Welcome to The Seasoned Path

Welcome to The Seasoned Path. In each newsletter I will share some of my musings along the path as well as inspirations gained from those who have traveled this way before me. My hope is to tickle your curiosity, heighten your awareness, and encourage you to become an environmentalist for your heart.

In this Issue:

Quote of the Month
The Importance of Women's Friendships
Readings for the Journey
Upcoming events: Self Care for the Care Givers Retreat (3 days),
     The Healing Power of Trees (1 day), Embracing Life's Changing Patterns (6 days) 

Quote of the Month

One of the greatest titles we can have is "old friend". We never appreciate how important old
friends are until we are older. The problem is we need to start our old friendships when we are
young. We then have to nurture and grow those friendships over our middle age when a busy life and changing geographies can cause us to neglect those friends. Today is the day to invest in those people we hope will call us 'old friend" in the years to come.” Grant Fairley

The Importance of Women's Friendships

The special bond found in female friendships has proven to have tremendous benefits, psychologically, physically, and spiritually.   Now is the perfect time to reinforce and celebrate those relationships. Sunday, September 19th is the 10th National Women’s Friendship Day. This celebration has been endorsed by the governors of thirty-four states, and has become so popular that now the entire month of September has been declared the National Women’s Friendship Month!

Why are women’s friendships so important that they warrant national recognition? In recent years, research has shown that friendships between women have a wide range of health benefits that have widespread socio-economic repercussions. Through their friendships women build nurturing, emotionally-fulfilling bonds that serve as highly effective support systems. Within these relationships, women gain self esteem and validation. They find support in times of trouble and safe avenues for expressing their feelings and thoughts. A circle of women creates a sacred space that allows each to be more deeply present and proactive in their lives. In general, women with close female friends experience greater happiness and fulfillment.

These emotional benefits have direct physiological effects. A landmark UCLA study found that in times of stress, when men normally respond with a “fight or flight” reflex, women have an additional choice in their behavioral repertoire, to “tend and befriend.” They pull together to support and nurture one another. This behavior releases extra oxytocin, a chemical that counters stress and produces a calming effect. Women connecting with women can actually assist in lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. A Harvard Medical School Nurse’s Health Study further shows that because stress also wreaks havoc on blood glucose levels, healing, bone density and the aging process, women’s friendships can help counteract all these detrimental effects of stress as well. Conversely, researchers also concluded that NOT having close friends is as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight.

Other studies suggest that an older woman's risk of dying from heart disease may be linked to the number of family and social relationships she has. In one study among 503 women with symptoms of coronary artery disease, those with few personal contacts were more than twice as likely to die over the next two to four years as women with more social ties. When the researchers also looked at how women coped with widowhood, they found that those who had a close confidante were more likely to survive the experience without suffering new and lasting physical ailments or permanent loss of vitality.
Finally, science is confirming what we knew all along! Our girlfriends are essential to our well being, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So, take the time during this National Women’s Friendship Month to acknowledge and enhance all your wonderful friendships. There are all sorts of ways to celebrate. You can reconnect with a friend over lunch or plan a girl’s night out or even a weekend getaway. You can take part in a women’s health fair, or a seminar on an issue important to women, or organize a clothing drive for needy women. You can expand your circle of women friends by going on a women’s retreat or join a women’s group like The Transitions Network which is a national organization for women over fifty. Look in you local papers to see what special activities are going on to commemorate this month.  Commit to doing something to strengthen these important relationships. Embrace your sisterhood!

Readings for the Journey

The Best of Friends: Two Women, Two Continents, and One Enduring Friendship, by Sara James and Ginger Mauney

Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend, by Irene S. Levine, PhD.

Steel Magnolias, the movie!

Upcoming Events

SELF CARE FOR THE CARE GIVERS: An Autumn Celebration of Women
(Sept 20-22, 2009) Enjoy an extended weekend in the country to renew, revitalize and reconnect with your feminine power. Gather with like minded women for 2 nights and 3 days of inspiring workshops, quiet reflection, sharing and laughter. Location: Graystones Preserve in the Poconos (cozy, clean cabins with fireplace, living room, kitchen, and double occupancy bedrooms). Investment: $375, includes lodging, food, and retreat activities. Reserve your spot now with a $100 deposit. Full payment due by August 20th.

THE WISE WOMEN'S CAFÉ: (Ongoing,3rd Wednesday of each month, 7-8:30 pm EST) Inspiring evenings of discussion and personal exploration focusing on self awareness, intention, and growth. Where: At the home of Karin Marcus in Narberth, PA. Your Investment: $80 for four evenings: includes all materials and café delights.

THE HEALING POWER OF TREES: (Thursday, Nov. 5, 10:00-3:00, rain date Nov. 6th)
Enjoy a day of renewal and reflection at Morris Arboretum surrounded by the glorious fall foliage. Get to know the trees up close and personal, and embrace their autumn lesson of letting go.
Your Investment: $50, includes entrance fee and retreat materials.

EMBRACING LIFE’S CHANGING PATTERNS: A Woman’s Retreat to Nurture the Body, Mind and Spirit (March 3-9, 2010)
Join us for 6 days of renewal, reflection, and adventure at Estate Concordia on St. John Island in the Caribbean. East meets West in this unique program with Linda Marrical teaching self acupressure, Chi Kung movement, and breath work, and Karin Marcus coaching on the healing qualities, accessing one's innate wisdom, and creating a personal vision. Your Investment: $1,750 includes all retreat activities, plus 6 days of lodging in spacious double occupancy Eco-tents with kitchenette and modern conveniences. Reserve your spot now with a $250 deposit.

CUSTOMIZED RETREATS: Are you looking for a retreat for your co-workers, a community group, or close friends? Or do you need to get away by yourself to gain clarity on an issue? We work with individuals and groups, designing custom retreats that focus on specific needs, whether it is marking a transition, learning to cope with change, or needing some extreme self-care

The Small Print

To schedule a complimentary 30 minute coaching phone session, email me at Karin@SteppingOutCoaching.com or call 610-667-5247

Visit my website for more coaching info www.SteppingOutCoaching.com

A Note About My Recommendations
I provide links in this newsletter to products and services I am offering or I have personally found valuable. If you are ever disappointed with one of these recommendations, please let them and me know. If they don't make it right, I will.

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