Chris
This retreat was exactly what I needed to affirm I'm going in the right direction down the road of healing and growing. I wasn't sure at first when I signed up. Anyone who knows me knows therapy, let alone group therapy, wouldn't be my thing but I took a chance and I'm happy I took that unknown step out of my comfort zone. I needed this more than I knew. I showed up the first morning and to my surprise an ol army brother was there for this journey too. There ended up being three of us combat engineer veterans. What's the chances eh?!
I tried surfing for the first time, which I can say I'll be doing more of. Something about the power, energy, and beauty of the ocean, hearing that roar of the wave coming closer then taking you for a ride. I was introduced to sound therapy, which I was able to shut my mind off and take it all in. We did some meditation and many other things!
I figured if I'm here I'm taking full advantage of this and I did. For the first time in my life I allowed myself to be vulnerable. The energy of the group made it that much easier. No one judged, we were all there for the same purpose and that was to heal, to grow, to listen, to learn, to help each other and to connect. I'll be looking forward to many more of these!
So many ways you can relate surfing to life, "don't worry if you miss that one big wave you think is perfect, it wasn't perfect for you, be patient and your perfect wave will come along, pick you up and you will ride that wave to where you need to go.