All We Have Is Now

Are you chasing your purpose at the expense of being present

Apr 15, 2024

Dear Friend

How are you today?

I’m not sure how I feel today, a little tired but hugely grateful and still processing the EPIC weekend I’ve just been blessed with. I had the privilege of attending

Elizabeth Gilbert

weekend retreat in London, where I met familiar faces, shared stories with fellow Substack pals and made friends with wonderful strangers.

I’ve so many creative gems, inspirational quotes and notes to share with you from the retreat, but today I want to take time to reflect on the support, the love, the learnings, and the connections I gained from sharing a room with so many likeminded souls.

Elizabeth Gilbert is a force of nature, a gentle, witty woman, and an extraordinary human being. What is most remarkable about her, is the tribe of women she brings together, as is my ethos with Ease Retreats, Ms Gilbert encourages strangers to connect, to talk, to share stories and leave as friends, many of whom will remain connected for days, months and years to come.

Before I go, I’d like to leave you with a poem I wrote. Elizabeth encouraged each guest to write a poem at the end of the weekend retreat to summarise our experience. During the first morning workshop, one of her quotes really resonated with me and I based my poem on it “Less purpose, more presence”. I’ve found my purpose in life, my calling, my North Star, but in doing so I’m not sure I live a life in the present moment as much as I should.

So here is my little poem as a note to self, I hope you enjoy reading it and maybe just maybe it will resonate with you.

Until the next time

Taste care and stay safe xx

“All We Have Is Now’

In the quest for purpose I often roam

Through twisted paths, far from home

Seeking meaning in the distant haze

Lost in the vastness of life’s maze

But amidst the chaos, a whisper calls

A gentle reminder, as the night falls

To be present, in this moment’s grace.

To find solace in this sacred space

For purpose is not a distant shore

But a flame that burns within me evermore

In the stillness of my hearts desire

I find the essence of why I inspire

I’ll let go of the need to strive and chase

And embrace the beauty of this place

For in the quiet of the here and now

I’ll uncover the truth and the how

To the wisdom that resides in each breath

In the simple joys and the face of death

For in being present, I come alive

And find my purpose in this divine dive

Huge thanks to

Nicola

for being my fun loving London guide, for being a wonderful host and for welcoming me into her beautiful home. I throughly enjoyed viewing London through the eyes of a local.

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