Faye's Story

Editor’s Note: Faye was interviewed several years ago about her experiences with Centerpoint. This article encompasses her responses in that interview.

I had been an attorney for 15 years. I was about to turn 40 and didn’t know if I wanted to continue in law. Was this where my spirit was calling me? Was practicing law my passion?

One day as I was going through my desk I noticed a bracelet I got from a Centerpoint fundraiser. Looking at the tag which listed the Centerpoint website, I thought, "I should check this out." Cost was a concern because a previous experience with a career counselor had been very expensive. But I went to the website and took the Self Test there and I said, "That’s me!"

I took the one-day LifeWork Renewal™ workshop and I felt that it captured exactly how I felt. I could see what season I was in and what season I’d like to be in—the way they say the circles of our lives go. My next step was The Retreat. I thought I needed to be away so that I could really hear my voice.

What I discovered during the 4½ days of the Retreat was that all the participants had more than one issue; that there was a reason we kept making decisions that didn’t bring us passion. We did life charts and when I looked at mine I went "Aha!" All the choices I’ve made have been based on other people’s expectations of what I should do and who I should be. The Retreat made me understand that if I am going to find my passion I need to start listening to my own voice and my own expectations.

What I got from The Retreat was my voice—I got my voice back. I don’t know if I had ever heard it before, but if I had it was forgotten because it was so long ago. Now I’m going to listen to what feels good to me.

Today Faye continues to listen to her voice:

"I’m enjoying life so much more because I’m doing what brings me joy. I’m exercising regularly which has been beneficial both to my health and my overall mental well-being. Over the last year, I received a lot of compliments on my weight loss. I also got a promotion at work courtesy of a wonderful new boss. Although I’m still practicing law, I’m now in a position where I’m better able to use my skills and talents. I would say that going to the Retreat was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Instead of being fearful in my 40s, I’m feeling fabulous in my 40s.