Glamping Retreat

Last weekend for my birthday I drove an hour north of Dallas by myself and went on a women's camping retreat. I was invited by a beautiful soul that I had never met in person, but have interacted with on several occasions for the launch team. At first, I struggled with the idea of did I want to go alone, or did I want to invite a friend to go with me. I struggled back and forth for awhile and then I decided I needed to do this alone. I needed to do something I have never tried before and totally out of my comfort zone, so alone it was. I was so afraid because camping isn't really my thing, its more of Myon's jam.  I had no idea how to put up a tent or anything. So the night before we had a tent walk through on how to put up my tent properly. Myon also purchase a few extra several tools.

Friday gets here I have my day planned and what time I am leaving so I can make it before dark. Something came up Friday morning so the time I was supposed to be leaving work was the time I arrived at work. Now I have to leave work later which won't put me in Dallas until well after dark. Ya'll already know anxiety started. So I put in the Facebook group "hey guys what is the latest time everybody is going to get there because if I am going to be the last one there I will just spend the night in Dallas and come early in the morning?" A lady replied back that they had plenty of helpers and lights no matter how late. So I decided ok I am trying going to go all the way in.

I get there about 11:15 pm but it is pitch black! I have a fear of lakes because our childhood friend drowned when I was a kid, therefore I don't do lakes like that. My cell service is out. I begin to panic I am a black female born and raised in Texas. I know this is totally Trump country right. As my panic sets, a truck is passing me... I have two choices ask this stranger for help or go back as far as my cell gets service? My mind immediately goes to you will not be lynched out here go back to where you get service! So I politely turn my car around. I text my new internet friend! She comes out and gets me! I rolled my window down and I think she saw sheer panic on my face so she asked was I ok? I am now! When I pull up and I immediately relax! I get offers to help me pitch the tent and Shannan is like nah girl just come stay in the cabin with a few of my friends you can put the tent up tomorrow if you like. Cool. I had THE BEST TIME!! As I walked in, karaoke was coming to an end, but I did get a good glass of wine. I got to meet everyone.

The next day we wake up and another young lady who also came by herself went to go get coffee. There was devotion going on. I didn't get to hear the whole thing, but what I did hear was excellent. Then there was yoga by the lake!! I feel like every woman who has any kind of anxiety needs to do yoga by the lake. It was cold, but I am a sucker for a nice sky. God talks to me through the clouds. The peace I had on that patch of grass and the open sky was something I hadn't felt in a long time. Then we had break out sessions. Brandy was excellent. She talked about getting an idea journal. A journal strictly for writing your ideas down in. This glamping retreat was written at 3 am in her idea journal. We had another session that was cool too. This retreat was everything that I needed and more. I had some excellent conversations. I had a conversation with a white mom about her mix daughter and black lives matter movement. I got a chance to talk about things I have to tell my children about being black in America. I got a chance to try aerial yoga, and got to sit in front of my first bonfire! I know I am from Tyler, TX I should be very familiar with bonfires I just never went to one.

When I left on Sunday my heart was so full! I never had an awkward moment, or felt like I came by myself. I can honestly say I interacted with everyone women there; even if it was just for a small amount of time. There were about 30 women there and I am sure 10 of them are now my life long friends! My internet friend is now "tha homie for life!!"

I want to encourage you to do something that you never would have done before. You know how you try something, and be like that was cool but I would never try it again? This was totally NOT that experience! I totally would do this again. Matter of fact I am planning to attend the next one in Tennessee! Even if you try and it totally sucks at least you can say you tried it!

One Love, D'Que