Author Archives: April Lee

without words

so much to think about today.

life can be hard.
and complicated.
 
 
 
 

an added ingredient


 
 
the interval of time between the announcement of my retreat and today, seven weeks later, has contained what i can only label “unusual circumstances.”
 
 

 
 
to respect the privacy of the individuals involved, i will not share details.

a collection of random iphone notes . . .

3.5.12

feeling unsettled

i just don’t quite have a grasp on life right now

too many details to pull into one cohesive whole

*

9.16.14

everything in moderation, including moderation.

*

3.27.16

shallow breathing, shallow life?

breathe in consciously and deeply.

compelling

i am drawn
to the unusual
and the curious
the different
the compelling

and i’ve noticed that
when i notice
these scenes
these snippets

i begin seeing similar
scenes and snippets
in my own days
mirrored moments

life responding in
ways that can
only be called
unusual and curious
different and compelling


 
 
 
 

a work-in-progress masterpiece

 
 
hi, i’m april, your retreat guide. i am certified as a holistic life coach, a wellness coach, a mindful eating coach, and a food psychology coach. i also have bachelor’s degrees in both business and psychology, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling.

the quintessential essence7 journey


 
 
do you always do what’s
expected or accepted?
do you sacrifice your own needs
in order to stay safe
to avoid standing out
to take care of everyone but yourself?

how many times have
you surrendered
your own authenticity?

choose to arrive

once again, i am thrilled to announce . . .
 
 

 
 
THE ARRIVAL 2023
sunday 17 september – friday 22 september
 
 
❤️🇮🇹 SAVE THE DATE 🇮🇹❤️
 
 

 
 
celebrate the last day of summer with me
at villa magnolia in italy

and as you rediscover your essence
experience a life-changing shift
 
 

 
 
opportunity is knocking
i can’t wait to meet you ❤️
 
 

 
 

retreat no more.

crazy daisy

at sixty-years-plus-two-months of age, various random musings keep floating through my head. here are a few:
 

  • summer solstice yesterday, and very cold june weather
  •  

  • the phrase crazy daisy, not sure where it came from (the sprinkler? the shasta variety?) but liking the way it sounds and thinking it might soon feature-in-my-future
  •  

  • sometimes i really wish i could live in two places at once, missing italy (and missing my older son who’s currently traveling through europe)
  •  

     

  • had my sixth injection yesterday, it went well despite a slight snafu (and yes it does matter who administers the shot)
  •  

  • fighting my latest battle, always a conflict-of-the-day (i tend to confront whenever i feel slighted/unfairly treated)
  •  

  • younger son’s new living arrangements are pretty cool
  •  

  • for a few different personal reasons, i sadly took the pink house off the list for this fall’s wallace home tour
  •  

  • so many vivid detailed mini-series-type dreams lately, not all very pleasant either
  •  

  • life sometimes feels like a wild carnival ride
  •  

     
     
     
     

    i’ve long been a fan of martha graham

    this quote was included
    in the lovely words
    a friend shared with
    me on my last day
    of physical therapy

    so poetic
    so apt
    so truly
    perfect

    especially since
    i hadn’t told her
    i’ve long been a fan
    of martha graham

    but especially since
    i hadn’t told her
    (or anyone yet) that
    i’ve begun dancing again

    gently, slowly
    tentatively, cautiously
    the movement initiating
    its reawakening

    beautiful bones
    delicate strength
    the choreography and
    rhythmic art flow
    of our everyday lives
     
     
     
     

    strawberries & cream

    the truth is one
    completes the other
    though it can be
    easy to lose track

    sometimes it feels like
    that song skinny love
    just trying to last
    through the fragile eras

    the moments slipping
    by untouched and
    unnoticed, unable
    to be retrieved

    taken for granted
    slighted or aggrieved
    no one ever as perfect
    as the other needs

    both just trying to
    live those best lives
    day by day

    always reaching for
    the stars, not often
    left disappointed

    but once in a while
    a bit scraped up
    metaphorically bruised

    goodbyes and regrets
    hellos and promises
    enduring, enriching

    fighting for that
    individual voice
    but also striving
    to mesh as well

    passport stamps
    strawberries & cream
    living united
    living free