Works Retreat at the Whidbey Institute
Building on the themes of our two previous retreats—Renewal and Resilience—we want to invite you into an exploration—and direct experience—of Relating.
We are always—consciously and unconsciously—relating to ourselves, to one another, and to our world. Our ways of relating strongly influence and shape our lives—for better and worse.
And yet, in our fast-paced, hustle-driven world, we rarely have the space to reflect on how we are relating.
Are we relating in ways that feel aligned with who we are? Wait, are we even feeling connected to who we are?
What do we want in our relationships? What do people want from us? How do these two things relate?
How do we want to relate to the world around us? How much control do we even have when it comes to that anyway?
So much is happening under the surface—under the surface of our busy-ness, under the surface of our thoughts and actions, under the surface of our relationships, under the surface of how we orient towards the world around us.
Getting out of the “rapids on the surface of our lives”—if only for a weekend—gives us the chance to connect with the “calm currents in our depths”.
It might feel like there is nothing but chaos and confusion all the way down but there is grounded clarity within you.
Give yourself the gift of (re)connecting to it. Relating from that place in you changes everything. For the better.
Give yourself the gift of stopping for a couple of days.
Give yourself the gift of being in nature.
Give yourself the gift of listening to yourself and others.
Give yourself the gift of being supported to rest, reflect, relate, and renew.
Join us on retreat.
The Retreat Experience and General Schedule
The Whidbey Institute is truly a magical place to be. Greg and Shannon have attended a lot of retreats at a lot of different places and there is just something about The Whidbey Institute that is like no other place. Come experience it for yourself.
Here’s a bit about what you can expect:
Fri, Oct 6: Feel your shoulders relax as you take the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry to Whidbey Island to arrive as early at 1:00 pm to settle in, relax on the beautiful grounds, or take a hike through the majestic woods. The retreat will formally start at 4:00 pm.
Sat & Sun: Wake to the quiet of the forest or, if you’re lucky, the hoot of the owls. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet. Gather for facilitated individual and group activities. Eat a nourishing lunch. Luxuriate in some free time to rest, read, journal, hike. Gather for facilitated individual and group activities. End the day with a decadent dinner. Perhaps spend time around the campfire (burn ban dependent), enjoy some social time, or cozy up in your room with a good book.
Mon, Oct 9: Again, wake to the quiet of the forest and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet. Gather for facilitated individual and group activities in morning. Close our retreat together at 12:00 pm. Travel home refreshed and renewed.
retreat costs
MEALS: The food at the Whidbey Institute is delicious! It is prepared fresh on site and includes a lot of local and organic ingredients. They can accommodate food allergies and preferences. You will be able to indicate your dietary needs and restrictions in your registration. The retreat includes amazing 8 meals, Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast for $180.
LODGING: Rooms at the Whidbey Institute are simple yet incredibly comfortable and cozy. A mix of single and shared rooms will be available. All bathrooms are shared. Singles will be X total for 3 nights and shared rooms will be X total for 3 nights (2 people in twin beds).
TUITION: Tuition covers retreat design, facilitation, and supplies. Tuition is $500 (with 50% off for BIPOC).
Note: The Whidbey Institute registration process bundles meals and lodging together along with registration fees & COVID test.