Oh, my goodness. What at Moment! The members of our year-long ‘deep dive,’ The Symmetry of Self-Love: A Platinum Mastermind and Mentoring Experience, had the final group meeting Tuesday, and are now ready to move into the next phase, “Living and Loving Without Conditions: Walking Your Talk.” On Sunday, we sent you a quote from Sarah, just on of the Masterminders who is in a much happier, healthier, more connected, and more productive. 100% of the participants had tangible, sustained changes. Here is Sarah’s documentation of her experience:

Sarah’s Words:

“In the past year of the mastermind, I’ve shifted my diet, my weight, my energy level and my focus. I have been able to de-clutter my home, and my negative thinking and even my speaking, which were affecting all aspects of my life–especially my marriage. I’m more apt to take the time I need to see what about me is bothering me before I blame someone else. I’m more likely to own up to my part in a kerfuffle, and more likely to change the things I can. I’ve definitely gotten a clearer sense of what’s my own business, what I can change, and how I can take better care of myself.

When I began, my initial goal was clear— to avoid the fifth step in my 12 step work. I couldn’t stomach the humiliation and shame that I imagined would result. I grew up going to confession, admitting my wrongs to a priest. I felt like I could diminish my fears of feeling negatively about myself if I had already worked through my blockages on my own.

Truthfully, I thought I could somehow eliminate the need for confession and completing the steps. What happened though, over the course of this year with Shawn, was that I completed my “housecleaning steps” with grace AND learned how to honor my fears. I also understand how to learn from them too! I’ve found that I am more accepting of myself, my situations and others in relationships. I do not care to control others as much— being free to let them be in their business as I tend to my own.

I learned how to question my thinking, uncovering my own innocent motives and forgiving myself for self-deprecation and self-hatred. I can root out the causes of my discontent and let the emotions flow in their own time. I am free to sit with emotions, and my interpretations of them, in a much more compassionate way, taking the time that I need to see clearly. I have found a better way to hold myself, in alignment with my highest values and in a loving way.

I really wanted these outcomes of being part of Shawn’s Mastermind and Mentoring experience. And yet I knew I couldn’t pay the asking price for the Group (extremely reasonable in light of the life-shifts I received in return), Shawn was willing to work out a partial barter with me that went like this: As I recovered enough of my health, I would offer the value that she saw I I had to offer to her in her book-writing process.

She believed in me even when I didn’t yet believe in myself. As a result of my growing contribution, I have been able to recollect and reconnect with my skill set, so long out of practice. As Shawn and I worked closely together on her book draft and other projects, I discovered that I can offer high value strategic consulting, substantive editing, content editing, content development, copy editing and simple proofreading. I started to celebrate my newly rekindled competence and energy, even posting on FB one day, “I feel ACCOMPLISHED!”

My work with Shawn has been the deepest, over a prolonged time than with any other coach. When I started working with her I was sleeping in any sniping of spare time when I was not taking care of my kids, and I was barely able to show up for calls when I first started in Shawn’s group; in fact, I was very good at hiding or making myself practically invisible.

After a nervous breakdown in 2006, deeply ingrained feelings of ineptitude and being “permanently damaged” decimated most of my functioning. I am happy to report those feelings have been gradually and undoubtedly, subsiding. So too have the self-pity and “laziness” tracks that played on repeat. That was a major part of my need for coaching. I really felt like I needed to recuperate my sense of functioning, my ability to show up for calls, do work and be accountable.

The group of women that I shared the mastermind with all supported me in showing up, being my best and held the space for me to get down with whatever was bothering me. Having a community of women who are all concentrated on their own inquiries really created space for deep trust and warm, fun connection. I appreciate that this group of people all are willing to look at their own part in things and they are all willing to do what it takes to come home to themselves.

At the heart of the work is questioning thoughts and beliefs that are painful because we believe them. What I have now, that I didn’t have before, is a predictable way to explore my thoughts, my reactions and my strong feelings associated with them, in a way where I come out “ok.” I often found self- hatred, self-criticism, self-condemnation and self-worth issues at the bottom of my own work. I learned how I could be compassionate, loving, forgiving and accepting of myself.

The multi-faceted ways Shawn creatively structured our experiential learning and opportunities for real and highly productive intimacy with each other is rare, even among all the events and modalities I have so diligently sought out over the years. I am so grateful. The relief and restored sense of safety from being in my own head, that I gained this past year was priceless.

Thank you, Shawn and women of the Mastermind!”

This week is enrollment period for the next Platinum Mastermind. Click here to learn more and explore this opportunity with Shawn. Feeling better is easier than you think.

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