Podcast: What’s Up Bainbridge:
Virtues Project offers one-day “Pace of Grace” retreat for local women
In this 14-minute podcast, Betsy Lydle Smith — the Bainbridge-based master facilitator for the international Virtues Project — describes an upcoming one-day retreat for up to 10 local women. The retreat is designed to restore “A Pace of Grace.”
The one-day session, from 9:45 to 5:30pm on Thursday, August 10th, will be held in the comfort of a private home on Bainbridge. The day includes presentations, deep listening, group communications exercises, plus a healthy lunch from local sources and a spiritually-uplifting walk in nearby Bloedel Reserve.
As Betsy explains, The Virtues Project is a global grassroots initiative that began in 1991 to inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life. She says that the project is the catalyst for the renewal of kindness, justice and integrity in more than 100 countries. It has been honored by the United Nations as a “model global program for all cultures.” The Virtues Project is being used in families, schools, organizations, and communities locally, nationally and worldwide.
Examples of the specific virtues emphasized by the project are listed here.
Founders of the initiative were Linda Popov (a psychotherapist), Dr. Dan Popov (a clinical pediatric psychologist), and John Kavelin (a Disney designer). Among other materials, the founders wrote a “Family Virtues Guide” to help parents raise loving, responsible and caring children.
Betsy explains in this podcast five strategies of The Virtues Project which will underlie the Pace of Grace retreat:
- Speak the language of the virtues;
- Recognize teachable moments;
- Set clear boundaries;
- Honor the spirit; and
- Offer companioning (in part, by being a good listener).
To learn more about the details (and charge) for this first Pace of Grace retreat on Bainbridge, visit Betsy’s Virtues Training website, where you can also register.
Betsy also volunteers her skills leading an informal group that meets weekly for an hour on the patio in front of the former Bainbridge Bakers cafe, at Winslow Green. That informal person-to-person session in the summer outdoors involves conversation triggered by picking cards that describe virtues. Newcomers are welcome to join at no charge. To learn more, contact Betsy by email.
Credits: BCB host, audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.
