Karen Beda

Review of Pathways Core Training, Inc.

A year or so ago my son and my beautiful daughter-...

A year or so ago my son and my beautiful daughter-in-law, went through what I think of as an emotional boot camp called Pathways. My son encouraged me to go, but I kept putting him off taking a wait, watch and see attitude. And so I did for more than a year. And over that period of time I watched this young couple grow into their own as adults, step into their marriage as equal and loving partners, and my grandchildren blossom. Hitting a wall of my own in the fall of 2016 I realized that maybe going to Pathways would help me as well. This is how I found myself attending the November Weekend 2016 followed 10 days later by The Walk. I get stumped in how to even continue on with this post because I don t even know where to start. I ll be 60 this year and I can honestly say that since I was in the 4th grade, I have been on the outside looking in; wondering where do I fit?; why didn t I fit?; was I as invisible as I felt?; and where the hell did all that confidence I once had as a kid go? In case you're wondering, yes - I got some counseling. Lots of counseling through the years. And things were better, but there was always just an unanswered "something". Well, I not only got answers to these questions and others - I got so much more. Before Pathways I would have had trouble coming up with 2 friends that I could call up and meet for lunch, a movie or hell, even a ride to the ER if I needed one (and not feel like I was bothering them). My heart was guarded by a high wall (to keep it safe) life was operated largely by my head. I tried thinking my way out of chaos not much luck overall. By the end of the Walk I have found that Amazon I had been once upon a time before I got in the way of a predator as a child. I was able to let down the wall I had built around my heart. I feel like I now have an operating manual for living a life that is full and engaged. I have a core of friends that love me as I am, accept me, laugh at my sense of humor and see me the real me. And yes any one of them would give me a lift to the ER if I needed it. We talk often, laugh quite a lot, cheer each other on, and offer encouragement when needed to one another. My husband went through the training a few months after I did. It s been a game changer for both of us. He s living with an Amazon a peaceful warrior (I m easier to get along with these days, but I ll stand up for myself and my own tribe if the world pushes). I m living with a man who s in his heart too. Has life always been this great? Yup I just didn t see it. So now I know Happiness is a choice.