Audacious Transformation

At the beginning of December, I embarked on the most audacious adventure I’ve had so far. The Cave Retreat. A treat to myself, in this significant year of 2022.?A big YES to ME, that I made at the beginning of the year. And a No to a newsletter in No-vember.

The Cave Retreat gathered a group of audacious people who travelled to a random place in Mexico, to claim their dreams and take responsibility for their thoughts, words, and actions.

There are no words to describe this experience, but if there was one word, it would be Impeccable. The level of attention, love, effort, energy, devotion & mastery of everyone involved, was over and beyond the (un)imaginable.

We all transformed, inspired by the monarch butterflies, who flew around 3,000 miles from Canada to spend the coldest months of the year in the warmer lands of Mexico. And turning Mexican forests into a wonder nature, every fall.?

Witnessing the monarch butterfly migration in Mexico should be on every nature-lover's bucket list. The monarch butterfly has the longest migration trajectory of any insect, and their journey is a wonder in itself. ?Every November, the forest located between the Mexican states of Michoacan, and Estado de Mexico is covered in fluttering orange, black, and white wonders.

And during this retreat, I was guided by the Hummingbird Spirit, waiting for me in my room, as a gift card. ?And later, in the workshops, through more messages. And then again, in flesh, singing for us, walking up the mountain, on the way to the monarch butterfly sanctuary. ?And on our last day, I spotted a hummingbird singing goodbye under the Morning Tree.?Hummingbirds can fly like no other birds on Earth. Their wings can beat up to 200 times per second, allowing them to hover, fly backwards and even fly upside down. The hummingbird message is about living fully in the present moment. Because that’s the only time and place where life is possible!

When you are guided by your hummingbird spirit, you need to be in 100% alignment with your environment and the company you keep. No obligation to hang around, even for a split second, anywhere other than where you really want to be. ?I was lucky to be there and BE it.

What have I learned?

I've learned to track my energy. ?And not disperse it. We don’t manage time. We manage our energy. ?I’ve learned that when we are in full alignment with what we think, say, and do, magic happens.?I’ve learned that there is no freedom, until you know yourself. And once you know yourself, you can open your heart to infinite possibilities. ?And like a hummingbird, enjoy each moment to the fullest.?And remember to remember.

2022 was a year of incredible growth for me. For my team. And for my clients. ?It was a year of giving. I committed to 50 good deeds. From calling an old friend in need, to sponsoring a charity gala. And I completed my last deed of the year. Paying it forward with Elev-Eight https://www.elev-eight.org. The perfect Secret Santa gift. Donating to one of their eight causes and elevating someone’s life.

I teach my clients to increase their confidence, by celebrating their small and big achievements regularly. Here is what I’m celebrating in 2022:

1.?????Signing up to my 3rd year in 4PC. A community of high-level leaders and coaches, who inspire me and stretch me. I’ve learned that we become the average of the five people we spend most time with. 4PC have stretched me to levels I never thought possible.

2.?????Signing my book deal with an audacious and reputable publisher. “The Audacity Spectrum” is due to be published in spring 2024. I’ve learned that the best things happen to people who wait. A skill I’m still learning.

3.?????My son started University in September 2022. He has been adapting and adjusting to his new independent life in miraculous ways. An impossible dream a few years ago. I’ve learned to never stop believing in self and others, no matter what life throws at you.

4.?????Our team has expanded, with Sylvia joining us in early 2022, bringing balance and harmony to the mix. Together, we have co-created some wonderful development programmes & retreats. We launched Artemis, a new open leadership programme, and we are celebrating eleven groups of Inspiring Women graduating our programmes. I’ve learned that if you want to go fast, you go alone. If you want to go far, you go together.

5.?????Transylvanian Inn, my hotel overseeing Dracula Castle, has hosted some amazing leadership and spiritual retreats in 2022, creating some ground breaking transformation for those attending them. Our third Audacious Leaders Retreat will take place on 18-21 May 2023. I’ve learned that when we are aligned, things happen FOR us and not to us.

6.?????Celebrating a significant birthday with my team in Tenerife, whilst celebrating our clients’ significant growth, promotions, new jobs, new babies, sustainable and green projects and the courage to say Yes to opportunities and turn dreams into reality.

7.???? Treating myself to this amazing learning and growing experience in Mexico. I’ve learned that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

And my one lesson for 2022? Dream big and you will live big. ?Not dreaming big enough is bad for us. We all have the capacity to exceed our own barriers, if we so choose. I’ve learned that my audacious intentions at the beginning of the year, were not audacious enough.

My intention for 2023 is to continue to grow our community of audacious humans and leaders, who learn to know themselves, connect at a deeper level and lift each other up. And they increase their Ripple of Impact, spreading their love and impact in the world.

What audacious intentions are you setting for 2023?

Wishing you a holiday season that will fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter!?

Credit for the beautiful photographs go to fellow Caveman @Glenn Wainman.