Emotional Assessment: Why bother?

May 26, 2016Leave a comment

At the first sign of a medical symptom, we pause to question what might be the cause. Why are we having abdominal pain? Why the reoccurring headaches? Why does it hurt when we do this or that? Quite often, after we try to diagnose the problem, we attempt to heal ourselves or decide to call a doctor to have him/her take a look. The consultation is often followed by a series of tests in order to determine what our symptoms may be trying to tell us. Granted, some of us are hypochondriacs and only make it to the doctor’s when we are running out of options; however, when we see an unusual sign, we instinctively want to find out what’s wrong. Why is that not the case for our emotional health?

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, C. Dorvil 05.16

I remember times when I walked around “functionally” depressed, hiding behind multiple masks and angry like a ticking time-bomb. It wasn’t until I was broken open by yet another unexpected major loss that I finally surrendered and was able to deal with the real issues behind my sorrow. What came from that was not only healing and freedom but also a keen awareness of the necessity to regularly and intentionally assess the state of my emotions in order to both maintain wellness and avoid once again reaching emotional distress.

So, what is causing you to be so angry, to get offended so easily? What is behind your depression [mild or acute], your fear? Emotional wellness doesn’t happen overnight but it does require that we take the first step, that we pay attention to the symptoms before it is too late.

The Wellness Initiative aims to do just that, to give you a safe and serene space to self-evaluate, to identify and address the underlying issues of your emotional state.

I hope you can make it, but if not this time, I encourage you to be intentional and to make your emotional wellness a priority.

Selah,
Christine

The Wellness Initiative
June 4, 2016
10:00am – 3:00pm
9:30am Coffee & Mingle
Fee: $50
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
151 Brookdale Road (off High Ridge Road)
Stamford, CT 06903

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.

How is it with you today?

May 6, 2016Leave a comment

Wanderlust-MariaErnst.dk If you are wired the same way I am, it is highly probable that you often find yourself going from one thing to another, from one project to the next, forging ahead like the Energizer bunny. However, while such practice may propel us to get things done, uncontrolled, it can also be detrimental, causing us to overlook the state of our emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.

So, how is it with you today? Do you find yourself feeling anxious, fearful and emotionally tired? Are you aware of the causes? How do you feel in your skin? Are you comfortable? Are you feeling exhausted, unable to walk up one flight of stairs without running out of breath? Or are you generally excited, sleeping through the night and deeply rooted in a place of joy and hope?

I believe it was Socrates who said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That is quite a strong statement! One that also points to the necessity and importance of self-awareness.

Socrates wasn’t the only one with such conviction. In the book of Luke in the New Testament, we encounter Jesus near the town of Jericho where He was approached by a blind man who cried out for mercy. Jesus paused and responded by asking him, “What do you want me to do for you?”, prompting the blind man to acknowledge his current situation and to voice out his most cherished desire.

That day, just as in other similar instances, the emotional, physical and even spiritual state of the man were fully known to Jesus who is omniscient, but I believe there was an element of self-awareness and personal involvement that needed to be made evident in the man’s healing process.

Too many of us walk around disconnected to our emotions and unconscious of the signs that are screaming out for help, all-the-while longing for a change. If you need inner peace from your anxiety, if you long for stronger health and deep-seated joy, it is imperative that you first take a conscious and honest look at yourself; that you self-evaluate and fully comprehend what it is that you want and need.

So, how is it with you? What are the burning desires of your heart?

Sola gratia,
Christine

As I Came Face to Face with Myself…

February 5, 2016August 24, 2016Leave a comment

The month of January is quite a big deal. It is the start of a new year – a symbol of new beginnings, second chances and new opportunities. It offers thirty-one days of energized hope, new resolutions and new determinations.

Many a project is dreamed up and even launched in January. Yet sadly, despite the good intentions and the deep-rooted desires to see them to term, many of those plans dissipate and fail to even make it to March.

As I am no stranger to that predicament, instead of writing yet another list of goals for this year, I turned the focus on me, trying to understand why year after year some of my decrees are left unrealized despite the legitimacy of my desires and calculated efforts. Ultimately, I came to understand that a lot of it had to do with my own blindness or unwillingness to see and accept certain things for what they were; to call the underlying causes by their names.

“Self-acceptance always precedes genuine self-surrender and self-transformation.”
― David G. Benner, The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery

We often quote, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. The truth will indeed bring freedom; however, as I have been reminded, that process of liberation requires that we awaken from our denial and allow the truth to penetrate those resistant places in our lives. We must process the truth, purpose to remain awakened to it and to deal with it — no matter how painful or risky that may seem.

“Why are you still so entwined in your little girl fears? Why do you continue to allow people to treat your soul unkindly? Why are you still so angry? Why are you hiding in the back of the room when you should be out there living out your purpose, experiencing life, giving life?”

Those were some of the questions that arose in me which I had to grapple with and prayerfully work on. As you continue on with this new year, if you haven’t already done so, sit with yourself for a while, try to formulate and answer the questions that are pertinent to your own life and situations. Don’t move forward until you determine what’s keeping you from advancing, from grabbing hold of the inner healing and joy that are inherently your birthright.

Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” — 1 Kings 19:9 (NASB)

There is no quick fix; it is not a one-day process. Sit for a while, be honest with yourself; be patient and prayerful. Ask God to reveal those areas that may be hidden to you. Be attentive to what you are experiencing [feelings, thoughts, reaction] and be brave to face and embrace the truth. Above all, with the confidence that Abba has you in the palm of His hands, seek to make peace with your findings and resolve to live beyond your annual resolutions or anyone’s expectations; purpose to live awakened to His truth, in complete freedom and in total glory of who you were created to be.

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.