A Dispenza Retreat, Feelings of Gratitude, and The Opportunity to be of Service

This fall, I made a decision without spending much time analyzing the costs, benefits, or "what if" scenarios. Once I surrendered to the idea of simply saying yes, the process felt surprisingly effortless. That's how I found myself at a Joe Dispenza retreat in October. I arrived with no expectations, just positivity and curiosity. What would it be like to be among over 2,000 people who believed that meditation and conscious attention to thoughts and beliefs could be transformative? The retreat turned out to be an exceptional experience. As it ended, I thought, "I’ll give this streamlined decision-making process more consideration in the future!"

During the retreat, a meditation was planned to help participants manifest a desired outcome—perhaps a new career, soulmate, financial abundance, or healing from a health issue. We were instructed to contemplate our desires during a break and return ready to initiate the manifestation process. I thought about what I might need in my life but realized nothing came to mind. I felt profoundly grateful for my life, and I should be! Having a reprieve from an incurable cancer after intense treatment and coming out the other side feeling well had given me perspective.

What I truly wanted was to be of service to others.  I had already decided this before the retreat, spending hours contemplating, researching, and creating "what if" scenarios around the topic. Yet, I hadn’t done much besides volunteering as a Myeloma coach, where I supported fellow patients by simply listening and offering encouragement. It was a small act, but it seemed appreciated. I decided to use the meditation to seek clarity and a sign for where to focus my efforts. I envisioned creating a roadmap for my philanthropic success story!

I relaxed, connected, and immersed myself in the meditation. It was a beautiful experience as I visualized drawing opportunities for service from the quantum field. But when it came to envisioning my exact path, I drew a blank. Despite this, I wasn’t frustrated—the practice had deepened my awareness of my good fortune and feelings of gratitude.

Lacking universal guidance, I continued to wrestle with indecision. My heart wanted to give, but my mind kept searching for the "perfect" opportunity. Then I came across The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. Singer’s message was clear: Stop overthinking. Stop searching for the "perfect" path. Trust life and be open to what comes your way. It wasn’t a dramatic "Aha!" moment but more of a gentle "Hmm... maybe I should keep experimenting with this idea." After all, it had worked well for my retreat experience.

I realized I was overcomplicating my desire to give back. Gratitude isn’t meant to be complicated—it’s meant to be expressed. So, I made a decision: I would say yes to any opportunity for service presented to me without overanalyzing it. One of those opportunities was the Six Bridges Foundation.

I was already connected with John through my role as a Myeloma mentor. John shared the incredible work his nonprofit, Six Bridges Foundation, was doing in Kenya—providing educational resources, supporting local communities, and offering hope to those facing significant hardships.

John shared how his journey with cancer had shown him the areas of greatest need for cancer patients in Kenya. He was driven to help so he established Six Bridges Foundation. I was inspired to contribute. I had no experience with nonprofit organizations or international fundraising, but I donated some money. When I next spoke with John, he shared how my donation had bought food for families facing cancer, helped with transportation to treatment, and, perhaps most importantly, given hope by showing someone in Kenya that someone
cared. He told me the names and stories of those impacted. I realized I wanted to do more.

I decided to create a GoFundMe campaign to support Six Bridges Foundation and their incredible work. I also made a video sharing John’s mission and the importance of standing with him in his efforts to bring education and hope to Kenyan communities. Perhaps this is the start of something very meaningful. I have no expertise in this area and much to learn. Some days, I wonder if I’m the right person for such a task—surely someone more skilled and knowledgeable could do better. Should I even try? Hmm... I guess I’ll have to say yes!

I invite you to watch the video I created here: https://youtu.be/BAkMIL-A3Aw  If John's story inspires you as it did me, please consider donating to the GoFundMe campaign:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-the-six-bridges-foundation-for-hope?qid=5011c193095f40145c4ffbf93c15a6ad

Sometimes, the call to give back doesn't arrive with perfect clarity or a detailed plan. Sometimes, it’s as simple as being open to what life brings your way. I’m grateful my journey led me to John and Six Bridges Foundation. Together, we can support a cause already making a meaningful difference.

I encourage you to join me on this journey. I need help, and I’m not embarrassed to say so! Let’s keep saying yes to gratitude, service, and making the world a little brighter—one bridge at a time.