Meaning in March: Close Up with Kathie Kelling March 17, 2010

Water, Workshops and the Luck of an Irish Woman

I recently chatted with Kathie Kelling about her story and the work she’s doing that is meaningful to her. Below is an excerpt form our conversation that I want to share with you during March Meaning Month.

With a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of people and inspired by water, Kathie Kelling is changing the world one coast at a time by helping people see their value and acknowledge the gifts they have to share.

Kathie Kelling, Coach and Evocator

[Alice Asked:] I know you travel a lot and organize trip and retreats. Why are you so drawn to travel and why certain places in particular over and over again?

[Kathie:] You never know what to expect when you travel — especially when travelling to the kinds of places that bring you your ideal day. By being able to leave regular life, you can capture a sense of freshness and keep alive just how special it is to be somewhere new. I don’t necessarily you can feel that way in a place that you live in all the time.

Logically thinking, with my love of travel, one would probably think I would choose new places to go to all the time. However, for me, the sense of connection to a place overrides the logic. In each of those places, there’s something that pulls me, draws me in. Mainly that compelling force is water.

[Alice Asked:] How does water play a role in connecting you to specific places?

[Kathie:] I love water and  feel most myself when I’m near water. I grew up near Lake Erie in the 1950s. The lake became a common stop for me on my “kid” adventures. I would just watch the water and get really still. What really solidified for me was the peacefulness and tranquility it brought me. Even as a kid, I knew how special that was for me. I felt enriched by that an,d today, I feel so enriched by travel…the experiences, the travel itself and the wonderful surprises that happen.

In Kauai, the water is very present because it’s a small island. In Mexico, the place I rent is right on the beach. In Ireland, where I have my upcoming retreat, there’s lots of coast land. The retreat center I’m using overlooks Clew Bay, which is full of more than 300 little islands that appear and disappear with the tide. It’s inspiring and mysterious all at the same time and that is such a great metaphor for the self discovery process.

[Alice Asked:] What do you find to be most meaningful in your work?

The view from Essence of Mulranny in Ireland.

[Kathie:] It gives me a lot of joy to help others learn who they really are. Puts meaning in my life. I want to see more people valuing who they really are and acknowledging the wonderful gifts they have to share with the world. I think when we’re in touch with our passion, we can’t help but share it. Our passionate self is the best part of ourself.

[Alice Asked:] What are you looking forward to most right now?

[Kathie:] I’m hosting a 9-day retreat in Ireland starting June 8, 2010 called Evoking Your Passion. I’m really looking forward to seeing the look on people’s faces when they take in their first glimpse of Ireland. The country itself is so lovely and unexpected. Even just looking out the window form the airplane. It sounds cliché, but there really are 40 shades of green everywhere.

The retreat will help people imagine and create the story of their lives, lead by me, and also includes time with my colleague Cheryl, our resident artist, giving them the opportunity to integrate the creative self to all the other work we’ll be doing. We’ll also be going out as a group and being introduced to sacred places such as the sea, a labyrinth and historical sites such as the castle of Grace O’Malley the Pirate Queen and a 14th century abbey. There will be no shortage of inspiration!

[Alice Asked:] How do people register for your Ireland retreat?

[Kathie:] They can email me kikelling@yahoo.com or book online through the retreat center called Essence of Mulranny. We need a $200 deposit to hold each person’s space and as of right now, there are a few spots open.

[Alice Asked:] Why do you do what you do?

[Kathie:] I feel I am changing the world by helping people get to know who they really are. Maya Angelou said, “Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” If more people were able to put their attention into creating good from our passions and by loving ourselves, then I truly believe fewer people would impart hurt upon one another.

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