Daryl Wood's Blog

This afternoon as I explained to my coach what I was feeling I said “It’s as though I dropped my map and picked up someone else’s and that’s what I’ve been following.” I paused. Yes, that’s exactly what it felt like. Of course I have been slowing down, retrieving my map and rerouting myself. AND I have spent a lot of time reading other people’s maps and following their journeys.

It’s not a bad thing. In fact, I’ve learned SO much from their quests and their purposes and their focus. I’m awed by the work that others are doing with family relationships, with young people, with education, with sustainability, with diversity, with business and so much more. The coaches and leaders I connect with AND the people in my very own community who are plotting the regeneration of our village – all these amazing people are moving with determination and following the maps they have created for their lives. I’m deeply inspired.

And … I am very aware that my enthusiasm for other people’s maps keeps pulling me away from my own. Maybe when my path gets a bit rocky or monotonous or difficult I switch to someone else’s. Maybe I am too easily distracted because I can so plainly see the value in what others are doing. In any event, it was so clear to me today that I do want to follow my own path. That path manifested twelve years ago when I knew that retreats were the kind of opportunity I wanted others to experience.

I knew then with as much certainty as I do now that giving people the space to slow down, reconnect with themselves and their inner wisdom was what they needed to recharge their lives. I also knew that serving in this way felt fulfilling to me and of course I learned right alongside of the curious women who ventured into themselves. Remembering my first few retreats I wonder what I thought I knew that others could learn from. I have grown so much personally and professionally since then. And … there was value as evidenced by the continued contact I have with some of my original participants.

Now, as recent as these past couple of months I have dug further into the essence of what I can offer and discovered something truly magical. The land where I live is sacred ground and those who come and stand at the water’s edge are transformed. That is enough. It’s not all I can give them, and it is a critical piece that I have not fully utilized .. until now.

So, I’m diverting my eyes from the maps of my friends and colleagues to once again give my full attention to my own map. I am a really good retreat facilitator and, combined with my spiritual mentoring and life coaching skills, I do life-changing work. Today I feel so relieved to have picked up my map again. This is indeed the right path for me.