From Cobwebs to Clarity

Is there something you WANT in your life but have no idea how you will ever get there?  Maybe you create all kinds of excuses for yourself: I don’t have the time! I don’t have the money!  I can’t do it!  Are you ready to extricate yourself from those sticky cobwebs holding you back and finally find the path that leads you closer to where you want to be?

In early January I participated in a 2 ½ day workshop called “Living Aligned”, facilitated by Linda Vanderlee, founder and principal of Rendezvous Rupert.  This workshop was an excellent way for me to pull those cobwebs off of me and to realize that I was the one who put the cobwebs there in the first place!

Located in Rupert, Quebec, about 40 minutes north of Ottawa/Gatineau, Linda has created a retreat that is accessible and yet gives you a reprieve from the daily grind.  She bought the land 15 years ago and renovated the barn to be the space it is today: magical yet functional.  It is relaxing, rustic and welcoming to people who are searching.  In fact, once you take your first step into Rendezvous Rupert, it is hard to imagine being anywhere else for this weekend of relaxation and self-reflection that was about to take place.

Linda’s “Living Aligned” workshop includes group discussions, personal reflection, writing, some art play, physical movement and, for many, some AHA! Moments.  I had several throughout the weekend—something I did not expect.  In fact, going into the workshop I was unsure as to what to expect.  But after the first hour late Friday afternoon, I was already hooked.  Perhaps it was Linda’s dynamic and infectious personality; maybe it was the way I was so easily inspired by all of the other participants.  One thing is for sure, though—I was open to possibilities speaking to me.  And fortunately for me, they spoke loudly.

The objective for this workshop (the way I see it) is to find your vision—something you are longing for—and take the time to breathe some life into this vision.  With 8 participants, we sometimes broke up into pairs (great way to meet new people, by the way!) and shared some of our thoughts and ideas surrounding our goals as well as our blocks—or rather, our perceived blocks.

One of the most helpful aspects of the weekend was when I spoke and my partner took notes for me.  I didn’t have to worry about capturing spontaneous ideas or creative moments—she was able to do it for me.  And afterwards, I marvelled at how much insight and excitement I gained from doing these activities; things I would never do on my own at home yet were so profoundly eye-opening (and mind-opening) for me. 

Through Linda’s 20+ years of experience as a life coach, facilitator and process consultant with organizations, she has honed her skills and sharpened her tools to precision; well, as precise as you can get in this fascinating world of living your life. When asked what she does for a living, Linda sums it up as this: “I help people have conversations; either with themselves or with others.” 

I arrived without a clear vision in my head but when asked about what my life would look like if I wasn’t afraid, some unexpected insights jumped out of me.  I learned that I do hold back a lot because of fear—fear of what others might say or think; fear of failure; fear of success.  Status quo can be an awfully comfy, safe place to stay.  After examining what my life would be like if I wasn’t afraid, guess what emerged: I would be writing every day.

Less than one week later, I sat down to write this article.

Linda Vanderlee helped me have a conversation I didn’t even know I needed.  She helped me to focus on what it is I want and need in order to be true to my self.  She was able to guide me to a place where I could take more control over reaching my own vision.  Basically, she helped me build a bridge between my reality and my dream while cutting away those stifling cobwebs and leaving them behind.

Whether you are ready for some kind of change or you know you need a nudge in the direction you need to take, Linda Vanderlee is someone who may very well be able to help you build that bridge for yourself as well.

Linda Vanderlee is an executive coach and a process consultant who supports people and teams in their process of discovering ways that they can be more effective and satisfied with their life and their relationships at work and elsewhere in their lives.  For more information and to find out about future workshops, go to www.rendezvousrupert.org or email Linda at lindav@rendezvousrupert.org.