Days 4 & 5: Live.Laugh.Lagos Retreat Journal

Comfort zones were crushed—getting into sea-faring kayaks, powering through motion sickness, and paddling through narrow caves on rolling waves to name a few. So much for the relative “safety” of the jewelry, gelado and cork shops

The ocean at the Ponta da Piedade arches and cliffs, literally translating to “point of mercy,” was still surprisingly merciful, with special thanks also to our very capable navigators—“Captain Pineapple,” “Jennifer Aniston” and…Duarte.

From Elephant Bay to the French Kiss, Le Louvre, and The Living Room—the aptly named natural rock formations and dwellings brought forth child-like awe and adventure-induced adrenaline all at once. Like It’s a Small World meets The Amazing Race.

The glory of achieving our goals—making it back to the catamarran in one piece and not eating for two whooooole hours—was outdone only by the thrill of being catapulted from the boats waterslide into the aquamarine waters (not so far away from where the octopus hang out)

Fresh from our victory walk off the wharf, some of us refueled on beet or mango juices as others refueled on more jewelry and cork purchases !

The natural beauty of the outdoors turned inwards as nine natural beauties gathered around the table for wine-marinated lamb and a sentimental little send off ceremony.

Connection, peace, self-compassion and self-worth—heightened by awareness, growth and gratitude—were ALL there. As were the tools to take home with them, including mindfulness, resource recommendations, reflections, goal-setting and more. Perhaps a side of Practical Magic

But the real magic as well as the exclamation point to our entire journey together may have been by way of a secretive surprise exercise that left some speechless.

One that demonstrated the power of the energy we hold within ourselves and with each other. Tonight we fly, we laughed. Tonight we soar.

As Gigi and I close out our inaugural retreat, we are rewarded by the calm, clarity, joy and empowerment of these women who let their guards down and minds open.

These exceptional women got to reset and be reminded that it is never too late to return to yourself and reimagine what’s possible.

To the Sisterhood of the Traveling….aaaah! You had to be there!!!