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An exciting announcement everyone: this month marks the 15th year anniversary since I first launched the Women’s Wellness Circles!

I can hardly believe I’ve been sitting in Circle almost every month since. What a beautiful honour.  If I’ve done the math correctly, that would amount to 180 Circle experiences.  No wonder a Circle is my favourite shape.  (I consider a heart, a Circle too!)

At one point many years ago, I was actually hosting two Circles each month. This is because I had moved and started another Circle in my new community, while I continued to co-run our flagship location with my dear friend and wellness colleague, Karen Armstrong, until she fully took it over.

Very soon my new Circle was blossoming. As well, the original location continued to flourish, where it’s not uncommon to gather a powerful 50 plus Women on a particular month.

Back then I remember saying to Karen, “Now that we have two Circle locations, I envision more developing: when the time is right and the hosts appear.”

A few years after making that comment, I had a series of women contact me, asking if I would be willing to mentor them in the process of starting Women’s Circles in their respective communities.  I was touched, and ready!

What is especially neat about this occurrence is that those women didn’t know each other. They contacted me individually, all within a few weeks of each other.

Due to the uncanny synchronicity, I knew this cluster of inquiry was my official sign that the Women’s Wellness Circles were ready to expand further.

So I sat down and began to write the WWC hosting manual. I thought it would be a very simple guideline. However, it soon became robust with insights and wisdom.

The practical details of running a Circle are straightforward, however the deeper meaning of Circle: its essence, why it’s important, and what it provides, is almost hard to put into words.

Additionally, there is an ‘inner calling’ for those who choose to host and nurture Circle on a regular monthly basis. Along with it, the heartfelt desire to create connections and community.

Once the venue is established, each month the host decides on topics, locates presenters who are the right fit, and actively spreads the good word to all who may feel inclined to join in.

This requires a deep commitment and genuine passion.

Of course, every Host will readily say that Circle has become a beautiful part of who they are, and it’s priceless for the gifts it provides in return:  such as community building, friendships, networking, learning and leadership.

From a participant standpoint, although each person’s reason to attend a Women’s Wellness Circle is unique to the individual, there are common themes.

Here are a few examples:

  • New Learning – each month carries a different wellness topic and each presenter shares useful empowering information and strategies that participants can apply in their daily life, for themselves and their families.
  • Fun and Light-Heartedness – while some topics are more contemplative in nature than others, every gathering evokes smiles, laughter, and a sense of fun and playfulness that is so essential to our state of wellbeing.
  • Self-Care and Replenishment – the root of the word “wellness”, is “well”, and this reminds us of the importance of ‘filling our own well on a regular basis, so it doesn’t run dry. Circle is an opportunity to recharge our batteries and fill our own cups, so we become more balanced, vital and whole. In turn, this allows us to more genuinely give to others.
  • Community Spirit – daily life can sometimes make us feel isolated and that we are carrying too many burdens or responsibilities on our own. Circle lightens our load, as we are surrounded by others who relate and care. This connection brings a sense of inner strength and fortification to our lives that equates to greater health and vitality.
  • Personal Insights –when life is busy, we can merely skim along the surface and not have the time, energy or understanding of how to connect deeper within ourselves. In Circle, it’s common to have special ‘a-ha’ moments and to get to know yourself better. This leads to greater clarity, confidence and decision-making in life.

As the founder and mentor of the Women’s Wellness Circles, I can whole-heartedly say that I have experienced all of the above benefits firsthand on countless occasions.

It’s truly an honour to be part of this ancient tradition, provided in a modern day format that meets the needs of such a wide array of women: from those in their 20s to those in their 80s, single, married, with and without children, working, retired or in school, in a growing number of communities.

If you are interested in joining our ‘Women’s Wellness Circles’, as a host, attendee or presenter, please be sure to contact me.  I’d love to chat.

 

Circles of Gratitude,

Jill

Founder & Mentor of Women’s Wellness Circles

www.jillhewlett.com

After being part of Women’s Wellness Circles for over 13 years, it is indisputable that one of the strong bonds that bring us all together is a will to “say YES to life”.

From my initial curiosity to come out to a Circle experience all those years ago, there was born a magnetic pull to keep coming out.

Yes, I had all kinds of excuses when the week would come around due to my busy schedule, unexpected issues arising, feeling tired and just wanting to stay home— but I didn’t.

I said “yes” anyway, and I always came to the end of the night feeling so happy that I participated. There was an uplifting energy in the room, kind and friendly faces, a warm hug, and typically a fantastic presenter who shared their journey of life and the gifts that resulted from their challenges.

By going to a Women’s Wellness Circle, we gain a different perspective, a new skill for our tool belt, or simply a chance to fill up our cup with positive energy. This, in turn, enriches our life and ripples outwards to all those that we touch. Over time, these beautiful moments create the special memories that make up the story of our life.

We seem to be in a huge energetic shift on this planet, one that makes it difficult to manage the constant “To Do List” in our head. It is affecting us to the core of our being, stirring up all the old patterns that have kept us living smaller than that of which we are capable.

Let’s face it— living on the edge is scary! It takes determination, focus, physical and emotional energy, and the biggest challenge— putting ourselves first!!

What does that look like?

It takes courage to go against the expectations of society and to tune into what is important to us.

It often takes a burnout of some kind to give us permission to stop and re-evaluate, asking ourselves some of those tough questions: Why am I here? What do I value?  What unique gifts am I here to share?

No one else can do this work for us. No one knows our inner soul being like we do. No one is us, but us ourselves!

The women, and sometimes men, that come to share their gifts at a Women’s Wellness Circle, have typically gone through a life challenge that put them back on track to live a more authentic and rewarding life.

They share their story with us, and in doing so, inspire each of us to stop and listen differently to our own inner stirring.

Last night at my Newmarket/East Gwillimbury Circle, it was a young 29-year-old woman who had a near death experience when she was 25.

At a very specific moment, she decided to say “YES to LIFE”.  Her story is powerful, emotional, and represents the real life struggles that each of us deal with in our own way. I encourage you to check out her link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPshXEI3On0

The women that come to Circle are also drawn, because they choose to say “Yes to Life”. They make space in their schedules to put themselves first, to fill their cup so they can be there for others. They rise above all the reasons that life is too busy and there are too many other things to do.

Some come out monthly, some only a few times a year, some once a year. We come when we need the medicine that Circle offers based on our own life commitments. I am forever grateful for the inspiration that called Women’s Wellness Circle into existence through Jill Hewlett.

I am forever grateful for saying YES to hosting and forever grateful for all the presenters and attendees who continue to say YES.

I would like to close with one of my favourite poems; may it ring true for each of you. Here’s to saying YES to life!

The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

 

By Karen Armstrong

https://in-side-out.com/

A decade and a half ago, just before I launched the first Women’s Wellness Circle, I invited a group of holistic practitioners to come together at our local library to share ideas, resources and mutual support.

I was grateful and elated with the response and turnout.  Over 50 people showed up, and we had a fun, empowering and community spirited experience.

I had come to know several of these people through the wellness cable TV show I was hosting and producing as well as others through networking and personal connections.

Since that time, many of these individuals have been presenters at our Women’s Wellness Circles.  ‘Love how the connections continue to expand and strengthen!

Although the road less travelled can be very rewarding, it can also feel lonely and confusing at times, especially as an entrepreneur in the wellness field.  This was even more so years ago when I first had the inspiration to call forth this meeting.

So it made sense to come together, to recognize and to affirm that we aren’t alone.  While our wellness offerings may differ in appearance, at the core we share similar and complementary values and paths.

As I was preparing for this gathering, one of my fellow wellness colleagues shared this powerful Hopi message with me.  I knew it was perfect to share with the group, so it was part of my opening remarks.

Reading it over again now, I can see that the words are just as true, if not truer.  Therefore, I’d like to share them with you.

Take heart, feel the message, and know that while we continue to be in an incredible period of change, you are not alone.  We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

A Hopi Elder Speaks…

“You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour and there are things to consider . . .

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?

Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.”

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, “This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.  They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water.

And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

Hopi elder,
Hopi Nation
Oraibi, Arizona

Perhaps this message resonates with you as well?

As we begin to shift towards a new season, you may feel drawn to create some new experiences for yourself, learn some new self care and wellness strategies, and share in a welcoming and vibrant community oriented space.

If so, Women’s Wellness Circles invite you to take part!

After all, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

 

Jill Hewlett
Founder and Mentor of the Women’s Wellness Circles
Brain Fitness Expert and Wellness Authority|
www.jillhewlett.com