Hart Journeys

A Maui Passage is a yearly trip a women takes to check-in with herself and look at how her life supports her.

Sign up for American Goddesses in Ireland, a journey taking place May 18 - 27, 2011. (Flights leave U.S.

As a group facilitator, retreat leader and women's tour guide, I'm used to planning and preparing all the actions, processes and details. I'm used to listening to your story while I think about when lunch will arrive. I can talk about the history of goddesses in Ireland while plotting out the route to the next stop. When I'm with a group I am never really off. I am never focused on just that moment.

Do you know how angry, defiant, and needy teenagers can be? Well I've had one living inside me for a looooong time. She is the part of me that is angry on the outside and filled with fear on the inside. I had been working with a spiritual coach to show her that the world is safe and that she could come out. On my Peaceful Woman Maui Passage I was determined to guide her out.

I clearly remember my first sight of Ireland. I had just finished organizing, facilitating and presenting at six three-day conferences all held within three weeks. Working that hard had caused terrible insomnia. I hadn't really slept in months.

If you know me well you know that I love mountains. Nothing is more beautiful to me than an alpine lake ringed by pine trees and high mountain spires. For many years I had a dream to see the Himalayas. In November and December of 2007 I took a trip to visit good friends in Calcutta (more on this later.) From there I took an Explore UK Tour to Bangladesh, northern West Bengal state, Sikkim and Bhutan.

One of my favorite places to visit is Irish Beach. It's a small private community on the Mendocino coast. There is a great house with 8 beds, windows facing the beach and a great kitchen where my girlfriends and I can spend a relaxing weekend.