Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

We have openings at our July 24-26 Fly Fishing Retreat for Women Battling/Surviving Cancer! Help get the word out about our retreat! It will take place at Gates Au Sable Lodge in Grayling, MI. Cost is only $25 (yes, only twenty-five dollars) and includes lodging, all food, beverages, snacks, instructions, all equipment, fishing guides and more. For more information visit www.FishOn.org, phone 616-855-4017 or email info@FishOn.org. Please pass the info along!

I heard a conversation the other day on Oprah (yes I TiVo her).  A therapist asked the patient if she ever cried.  The patient state that she didn’t really cry/sob – she’d try to tough it out and be stoic for her family, friends, others, and that she didn’t want to be a burden.  She added that she always wanted others to believe she was OK.

Her answers sound like so many of us in the world.

With that the therapist said, “Do you know that most people only cry when they feel safe and comforted?”  That comment hit home for me – especially when it comes to volunteering and participating at the fly fishing wellness retreats.  One of the goals shared with the volunteers is that each of our participants must feel safe.  Another is that they depart the retreat with a “higher than a kite” feeling – that they are treated as royalty – queens, and that they’ve enjoyed themselves so much they don’t want to go home.   We never fail to achieve these goals.  At the end of each retreat, there are hugs, smiles, laughter and tears.  Tears of new found hope, renewal, acknowledgment of achievement, of trust in themselves and the world, of enlightenment and comfort.

In looking at it now, I believe those tears come to fruition from the community of loving care, support and safety we create – not just from the fly fishing.  And you know what?  It is really cool to be part of it, to watch it manifest, to feel the energy.

Come share your gifts with Reeling & Healing Midwest.  Consider volunteering.  Or share our programs with a woman battling or surviving cancer and tell them to attend.  No matter what, you have an awesome experience.

Fish On!

Posted by a participant:  “People who pray for miracles usually don’t get miracles, but people who pray for courage, for strength to bear the unbearable, for the grace to remember what they left instead of what they have lost, very often find their prayers answered.  They discover that they have more strength, more courage than they ever knew themselves to have.  Where did they get it? I would like to think their prayers helped them find that strength.”  A quote by Harold Kushner.

With Reeling & Healing Midwest and everything in fishing I say Fish On!

Peace before us,

Peace after us,

Peace under our feet,

Peace within us,

Peace over us,

Let all around us

Be peace.

Reeling & Healing Midwest is heading to Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, MI from January 11-13, 2008 for our Third Annual Winter Retreat.

The “Pamper Your Inner Vixen” retreat will feature a guest speaker, Barb Badolati, from Alive & Well, spa treatments from The Looking Glass Spa, an interactive cooking class with Whole Foods Chef and Food & Lifestyle Counselor, Nancy Schwalm, African healing drumming with Rhythmic Adventures of Traverse City, MI, and a variety of outdoor and indoor activities to choose from.

It may be too cold to fly fish, but its always a good time to renew your spirit and hope and start the new year with a little pampering and fun. The plus is the camaraderie and support from new friends too.

Interested? We have a couple more openings available. Check out
our announcement and registration form for more details or phone 616-855-4017.