Nature’s Healing Touch…

May 20, 2016Leave a comment

Yesterday was the culmination of a rather heavy week — one marked by disbelief, tears and sadness. There were some moments of relief through the recounting of sweet memories, communal support and eternal hope; and yet there were a myriad of persistent internal questions. After gathering as a community to bid farewell to a sweet little boy who left us too soon, I felt the warning tug to disconnect and quiet down. So, I grabbed my camera and headed down to the Bartlett arboretum for some nature therapy. The sun was a bit timid but somehow that was just perfect as I sought to lose myself on the trails and around the property; staying outside of my head and allowing the birds’ songs, whistling creek, the colors and fragrances to feed my soul. Following are some of those moments that brought me to a halt and which I attempted to capture…

I did stop to smell these babies…so fragrant!

My favorite flowers – Lily of the Valley

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. … There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
—Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

All photos are taken by Christine Dorvil and cannot be reproduced without permission.

SABĂTICA FOCUS ON: Barbara Boland, Master Gardener

May 9, 2016May 11, 2016Leave a comment

Five years ago I returned to the East Coast from the Hollywood Hills after living there for 20 years.

Yes, the climate is very different in California and the gardening is without truly defined seasons. But as a gardener, I truly missed the drama of seasonal changes as they occur here. Here one becomes more aware of the passage of time. Birdsong in spring feeds my soul.

I have photographed extensively in the Southwest – ancient Native American sites such as Canyon de Chelly, and Chaco Canyon – as well as in Italy in the ruins of the Villa dei Misterie in Pompeii.

The mystery in places such as these elude analytical thinking. They are history, but become alive on some level in my poetic mind as I photograph, explore and research.

As as florist, I wonder – what is it of flowers that provides an aesthetic protection? The elegance of garden roses emitting their fragrance of ’real’ roses. The richness of an armful of foraged flowering branches or wildflowers. The simplicity of a flower floating on water. Protection and delight as a part of our lives.

Barbara Boland
Certified Advanced Master Gardener, UConn 2015
M.A. / NYU – Photography
Instagram : barbarabolandflowers

We are excited and honored to have Barbara Boland join us on June 4th as we kick-off the Wellness Initiative at the Bartlett Arboretum where she will not only stimulate our creativity with her workshop on floral arrangement but also help us understand how flowers can affect our mood and overall wellness. An experience not to be missed!

Awakening to Majestic Wonder…

November 2, 2015Leave a comment

While driving on the Merritt/Route 15 the other day, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beautiful tapestry that was all around me. The parkway was lined up with those tall, majestic, colorful trees – of different sizes, shapes and shades of green, yellow, red, orange. I couldn’t help but be grateful for such abundance of beauty and soul remedy — available to me, to us at the blink of an eye and free of charge or the need to wait in line. At some point, I wanted to stop the car, to stop time and stand still – to take it all in and to capture it in a picture. My heart was overtaken by God’s unmatched provision for our innate and deepest longing for beauty, peace and wonder.

Photo: MassDrive

I was reminded of King David’s amazement when he uttered, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands;” and of Paul who wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…”

So friends, as you walk or drive around, be awakened to God’s marvelous gifts to you and which are all around. Turn every corner with a sense of wonder. Stop, pay attention to the little things. Take it all in. Allow the beautiful fall colors to tickle your soul and to remind you that life is now – in the whistle of the falling leaves, in the brisk morning air, in this very moment.

Sola gratia,
Christine

Post Sabătica Re-entry…

September 14, 2015September 14, 2015Leave a comment

I returned home from Sabătica’s inaugural retreat with a totally refined understanding of what “Sabătica” is about and a deeper personal longing for more of Abba. I am still downloading, processing and waiting for the words to come, to possibly articulate the overwhelming infilling and various lessons learned, both as a director and a participant.

Yet, in the meantime, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone who attended, who contributed her/his time, resources, expertise and who made our inaugural retreat a wellspring of refreshing water.

Saturday Crew Minus Five From Friday

Thank you to every soul sister who came from near and far, who helped create a welcoming space for camaraderie, laughter, tears, prayers, impartation, fun, personal discoveries and life giving memories.

Thank you to our teachers, Vernice Holmes, Dorota Matys and Sarina Fiorita, who not only taught from their expertise and hearts but also facilitated turning Sabătica into a tribe of connected souls.

Friday night’s impromptu post-meditation gathering in the hallway

Thank you to our creatively invisible, fun and talented photographers, Mark Helenese and Eddie Pierre who worked tirelessly to capture our retreat.

Thank you to the entire team at Dolce who were so efficient, gracious and patient from planning to execution and who provided a beautiful space for us to gather and renew.

Sabătica’s Art Gallery

Last and certainly not least, thank you to Abba, my not-so-silent partner who not only planted the seed for Sabătica but also brought the dream to life and continue to unfold the blueprint.

From the Aromatherapy Session

Today, as I try to wrap my mind around what occurred this weekend, I am at peace, joyful and excited. My heart is filled to the brim with the feedback, kind words and well wishes that have been directed my way and which are forever engraved in my soul.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Until next time, Selah!
Christine

kind words from this weekend

Dorota Matys: Thank you for including me in your event Christine, by now I hope you know that you did a phenomenal job, and that you are onto something really grand!!!
I Love your excellence and I’m so Proud of you! You’ve created an event that can bring balance and healing to so many, don’t even think of not doing this again…

Vernice Holmes: Thank You Christine Dorvil for a memorable, significant and powerful weekend at the launch of your dream “Sabatica” To the blowing of the Shofar to the fun, laughter & Joy in God’s Presence to the walk in nature! I loved every moment! Happy New Year! Love you

Cassandra Dais: Hi Christine, Just wanted to say that Friday was truly a blessing, good company (1st and foremost the Holy Spirit), good food, good time! I know that Saturday was equally if not more amazing. Thank you for all your hard work, time, energy all that you poured into this weekend. With God all things are possible. XOXO Cass

Stay tuned for our “Testimonial” page and for all the beautiful pictures from our photographers.

Soul in Search of Lightness..

August 19, 2015August 23, 2015Leave a comment

Notwithstanding our Adamic nature, we enter the world pure, light, as a blank canvas. Yet, somewhere along the way, we start to amass and hold on to words, gazes, feelings, habits, disappointments, worries, broken dreams, broken hearts – things that weigh heavily on our souls; burdens that can keep us crippled and forever lost, if not deposed of.

Those weights, without a doubt, may require some heavy lifting – counseling, rehabilitation, even major life alteration. However, despite the pedigree, well-regarded credentials or even methods from which we seek help, nothing substantial or lasting will occur without a firm resolution for change and a total return to the source, our Creator.

More often than not, those heavy weights become obstacles that keep us from the relief and renewal we need. But not to despair, for the divine umbilical cord that ties us to God is never cut. It may not always seem visible to the natural eyes but it is there; we only have to find our way back home, back to our point of origin.

God created each and every one of us with our own unique identifiers and pathways to His loving arms. He has given us His Spirit and has endowed us with the mental and spiritual acuity, authority and the ability to desire and affect change in our lives.

God is a caring and restoring God who has granted to us everything pertaining to life and who has placed us in a beautifully crafted world, filled with immediate remedy for our mind, body and soul; if only we would, even for awhile, stop running, stop hiding, stop procrastinating.

For sure, there are times when spiritual guidance, counseling and deliverance are essential; yet, their pursuit does not negate our responsibility or eradicate the powerful force that resides in us and with which we ought to grab hold of our divine destiny, speak to our souls like King David did, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” and allow Abba to care and nurture our deepest wounds and fears, just like He did for Elisha.

Get up! Stand still for awhile! Observe the marvelous beauty and remedy that are all around you! Surrender! Find your way back to the pure, light, blank canvas. For His invitation still stands; like the one He offered in Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Again in Mark, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” and in Isaiah, “…only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength…”

Come, stop, listen, relish, restore to lightness…this is Sabătica and the invitation still stands!