A Simple Invitation

Last week, two girls knocked on our door and asked if my daughter wanted to be part of their friend group. My daughter was so nervous and excited as she said yes.

The following week, they came back and asked if she wanted to walk around our neighborhood. There was nothing planned beyond that. It was a simple invitation. About 45 minutes later, my daughter came back from the walk, and she was happy to be getting to know people her age in South Africa.

For some reason, this has been on my mind as I prepare to open the first gathering of The Return. Its my first offering since I came off sabbatical and it is very easy to make things super complicated.

If you’re reading this, you’re already here because something in my writing is connecting with you. You might nod as you read something that feels familiar. You might reflect or ask questions about your own life.

This substack post is my way of now knocking on the door and asking Will you join me for the Return?

The Return isn’t about arriving with a perfectly formed question or a clear problem to solve. Sometimes we’re so tired, stretched, or busy that we can’t even name what we need. The simplest question could be: What do I want to return to?

For the next month, we’ll simply make space for whatever wants to emerge from that question. We won’t rush or force clarity. We will notice the dots before we try to connect them all.

The Return asks you to get curious and pay attention. Its an experience that is not asking you to perform. Its a space where I don’t know is an welcome and complete answer. During live online gatherings, you are encouraged to keep your camera off. If you aren’t ready to speak you can use the chat. If you don’t want to use the chat, you can just listen.

There will be weekly email letters sent out. You can read them when you have time and won’t have any pressure to respond. Because returning back to whatever it is needs more space and less restriction.

I hope you’ll feel is that your presence matters. One of the unexpected gifts of gathering with other people is that their questions often unlock something in us. There have been so many times when someone else’s words have helped me recognize something I couldn’t quite name for myself.

That’s the kind of space I hope to create online and eventually in person. A space that is quiet, spacious, and peaceful.

If this feels like something you need in this season of your life, I’d love for you to join us.

Learn more and join The Return here: https://kandicecole.com/the-return/

If you have questions email me kandice@kandicecole.com