A bright yellow suitcase slowly came to a stop on the luggage belt.
It was the only suitcase left. And it wasn’t mine.
Valencia’s vast, echoing baggage claim was empty, my fellow passengers from Flight 6029 from Rome had all vanished, off meeting Ubers or loved ones.
But where was my suitcase?
Wandering the cavernous building, I finally found the Oficina de Equipajes Perdidos – the Lost Luggage Desk – where I filed a report. They assured me my suitcase would be delivered to my hotel once found.
Found?? I imagined my suitcase dutifully waiting in line ready to board the next flight to Valencia, not wandering lost in the Catacombs of the Rome Airport.
I was left to fend with only the contents of my carry-on: my computer, journal and pen, toothbrush, earbuds, phone charger, and wallet, a lipstick, nail file, eyeglasses, some Biscoff cookies from the airline.
What I didn’t have was any other clothing, toiletries, jewelry, make-up, or shoes.
But I was in luck! The retreat host, M. Shannon Hernandez, of Joyful Business Revolution, who lives in Valencia, believes in extraordinary hospitality and care!
When she learned of my situation, she took me to her apartment that evening after dinner, loaning me pajamas, robe, socks and new underwear and deodorant she’d just purchased. The morning of the second day, when my luggage still hadn’t arrive, Shannon “styled me”, bringing me 3 outfits from her own closet, and made plans to take me to Zara that evening.
This retreat was an invitation to slow down and be fully present for artfully curated experiences, reflecting on our most important leadership, business, and life questions. I didn’t want to miss any of that, hunting down mascara, hair product, and a fresh blouse.
So I washed my face with hotel soap, put on Shannon’s clothes with gratitude (it was actually really fun!), and dove into the retreat.
Fully engaged in the retreat in Valencia.
Fresh clothes thanks to Shannon's generosity!
The first day was themed, “Shedding Layers.” How apropos. There I was, grappling with deep questions about what I needed to release to fully inhabit what’s next in my work and life, having been forced to shed physical layers that normally make me feel like me.
At first, I felt like these seven new friends weren’t exactly seeing the real “me” – I was in a costume of someone else’s clothes and without my usual outward self-expression and identity.
I joked that I was channeling the iconic Shannon, but someone corrected me, telling me that they saw me. It turns out, focusing on the questions, conversation, and authentic sharing, I was fully present, even if my eyebrows weren't!
This shedding of layers gave me the freedom to grapple with big questions…about potential new boundaries, about what’s become more true for me, about possibilities that might be discovered from a different angle, about what should be carried forward, and about deciding how to choose what deserves my time and energy now.
My answers clarified just how to bring my work of Love with more integration and wholeness, and thus more power and joy.
On the night before our final day, my suitcase arrived. It looked a little guilty for lollygagging on its own Roman holiday, but all its contents were undamaged, so I didn’t scold it too much.
On the final day of the retreat, I joined the session wearing my own clothes again, inhabiting myself in all the familiar ways. And yet, not standing in my life and body in the same way at all.
Having shed all those layers, and finding my answers, I was ready for the day’s theme, Threshold, ready to cross over and inhabit my life and work with a new elegant simplicity and power.
My suitcase eventually caught up with me. But I think I left some other baggage behind in Valencia. And I don't intend to go looking for it!
How about you, Loving Leader?
What layers might you need to shed to more fully inhabit who you are and who you're becoming?
