Beverly

I was born illegitimate as the result of date rape, I am told. When I was born there was a state law that out of wedlock babies must have ILLEGITIMATE stamped on their birth certificates. Marked second class from birth, I carried that feeling through most of my life. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Beverly’s story.}

Celia

During my time away at college I finally began coming to terms with all the feelings I was having. I finally realized I was gay. It was very hard for me because I knew my church and many Christian churches look at this a choice and even worse a sin. I felt isolated and angry at organized religion, God, Jesus.It felt like the ultimate form of betrayal to be created a certain way by God only to have God’s own people call you a sinner. I can remember from an early age the shame I felt from feeling different and never feeling safe to share my feelings. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Celia’s story.}

Karen

I was one of five children. There are three of us now living. My younger brother had been shot in the head at the age of twenty-two years old in 1979 just a few years after my mother died. My sister had a drug and alcohol problem and lived with an alcoholic who shot her in the head and killed her after she had left him to live with a female that she had been involved with. My youngest sister was diagnosed as chronic schizophrenic and I had married a drug-addicted person and lived in that situation for fourteen years before finding the courage to leave. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Karen’s story.}

Inez

My 35 year old sister Ellen was rushed to the hospital while 3 heart specialists and her husband stood by helplessly and watched her die. Not only did I lose my dear sister but also the loving dependable care of my baby. Three weeks later my beautiful 18 month old baby girl was to drown under a walking bridge that broke while my younger sister was pushing her in a buggy on the way to the park! I was devastated. I was convinced more than ever before that my mother was right. I WAS A TOTAL FAILURE. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Inez’s story.}

Ama

The Spiritual Mastery program has helped me to see through a new set of lenses. For the last year and a half, it has been my lifeline.. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Ama’s story.}

Raimonda

In the past, I kept setting myself up for failure. I had great visions, but I was not willing to take the little steps to move forward. My pattern was to shoot for the stars and, as a result, I would keep failing and that would just reinforce my feelings of unworthiness and my desperate need for approval.   Without patience and perseverance, I would jump from one project to another. How could I succeed?  Now with the support I have received from Paul and the community I am learning to take small steps, to be gentle with myself, to practice patience, and to stay focused on goals.      Before, I was going crazy biting my own tail! Now, I am experiencing many small victories. And my confidence in myself is building. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Raimonda’s story.}

Aurora

My husband died suddenly in bed beside me when he was only 33. He was my best friend. He was my business partner. He was the father of our 4-year-old son. That dark night my life changed forever. My hopes and dreams for the future were shattered.
     I was devastated. I felt abandoned. I felt deep, raw grief—and anger—that our innocent 4-year-old son would grow up without his father to guide and protect him.
     I felt that my own heavenly Father had failed to guide and protect me. I felt abandoned and punished by God. I thought that I must be a horrible person to deserve such a cruel fate. I cried out in agony in the pages of my diary. My heart was broken! ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Aurora’s story.}

Kat

Recently I have communicated to my husband about the possible outcomes for our future. I have said to him "Right now I am stepping up to be who I was created to be. Once the kids are gone, what is it we share? What is it we have in common? How will we make a difference on this planet? "
   We haven't answered these questions yet. But the Mastery program has given me the support I needed to speak my truth to my husband. We have used the Affinity Process to communicate and I feel that I have been profoundly heard. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Kat’s story.}

Amy

My mother had taught me to "just be happy", regardless of the pain I experienced... Later my husband unknowingly taught me to "not rock the boat", to not bother him with my hurt or angry feelings,  and to not laugh too loudly or talk too much.  My sense of well-being was tangled in his behavior toward me, and I spent many, many hours trying to orchestrate a way to connect with him, only to fail. My husband became discouraged and felt unsupported in our marriage. He became involved in a complicated relationship with another woman and, after 19 years of marriage, he moved out of our home. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Amy’s story.}

Joyce

It had been such a long time since I had spoken my truth, or felt that it even mattered..... As I listened to the participants tell their stories, I discovered how every much alike we all are, how we all have had our pain and hardships in one way or another and that we were all there to rediscover and embrace our true self. The sense of belonging and unity within the group eventually gave me the courage to open up and speak. I spoke about my recent divorce and how I was a victim. Once I started talking, things that I had not spoken or told anyone about just seemed to come from a place inside of me that I did not know even existed. I discovered it was the real me talking, the one who I had denied for so long that it took me a while to recognize and embrace her. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Joyce’s story.}

Rhonda

Eight years ago, my second husband Don whom I had known for less than 2 years died of lung cancer. For the third time in my life, a significant man in my life had “left” me. First, my father left me when I was seven-years-old. Later a 14 year marriage ended in divorce. And now…I was alone again and the gaping hole I had attempted to fill with “love outside myself” – and food—felt deeper than ever. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Rhonda’s story.}

Joanne

As a young girl growing up in a strict Catholic household I always felt the need to be “the good girl”.  I was very hard on myself when I perceived that I didn’t live up to the expectations of my parents, teachers, friends and others. I was striving desperately to please. That desire later kept me in a marriage for much longer than was comfortable to me.  At the age of 29 I rebelled against all by falling in love with a dear friend. Our friendship had developed over 7 years and then one day it changed from platonic to sexual. Two months into the affair I discovered I was pregnant. My first reaction was shock, then quickly joy and then fear. I had had four prior miscarriages and had decided not to try any more because the emotional distress and pain of loss was just too much. Now I was pregnant and I bonded with the life inside of me immediately. Somehow I knew this child would stick.  ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Joanne’s  story.}

Nsia

  For as long as I can remember I have been in a leadership position. I was the one who motivated others and accomplished the goals I set for myself. I was the constant giver, seldom the receiver. I didn’t know how to receive and letting go was a foreign concept to me. 
     When you are ready for the lesson, it comes.... In 2001, my house of 28 years burned down and 85% of my worldly goods were lost. Two years later,  my mother, the source of my unconditional earthly love, transitioned unexpectedly. My father had died eighteen years earlier, so  I felt deserted and alone. In dealing with these losses, I began to realize that I had to let go of old concepts, support systems, and physical forms to be open to my future. ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Nsia’s story.}

Beatriz

Immersed in this safe space, supported by the teachings and the daily practices, inspired by the honesty and vulnerability of these wonderful people (mostly women) that I barely knew at the time, and encouraged by Paul's gentle and loving guidance, I found the courage to look within - and  eventually, to share myself... A part of me did not want to go there, afraid of what I might find, but I decided to do it anyway. It was not an easy or comfortable process, as I had to dig very deep through layers of unexpressed emotions that over time had turned into hard walls of protection.  And then, one day, touched by Grace, underneath all the sorrow, disappointment, frustration, anger, shame, sadness and fear, I was able to find...myself! ^{Click here or on the photo to read more of Beatriz’s story and learn abou the dances she will be sharing with us..}