- Thursday, April 14, 2011
- Posted in art
One of my newest sponsors that I am so thrilled to share with you is Serendipity Retreats. A comfy space for art and yoga by the sea in a beautifully intimate setting. I remember a few years back, driving down a windy road while at Squam and hearing whispers about this dreamy retreat to be and I felt a sense of calm in my bones. It was a healing oasis for those that took part of the first retreat and it continues again this October.
There are four guides at this retreat, sharing their wisdom, soul and heart. And today, here in my space, they wanted to share something with my readers. Below you will find a piece of their beautiful world that they are offering. There will be four people chosen, one for each gift.
To enter for one of these beauties, you just need to comment on this post. Tell us what serendipity means to you in your life. It can be one word or many or a story but be sure to mention which gift you feel called to.
I will announce the four winners at the beginning of next week. Comments will be closed on Sunday evening.
Call of the Wild – signed 8.5×11 fine art print from Pixie Campbell.
“Wolf answers when called. No questions asked. Leaves fear behind. Lifts strong paws and pads lightly across the earth, nose to the ground, fur up on neck, ears up, and bright eyes leading the way.”
A signed copy of “The Dread Crew” from Kate Inglis
January Magazine calls The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods by Kate Inglis ‘a spirited tale, gorgeously rendered’. It suits hooligans and adventure-seekers 8-80 years old. By October’s Serendipity Retreat, the sequel will be undergoing final line edits.
“What a mess. See, wherever they go, the pirates chew up the forest, all mindless crashing with that giant woodship. All they care about is junk and they’ll crush anything that gets in the way. I was just as blind to it as you until one day I tripped over a clue. And then another. What else was there to do? I became a pirate hunter. I tracked them like a thunderstorm. I collected evidence and found their trail. Then they disappeared. Then I met the weirdest girl in the world. Turns out she was their scout. Then together we stole their ship. By the time you get to the end you see it’s really just the beginning…”
Love*Listen*Trust rocks from Mccabe Russell
Hand painted beach stones from the magical shore of Southern California. Each rock infused with magic and love. use them to create whimsy in your everyday life. (but be careful what you wish for.)
Self care/Mommy’s night in kit from Michelle Madden Smith
a yoga mat, a lavender-filled eye pillow, aromatherapy, a bottle of wine, and a few other yummy surprises…
April 14, 2011
It’s been awesome to see/feel it happen.I’ve dreamt of living in the Pacific Northwest for many years but variious things happened in my life that kind of derailed my dream. Out of the blue my boss asked me to move to Washington and continue my caregiving job.Ahh SERENDIPITY.
I’m very drawn to Pixies beautiful Wolf. That is also a bit serendipitous:)
April 14, 2011
The sweet joyful accident of finding your blog. Inspiring me to be braver and in turn share my creativity. I love Pixie Campbell’s Call of the Wild. X
April 14, 2011
Serendipity is me! The word means “a happy accident” – and I was very nearly given that name at birth. My mum still some times calls me that as a nickname. I was my parents’ “happy accident”: the child they never expected, the one born 13 years after the previous one.
The gift I love the most is the word stones. Those three words pictured are meaningful words for me.
April 14, 2011
Oh, how I long to be able to go to this retreat! I mean, you are my women! The wild women who are impassioned and real! I long to celebrate my innate power and beauty with all of you!
Serendipity to me is when heaven and earth conspire to delight… and it happens often.
To dance with the Mermaid, pick nettles with the Pixie, and loving create wonder with all of you.. that is what I am drawn to.
April 14, 2011
Serendipity, to me, is moving away to find a new life and discovering that home was waiting for me all along. I head back there in two weeks! I am drawn to the self-care kit – even though I am not a biological mommy yet, I have been a spiritual mom to 80+ kids for 5 years, and sometimes I forget to take care of me as I take care of them! It’s a great reminder…
April 14, 2011
Serendipity to me is…let’s see if I can put it into words in the way it feels to me.
Serendipity is that feeling where something spontaneously happens, but yet you know that it was supposed to happen and it was in divine order. That feeling that the angels are carrying you to exactly where you need to be, and another set of angel’s are guiding someone else to that exact spot for you to meet.
It happens perfectly and you have that feeling of “whoa this was supposed to happen”.
Or you magically end up sitting in a cafe sipping the most delicious cup of coffee you’ve ever had, and the wind gusts your hair in such a way that you feel enlightened. It’s serendipitous, you couldn’t have created it if you had tried, and yet it as if a blanket of angel wings are wrapped around you.
I’ve been eyeing the retreat for a while and would LOVE to attend and soak up you lovely ladies energy.
Much love!
April 14, 2011
Serendipity… fate helping along the way.
The self care kit…. oh, yeah…. sounds perfect.
Thanks for the opportunity!
April 14, 2011
Serendipity to me is living fully right now and been open to any magical portal that opens up in this moment. It happens all the time and all around us and we can be open to seeing it or too busy to notice…I aspire to be open more…
I am very drawn to Pixie’s ‘Call of the Wild’ print, it just gave me goosebumps.
April 14, 2011
I truly felt serendipity at work when I met my husband. It was in every inch of my soul that we were meant to be together. I love all your gifts, but I love love the rocks. they really speak to me and where I am at in my life right now. <3
April 15, 2011
I feel as though my life has been filled with serendipitous moments. For a long, long period in my life, luck and fate seemed to find me and fulfill me, and I feel very fortunate. I love all of the gifts, but am most drawn to the self-care kit, partly because I’m not feeling very serendipitous lately and would love an excuse to pamper myself, and also because Michelle was once my very caring best friend in another, younger life, and I would love to see what magic her care kit would bring me! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
April 15, 2011
For me, serendipity is how my life continues to surprise me, as my dreams manifest in ways and forms that are unexpected … and how I must continually let any of my preconceived ideas about what life should look like fall away, away, away so that I can be present to receive what is truly mine! This means being brave – sometimes what I need to receive is rocky and prickly and difficult. But it’s always right. I love Pixie Campbell’s print x
April 15, 2011
serendipity = trusting
McCabes sweet stones are my wish, please and thank you!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity is that movement, that wave that comes rushing at you when you are in the right place, right time, right moment. When you choose to do something so right for you, for your soul and all around, all the world comes to you, comes rushing at you and just say: Here you are, we’ve been waiting for you.
When you are on the right path, everything is just there to take you further.
April 15, 2011
serendipity.. finding the perfect book for my little one at the thrift store, the walk I take to school, a delicious dinner coming togethor from some measly pantry items.. all with my family and the ones I love… laying down paint and wondering at the new creation in front of me, leaving the studio with paint on my fingers, reminders of the creative burst.
April 15, 2011
Lately, my life has been a small series of serendipitous events. My friends gave me shelter recently after I was made to leave my home because of potential violence. I’ve never known fear quite like that – facing homelessness while an ex held thoughts of harming me in his mind. My little dog and I have found a home of our own- all quite through serendipity and meeting angels sent along the way. I sit here typing this feeling a deep sense of fullness in my heart being at home again, while my little sweet girl doggy sleeps that deep sleep that comes from being home and loved.
April 15, 2011
balance…..I can never seem to get it on purpose, or keep it…..so it is rather serendipitous to me at this point in my life…..I am torn between the rocks and The Wild….but I choose The Wild as I need to leave fear behind and move forward into my future!!! xoxo
April 15, 2011
life!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity in my life means that I’m present enough to listen to the messages being shown to me, I’m still enough to hear in my heart what isn’t being said, and I’m reacting to my intuition and my instincts in the most authentic and clear way possible. When those conditions are satisfied, my life is ripe for serendipity. And since I *love* serendipity, I try to build the space in my life for it to show up more often than not.
Last week in my treating trauma class, we talked about treating compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma in military families. A few hours later, my brother-in-law called from his deployment in Afghanistan and asked me to drive many, many hours (14+) overnight to check in on my sister, who is working full time to support spouses of deceased soldiers. She is also single parenting a 3 year old while her husband is deployed. Within 24 hours of learning exactly how to help her on a deep, therapeutic level, I was there doing it. That to me is serendipity, and it’s also why I’m drawn to the “Self care/Mommy’s Night In” kit from Michelle: My sister is coming here for a visit in a month, and I would love to take her to a yoga class and indulge her with some adult lady time while grandma is babysitting.
April 15, 2011
My whole life is serendipity … I make magical life discoveries serendipitously. Friends, surprises, peaceful places, opportunities, happy things …. they just surround me. And I welcome them!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity is knowing that you are in the right place….knowing that you are on the right path. Serendipity is found in the little reminders that are more than coincidences…it whispers, “You are right where you need to be in this moment”. I would love the Mama’s Night In kit…this mama of two could definitely go for a relaxing chilled out evening!
April 15, 2011
I was obviously in la-la land when I read to choose a gift because I chose one that wasn’t offered. my apologizes for my spaciness. I choose the Self care/Mommy’s night in kit if I can switch.
You’re an inspiration Denise!
April 15, 2011
For me, Serendipity is when I lived before in Alaska, but didn’t feel like it was home. I moved back up, two years later, with the right person, and all of a sudden, it was.
Have a magical weekend!
April 15, 2011
Serendipitiy is when the earth sends you down a path to find a “kismety” (yeah, I made that word up) connection. All the while, you feel like you were born to make this connection, and, in fact, you were….Mother Earth just paved this path with beauties thatt attracted you, and helped guide you to your serendipitous partner.
I feel oh so connected to the Self Care/Mamas Night In kit. Im a mama in need of some gentle nurturing. Ive had a sense lately that nothing in this worl anymore is just “mine”, esp my time. I have to pee in front of my 20 month old. Nothing is scared anymore!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity is that moment that hits you and everything feels right, maybe you had a part in it. Maybe it caught you unexpectedly. Pixie’s wolf print speaks to me, partially because I have girl crush on her and partially because I’m working on a project with a group of fearless women and we’ve had to tackle some things head on this week.
April 15, 2011
serendipity = destiny with a big splash of fun
i like the stones.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity, for me, is that anchored feeling in the depth of my soul. Despite my world being a swirl of chaos and uncertainty, when Serendipty comes, I feel grounded and instinctively know that what I have been waiting for is about to arrive.
This has been proven in my youth time and again with friends, jobs, opportunities and experiences. Somehow, as I have become more focused on being mom, wife and transitioning careers, I have lost much of that deep connection with my self and I have been working for the last few months to regain that sense of self.
For that reason, I would be grateful to receive the Self Care kit. (and for what it is worth, I think Serendipity is at work for each of us that arrive here today!)
April 15, 2011
serendipity…the calm, centeredness of being, living in the present of this amazing life…
ohhhh to indulge in a Self Care kit what a dream…to experience a retreat is even more of a luxurious dream!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity = Each day that I get to watch my baby boy grow up.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity, unpredicted stories created with beautiful strangers or even self while on quests.
A few weeks ago I was tasked to find my parents’ pictures from 1981 to 2011 for their 30th anniversary. Along the way I took out a passport photograph of my mother from a massive album and placed it among the piles of pictures messily stacked in my bedroom.
It wasn’t until two days later that an inner voice told me to look beneath that very passport photo.. There I found, in my father’s capitalized penmanship,
“20.9.80 (SAT) – INTRODUCTION
25.9.80 (THURS) – 1ST DATE
ONWARD – IN LOVE DEEPLY”
The first word that came to my head..
Serendipity.
Love, listen, trust rocks.. Write not on sand but on rocks, as they are forever.
April 15, 2011
peace and love. being with my husband and child and feeling that inner calm that envelopes me when I am in their presence.
I am in love with the mommy’s night kit…what a relaxing gift that sounds like! especially since my little one loves to wake me up frequently during the night
April 15, 2011
Serendipity to me is when I step back from my life (and the pushing and pulling things along). When I step back and stop moving and trust that the right direction will come to me; I always end up in the right place. All of the best parts of my life have come after I’ve done this. And each time I quietly wink to myself and think, serendipity.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity occurs for me when small things happen to reassure me that I’m on the right path when I’m not feeling so much like I am. Whether it’s a post that I needed to read, a friend calling out of the blue, or an opportunity that suddenly presents itself..
I am drawn to Pixie’s work, she is very inspiring. Thank you all for the give away!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity is found for me in little moments throughout the day when least expected. I teach at a turn around school in a very poor part of the city. My students are faced with so many problems and never see beyond the concrete jungle where they live. It is challenging work. On my route to work there is a little farm where longhorns, hens and sheep all co-exist right on the outskirts of this concrete abyss. I purposely take that route to work to bring serendipity into my crazy day. I also find it when I can sneak creativity into my reading class whenever possible. Watching these kids be creative lets them have a moment of serendipity all their own without them even noticing. Serendipity.
April 15, 2011
i’ll always feel that my meeting and subsequent friendship and love relationships with my husband were and are very serendipitous <3
the self care/mommy's night in sounds heavenly, especially since we are expecting our first baby very very soon!
April 15, 2011
For me, serendipity=The universe’s way of answering my prayers.
I would LOVE the Mommy’s Night In kit!
April 15, 2011
Gosh, thats a hard one.SERENDIPITY DEFINITION: Accidental discovery, luck, stumbling upon
I would have to say that I hope that SERENDIPITY stumbles upon me to be able to fight my Depression, or at least find the right meds to help.
maybe I will stumble and fall right upon it,
I LOVE the HUGE BUDDA
can you just get a big truck and tell me I can win the Budda instead and we can place it in my front yar, giggle.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity is an exquisite moment of coinciding events/happenings/awakenings/meetings. It is *joy* when it happens!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity to me means peace. Peace with who I am and peace with where I am at. Finding beauty in it all…in the small things….through the hard times. That is what “meeting” these women through the FB/Blog world has done for me. What an inspiration they are as strong, real women who share their stories so honestly. Yes…a blessing indeed!
April 15, 2011
Serendipity (a happy accident) makes me think of my son LOL But Serendipity also makes me think of the John Cusack movie with that name that I’ve watch a million times.
I would love the Mommy’s Night In Kit
April 15, 2011
Serendipity carries a feeling of weightless abandon when she arrives, the moment is heady and encompassing. She will stay for hours while you drink from her goblets of bliss, and longer if you welcome her gently and courageously. I have found her kneeling beside me while gardening, asking the birds to match melody with the songs whispering through the trees… she has watched from the shoreline as I splashed carefree in the ocean waters, sending soft reminders to breathe and release… I do, and I feel her smile. Serendipity is a visitor that doesn’t age, is always unexpected and undeniably welcome always…
April 15, 2011
serendipity is synonymous with true prosperity for me – being in the right place at the right time, open and willing to receive.
Serendipity allows us to be taken care of, to be given just what we need, right when we need it, in perfect harmony with the universe, ourselves, and our innermost divine.
I am feeling particularly called to the book this morning – my mind has been wandering through adventures, in and out of storybook tales, and dreaming up new stories. This book would be a perfect continuation of this!
April 15, 2011
serednipity…. tumbling across words, sunshine, a lost photo, a person sharing just the right thing…. graces that fill parts of our souls that we didn’t realize were empty until that blissful moment.
I am drawn to the wolf. she is me in oh so many ways. my homeopathic remedy right now is Lac Lupinum…wolfs milk. powerful. serendipitous as I write a book about a girl and wolves. a gift.
what beautiful gifts.
in gratitude.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity is reading these beautiful words at just the right time – today – right now- my life is uncertain, a lot of comments that have been made are already in my heart. I am in transition and am so unsure but open and am listening to those whispers of those angels who have presented themselves to me – just as I was told that they would..my path is not clear and I am trying to live like the wolf , in the present, acutely aware, always alert to what may be presented to me – serendipity is my hope – and all these words and these posts bring it home to me and rest in my heart to show me that I am not alone on my path ….the wolf is an image that I need to remember in order to stay alive and be wild and free …..
April 15, 2011
Serendipity = spending time with my awesome husband and two sons! The Self Care Mommy kit sounds wonderful.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity reminds me of you, Denise. Actually, the first thing I thought when I read the word “serendipity” was of your previous post and the magical-fairy-woodland-gnome-inhabited home and grounds that came to you. THAT is the definition of “serendipity” for me — when one is open to good things, magical things and then they find you. Your job is simply to let them in.
My eyes welled up when I came to the self-care/mother’s night in from Michelle Madden Smith … I didn’t realize it until just that moment, but that kind of care and gift is something I want to make space for.
Thank you for offering this to us all, Denise, and thank you to all four of the sponsors!
April 15, 2011
finding without searching…
wolf answer*
April 15, 2011
Serendipity for me was becoming a mom when I never expected to.
I would love Self care/Mommy’s night in kit
April 15, 2011
Serendipity laughs when she finds herself looking out from the mirror. Serendipity uncovers a new gift when it’s least expected.
April 15, 2011
Serendipity- where you are is exactly where you’re supposed to be. Every moment is a gift.
I am drawn to the self care kit..asI’m on the journey to motherhood and I am sure I could use a mommy’s night in after a few months
sounds blissful!
April 16, 2011
Serendipity to me is a chance encounter, a dream, a way to seek out life.
I’m in deep need of some “self care”. As a mommy of a lively toddler, the yoga mat + eye mask (and wine!) sound heavenly!
April 16, 2011
serendipity is trusting the journey and finding your direction magnetically ?
those lovely affirmation rocks are calling my name! i think there is a special opening for them on my fireplace mantel in fact…
April 16, 2011
Serendipity means leaving yourself open to the possibilies of the magic in life. I love all of the gifts, but I would really like to share the book with my little adventure loving goddesses!
April 16, 2011
Serendipity to me means having the courage to live life by letting it flow through you. Being open to all experiences that come your way. Not having a road map for life and letting life guide you to places that are sometimes unknowingly wanted but intuitively needed.
I fee so drawn to the Call of the Wild print from Pixie Campbell. I have always loved art that combines image and text. As for the symbol of the wolf ,everything that the wolf signifies sits very close to my heart.
April 16, 2011
Free will + fate/ destiny = Serendipity. I am torn between the rocks and the self care kit. Surprise me? I’m sure it will be serendipitous. <3
April 16, 2011
Serendipity: a wondrous collision of a secret desire with a warm embrace of truth.
My loving students made me a rock garden before I moved. Each student wrote their name along side one word. Oh how I would long for those rocks as my husband and I are moving with our three little ones (all under three) to a serendipitous home. Although I am scared, each child (rock) will remind me to “love, listen, and trust” that this is where we’re all supposed to be. ~ thanks Denise.
April 16, 2011
Serendipity is probably why i’ve been living in australia for the last few years
I would love to win the self care kit, sounds amazing!
April 16, 2011
Serendipity is that popcorn popping collection of seemingly whimsical, seemingly random happenstances that occur when one is aligned with one’s own spirit and purpose and open to trusting the path that is gifted to us by a supportive universe.
I’d love the book!
Good luck with your beautiful retreat-were it not for my teaching schedule, I would be there, celebrating with all of you, in a heartbeat.
Dawn
April 16, 2011
Serendipity: when something small happens in your life that completely changes the whole feel of your life. Or when something big happens and it was exactly what you needed/
I love the wolf painting…
April 16, 2011
Serenditpity to me is that place where the physical and magical/metaphysical realms come together. The universe whispers in your ear and gives you just what you needed at just the right time in some mind-blowing way that you never would have imagined.
All these pieces are lovely, but the wolf painting really speaks to me. Thanks to all you creative ladies.
April 17, 2011
Serendipity has always been my favorite word! I feel like serendipity occurs when I am dialed in to the present moment and the universe and true magic happens. I love all the offers, but I would love the self care package or the stones.
April 17, 2011
Beautiful Giveaway thank you for the opportunity! Serendipity is my life right now. I have been making plans for a move in one direction and have found myself a different path that was the right one all along.
April 17, 2011
meeting my husband was totally serendipitous. He was supposed to meet another Anne at the bar that night, and she showed up too late. We were engaged a week later (that was over 5 years ago) and now we are married with two awesome kids! I would love to win that self care kit.
April 17, 2011
i was just sitting on my bed crying. crying because i’m stressed, overwhelmed, and frustrated. crying because everything seems to be going wrong. it’s been a series of unfortunate events. and no matter how many times i’ve reached out, i find nothing to grasp. . and it hurts so much inside to keep falling. i’ve barely picked myself up and made my way over to the window up here on the third floor, overlooking the street with the castle in view (a church down the road) and the tower from the fire station when i felt a light go on over my shoulder. it was my screensaver on my laptop. it turned itself off and the screen was open on my email page. realizing i had severalseveral to respond to, i just sat there, numb and overwhelmed. thought to myself, i need to read some calming words, where is the best place i can find that. so i came here, denise… and saw your most recent post. now i think that is serendipity.
i could not only use the self care kit, but a hug. someone to hold ME and tell me everything is going to be ok…
April 17, 2011
serendipity (or fate) is how i think my hubby and i got together… we were very different people in very different parts of life, but, serendipity brought us close together
April 17, 2011
serendipity, to me means harmony. it means that i let the world take me where it wanted me to go, and i welcomed what she brought me with open arms. and all was well without any intervention or force.
the mommy’s night kit is calling me- i have an almost 14 month babe and am reminded that i need to take care of myself in order to be the mama, partner, friend, and person i am called to be.
April 17, 2011
To me, seredipity means leaving behind my need for control over a situation while remaining in awe of the magic life has to offer.
I definitely feel drawn to pixie’s creation or the magic stones. All and each are beautiful and inspiring though!
April 17, 2011
I have found serendipity in a special group of women friends I have recently been getting to know on a deeper level.
April 17, 2011
serendipity….not the same, but coming together under one common banner
I have definitely experienced this in my life time and look for ward to more….
love and light
April 17, 2011
To me serendipity is that moment when everything just is as it’s meant to be. There is no feeling of anxiousness, fear, or questioning. It’s just one of those magical moments where life feels perfect. The Call of the Wild print speaks to me. Animal spirits have been guiding me in my journey and ever since our baby boy was born my husband has been dreaming of wolves.
April 17, 2011
unattainable.
April 18, 2011
To me serendipity is those moments when we find deep meaning and answers when we weren’t even looking, or when opportunities arise that are just . so. perfect. I find this makes it so much sweeter when little to no effort is required. The Mama kit would be very magical and very loved.
April 18, 2011
Serendipity…is fate and how things are supposed to be. I would love the stones or the Mama Kit…what a fantastic giveaway. That retreat looks MAGICAL!
April 18, 2011
Serendipity is laying on the beach of Lake Superior, with the sun and sand in my hair, the waves crashing, and the eagles flying high.
All the giveaways look awesome, I love Pixie’s work
April 18, 2011
Serendipity is fate, karma, my life, ha ha. Hope you all had a great weekend!