Services

Hearts On Our Sleeves Coaching

For most adults, around the age of 50, everything comes up for review: work, family and spousal relationships each earn a closer look during this decade of life. There is an internal “push” to open the door to opportunities for finding greater meaning and purpose, and increased energy to make a sustained effort to discover what really matters. At midlife, most adults begin to realize that there are more years of life behind them than there are likely to be ahead of them. It brings a sense of urgency to answer questions like, “Am I satisfied with how I have been living, and, if not, do I have the courage to change it?” For many people, there is also, “What do I want to do with my life now that my kids are grown and no longer require me to be a full-time parent?”

I consider it a significant life transition that warrants its own kind of life coaching, and I have chosen to work with women 55+ to help them find their authentic voice, and identify their unique life legacy. There are three principles we observe:

– We are the authors of our lives, and the owners of our bodies, our minds, and our spiritual growth.
– We enjoy collaboration with other women as our companions for the journey of conscious aging, seeking meaning and purpose as we craft a legacy to leave the world a better place.
– We participate in individual and group coaching conversations that are meaningful and designed to help create a life well-lived that is our own unique work of art.

When you are ready to get started, contact me at elainevoci@gmail.com.

Contemplative Services

Recognizing and living into a calling has been the focus of my career evolution from my earliest work as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor, my training as a Gestalt therapist, and, eventually, to my life coaching in private practice. Although my vocational path has had varied job titles in different industries, there have been unifying, central themes: service to others, spirituality, and communication. Since 2021, I have added contemplative practices to the way I work with clients.

As a student of contemplative writing and listening, I completed a one year program of study offered through a joint project collaboration between Judith Favor, Quaker minister, and Spirituality & Practice, a multi-faith website presenting resources for a worldwide community of people engaged with the wisdom of spiritual traditions and serving the world through spiritual practice.

I am currently enrolled in an 8-month course, Heart’s Longing: An Invitation to the Contemplative Path, presented by the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. I will complete that study in June, 2022.

Contemplative practices include guided meditation, prayer, silent contemplation, conversations about spiritual experiences, inspirational music, and books by well-known writers on topics related to spirituality. Below are descriptions of programs and special events that I offer to my clients, women in the second half of life:

Book Study:  I currently offer a contemplative book study of Women Rowing North, the best seller by Mary Pipher who turned 70 during the year she wrote it. A combination of silent reflection on passages in the book, writing in a personal journal, and group discussion. Typically for small groups of 10-12 women and often held at my home.

A Mini Retreat, “Navigating Your River of Life”: These gatherings are for women who are 55+ and they offer a format that includes reflection and group conversation about our choices through compassion, intention, and mindfulness to discover what brings heart and meaning to our lives. The retreat is offered in a face-to-face format, or an online Zoom event.

Wisdom Circles: I facilitate quarterly gatherings that are creative and contemplative, for women in the second half of life. Events feature guest speakers on topics of interest to the group, with generous intervals of silent reflection, journal writing, and active group discussion.

What To Expect In Face-to-Face Retreats
The setting will be comfortable. There will be a balance between activities that focus on inner work done alone, and work done during large group discussions. There will be beauty in the room with fresh flowers, candles, angel figurines, and music designed to create a supportive and peaceful ambience. Sometimes I invite local musicians to provide live music, such as harpists, violinists, guitarists, and pianists. Participants will depart from retreats with increased clarity about their life goals, a felt sense of acceptance and support, greater self-awareness, and increased confidence in making decisions they face.

Celebrant Ceremonies

As a Certified Life-cycle Celebrant®, I have been trained in the art of ritual, ceremony, world and faith traditions, ceremonial writing, and public speaking. I offer personal, and memorable, weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies for people from all walks of life.

I was drawn to this work by a clear belief that every life has purpose and meaning, and that rituals and ceremonies are ageless, timeless, and embraced globally for their power to transform the ordinary into the sacred.

In a Celebrant-led ceremony, you are empowered. Nothing is imposed on you. Instead, I will spend the time to get to know you and will craft words written just for you to fulfill your ideals and vision for your special ceremony. Every Celebrant ceremony is unique; there are no “cookie cutter” or “one size fits all” services offered.

As your wedding Celebrant, I will collaborate with you to create a ceremony that reflects the beliefs and traditions you find important, and represents your unique views of life and love.

As your funeral Celebrant I will carefully craft a eulogy and create a service with the music, quotes, readings, and unique symbols and rituals you choose.

No wedding or funeral ceremony is delivered unless every detail of the service has been checked and approved by you. And after the wedding or funeral, I will present you and your family with a beautiful copy of the ceremony on parchment paper as a keepsake.

To discuss my celebrant services in more detail, please contact me at elainevoci@gmail.com.