This past Friday, I spent the evening with my brother watching The Secret.  For those of you that haven’t read the book or watched the film, I highly recommend it. The Secret talks about the relationship between your thoughts and your reality. The premise of the secret and the Law of Attraction is that we draw whatever we think about into our lives. For example, if you focus on negativity, all you see is negativity, and as a result, you produce negativity. Conversely, if you focus on abundance, move through the world feeling abundant, you will attract more of into your life.

Well, I wrote this article for those of us wanting to attract more peace and happiness into our lives and need a community and a place to start.  Here are two resources that I will be using this year to help me focus on my intention of bringing more happiness and serenity into my life. Let me also say, I am in no way proselytizing. With any resource, take what works, chuck what does not.

Peace Village www.peacevillageretreat.org. I learned about this retreat center close to five years ago from an artist friend and I have been several times since then. Peace Village is located in Haines Falls, New York (upstate) and provides workshops on meditation, self-love, self-awareness, and other spiritual topics. They even have workshops in Spanish, so for you Spanish-fluent Frugal Feministas out there, they got something for ya, too.

Remember when I was in the middle of hell dealing with a workplace bully and did not know what do to until I took a workshop on assertiveness? (Click here to read: How To Ride The Bully). I owe my bully takedown success to a weekend that I spent at Peace Village.

The grounds are so beautiful (on one visit, I saw a family of deer walking into the woods) and you can request private lodging. Another great thing about this place is you receive TASTY vegetarian food and snacks based on donation.

Two things, though, that you should remember: First, It is BRICK up there throughout the year, so bring something extra to keep you warm for your rooms and during workshops. Even in the summer.

Second, there is little or no cell phone reception, which is a good thing if you are trying to disconnect from the world and recenter. You can, however, buy phone cards there to use.

The School of Practical Philosophy: If you are from NYC and take the subway, you might have seen their ad, “A Gift of Happiness.” They offer a 10-week introductory course on their school’s philosophy on happiness. I have been interested in taking one of this courses over the last couple of years, but never got around to it. But in honor of their 50^th anniversary, they are waiving the $90 course fee. To take one of these courses, all you have to pay is a $10 administrative fee. These centers are in a number of cities besides NYC. Courses start today and during week of January 13. I will be taking the online version.  You may register here for the Introductory Course. 

The good thing is that they offer light refreshments each evening during the break.

Frugal Feministas, if you are about attracting that #peaceandhappiness into your life and found this post helpful, please share it. 🙂

[info_box type=”alert_box”]Caring for yourself including takes care of your finances.  I encourage all ladies who are serious about self-care to go on The Happy Finances Challenge. In 42 days you can learn to make money decisions that will lead to long-term financial happiness. [/info_box]