For the past 3 years when I’ve returned to Rhode Island to visit my family, I’ve led a retreat for women at my daughter, Mary’s, farm. The retreats have been very successful and I looked forward to doing another retreat this summer.

As I started to prepare for the retreat and write the talks, I felt stressed. As I thought about it, I realized it wasn’t giving the retreat and writing the talks that stressed me out, but marketing the retreat from 5,000 miles away. It felt burdensome. After praying about it and trusting my intuition that it didn’t feel right, I decided not to give a retreat. I felt peaceful after I made the decision which is always an indication for me that I am following the guidance within.

A couple of months later, my friend, Donna, called and asked me if I would be interested in being the speaker at the “Women of Faith” dinner sponsored by her church. Donna has been the chair person for the annual event for the past few years. I immediately said, “Yes” because this was right up my alley as a woman of faith. She said, “I will speak to the pastor and get back to you.”  A week later she texted me and said it was a go.

So I began praying about the title of the talk. I wanted it to be inspirational and, of course, I wanted to share the aloha spirit and how I manifested my dreams of living on the ocean and meeting my soul mate.  Donna and I agreed that the focus and theme of the night would be the aloha spirit.

As I thought about my spiritual journey and what has happened over the past 3 ½ years since I stepped out in faith and moved to Maui, it became clear that learning to love and appreciate myself was crucial for manifesting my dreams.  “The Power of Self-Love to Manifest your Deepest Desires” became the title for the talk.

All I had to do was “SHOW UP” and let my light shine for the night of the dinner. I brought sea shells from Maui for all of the women. We also had Aloha booklets as gifts. The place was decorated beautifully with an Hawaiian theme and the food was catered by a local restaurant. There were over 50 women attending the dinner and talk.

My daughter, Mary, had never been to any of my retreats or heard me speak before. I was thrilled (and nervous) by her presence at the dinner. I greeted all the women as they came into the restaurant and when I sat down at the table before I spoke, there was a card and beautiful candle at my seat. The envelop read, Patricia “Lady of Faith.”  Of course, I didn’t know who it was from.  What a surprise when I opened it and it was from my daughter. It said, “Mom, so proud of you! You are an inspiration. Love you, Mary.  My heart was full of joy and gratitude.  What a gift of love she had given me that I will treasure forever.  I was flying high.

Before my talk, I danced the hula. After I danced for a few minutes I invited all of the women to stand up at their tables and do the hula with me. It was beautiful to see them dancing and sharing the aloha spirit.

It was a powerful night seeing old friends and meeting new friends.  I loved every minute of it and so did the women attending. I shared what it is like to live on Maui and the energy of aloha. What a gift it is for me to share and inspire others to follow their hearts and believe in miracles.

Here are some of my closing remarks.

*God has placed your dreams and desires in your heart and will help you manifest them.

*You don’t need to know HOW they will happen. All you need to know is what your dreams are.

*Face your fears and do what you are called to do. Be the presence of God in the world.

*Love yourself like you have never loved yourself before.

*Love God with all your heart and soul.

*Say YES to receiving the plans God has for you. Let your light shine.

*Pray, Meditate, Believe, Let Go, Trust, Wait, Be courageous, Take a risk.

*God’s timing is perfect.

*Expect miracles.

*God is faithful.

*Now is the time to BE the star of your own life.

*Don’t let your dreams die inside of you.

Thank you Donna for inviting me to speak at the “Women of Faith” dinner. Thank you to all the women who attended and shared their faith. Thank you that I am learning to follow my intuition and to trust God to open and close doors for my highest good.