Updated information and Early-bird Pricing

Great news!

Due to some logistical changes, we are excited to announce that until January 21, we will have an early-bird discount of $500! This event was initially intended for adults, but is also open to mature youth who are willing to have meaningful discussion and limit technology use to that which is contributing to the nature of the event.

Just a brief summary of what you can expect:
-Airport pick-up and drop-off to and from the retreat location
-Trips to Gettysburg, Susquehanna PA, Palmyra (among others TBD*)
-Nature immersion experiences
-Discussions
-Service
-Simulations
-Presentations
-Skill strengthening exercises to hone those "Crust" skills (please read "The Core and Crust of Leadership" at this link)

Overall, it will be a meaningfully connected series of events and time for reflection surrounding the following questions.
-What does my personal pursuit of happiness look like and is it working?
-What keeps me, my family or society in bondage and how can we become more free?
-How do I work and what am I working on right now?  Does it need tweaking?
-How is my relationship with God and how can it be improved?
-How am I preparing myself to be the leader God intended me to be?
-What does my "society" look like and what kind of responsibility do I have in it?

Through historical, modern and personal examples, participants will have the opportunity to synergize on these topics that are central to our lives.  Activities are organized to allow you time and opportunity to deepen your understanding of God's view of these issues in your life and strengthen your commitment to follow His will.

It will be an amazing experience as you review the lessons God has been teaching you in your life until now and gain possible direction and inspiration for the days to come.  A true time of renewal.

If you are interested in attending, please note the "application" in the tab above that must be filled out and submitted before you may attend.  It is limited to 15 participants at this time.  Please also note the January 21 deadline of the early-bird discount, after which the price will return to its $550 price.

If you are going to attend and provide your own transportation to the event, the price of the event is $150 and is open until the spaces are filled or April 1st, whichever comes sooner.**

*There are many possible areas of historic and inspiring interest in the area: Underground Railroad locations, Amish country, Susan B. Anthony's home, historic Philedelphia.  The exact itinerary will be determined once I have a final count of everyone coming and personal preferences.  Please note areas of interest in the neighboring area that we might consider including in our itinerary on your application in the relevant area.  
Please note that this is not meant to be an all-encompassing canvassing of the historical areas of interest in the area but that they are going to be used to strengthen our connections to the principles we will be discussing.

**Independent airport pick-up is available for $25 if separate from the event organization airfare and must be arranged ahead of time.

Day 2: Freedom

The questions that arise this month stem from the Founding Father's belief that we all have a right to freedom.

What does that mean?
What does it look like?
How can we use it for good?

As a family, we are focusing on learning more about how we need courage to be free.   I have tried to apply this study to us as individuals.  Interestingly enough, I started thinking:
-in what ways am I not free right now?

For me, through our seminary classes and in what I believe was a direct Heaven-sent answer to this question, I have identified two areas in my life where I am in bondage;
-I struggle to truly forgive others and myself

To forgive is to release a prisoner, and discover that the prisoner was you.

-I am in bondage to my appetite

These are both areas that are within my area of action, my area of stewardship.   These affect my happiness as all our actions do.

What are you in bondage to?  Where is your study of eternal principles of freedom going to lead you?  Ask the question and then be prepared for God's answer.

Not much time right now! I will "decorate" later :)....

Day 1: Follow-up Discussion

Any ah-has anyone had from their musing about "the pursuit of happiness" or "what makes a happy life?"   Please feel free to share even quick ideas below!

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Mary: We structured a lot of our family's thoughts about "the pursuit of happiness" around Thomas Monson's article: "The Quest for the Abundant Life" which focused on four aspects for creating an abundant life:
-Obedience to Law (Godly and earthly)
-Respect for Others (this tied in nicely to our week about geography and culture!)
-Mastery of Self
-Joy of Service
These were very rich experiences as we sought out media, art, learning, examples and comparisons that complemented what we were learning.  We went to Jamestown and were able to consider the evidence of successful pursuits of happiness and unsuccessful in an elemental, "beginning of society" situation.  We went to Gettyburg and considered the four aspects listed above and their impact in that historic battlefield.  We also went to Williamsburg and felt the excitement of settlers who were intent of following what they felt was their God-sanctioned ability to follow the paths that led them to happiness.

One interesting idea that came up was in conjunction with Aristotle's ancient answer to the question of "what is the ultimate purpose of everything?"  Happiness.  He reasoned that happiness is the only thing that is an end to itself.  You don't pursue happiness for any other reason than to be happy!

Money is pursued for many reasons: stability, power, fame...but all those are sought for the ultimate end of finding happiness!  It is mind-boggling that underlying every decision we make is the unspoken and often unrecognized question: "will this make me happy?"

As we discussed this in devotionals, family home evenings and more formal school settings, I found that there are patterns you can see evidence of in the lives of others or the very world around us.  Every unique path witnesses that if you incorporate the four aspects listed by Monson, you will find what I feel is the true definition of happiness.  Something that is a desirable end in itself and needs nothing else to complete it.

We love and hate songs like this because it testifies of truth...a truth that if you do not invest in family relationships, you will regret it.

We read and acted out "Aesop's Fables" for part of our learning and it was neat how those small vignettes rang so true.  They testify of eternal truths.   They give evidence of both the sure, albeit sometimes hard, way to find happiness as well as the easier way to grief.

We studied people like Adam and Eve and others in the scriptures who found joy and happiness after struggle.

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I look forward to hearing from others!  I hope we can garnish from the submissions ideas for musical numbers, activities and field trips that will help us glean deeper meaning from our daily quests for truth! 
For instance, based upon just what I shared:
-we could have someone do a musical number about principles that bring us happiness
-we could take turns acting out Aesop's fables or put some of them "on trial" in a simulation
-we could make a nature walk that has four different stops along the way in our "Quest for Happiness" that focus on the four aspects of Monson's talk

Please share :)!!

Day 1: "Examples of Happiness" discussion

What examples of happiness do we find in the media?  Would you define them as examples of true happiness or momentary pleasure?

What about in books or songs?  Please list some below in the "reply" section and I will move them up here.

Here are some movies* I found on my shelf that to me are examples of people that pursued the highest definition of happiness:

-42: the Jackie Robinson Story
-Mother Theresa
-The Letter Writer
-The Inheritance
-The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
-Follow Me, Boys
-Amazing Grace
-Gifted Hands
-War Room

Other suggestions:
Lisa Brower: "The Pursuit of Happyness"



*Please don't love or hate them just because they are here!  I also trust each of you will honor everyone's personal standards in their suggestions and check to see if any item suggested or supported follows your own standards of acceptable viewing.  This is not a place for bashing or judging.  Respectful inquiry is acceptable.

Day 1: "What is the definition of happiness?" discussion

What are words and definitions we use to define "happiness"?  Which ones are true and which are false?  Please offer examples and sources you come across.  Won't this be fantastic?

You can comment below and I will bring the comments up into this article.  Or, even better, you can write an article of your own and we will submit it on this blog!

HAP'PINESS, noun [from happy.] The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain; felicity; but happiness usually expresses less than felicity, and felicity less than bliss. happiness is comparative. To a person distressed with pain, relief from that pain affords happiness; in other cases we give the name happiness to positive pleasure or an excitement of agreeable sensations. happiness therefore admits of indefinite degrees of increase in enjoyment, or gratification of desires. Perfect happiness or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life. (Webster 1828 Dictionary)

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Terms/words: joy (any others?)
Lisa Brower: Other words I use to describe happiness: contentment, satisfaction, true peace, having and being enough.  

Lisa, I love how these terms are all self-determined, resulting from taking affirmative ownership over situations around us and possible!  It reminds me of Victor Frankl's "Man Search for Meaning": I believe all of these terms would fit into his philosophical outlook on life. 

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Mary: I would like to start this discussion off by looking at a similar phrase: "the purpose of life."  I think that as we define and refine our "purpose" behind what we do, it will affect or perhaps even determine our happiness.  

This video which is intended to train Seminary teachers has opened my eyes to the power of purpose.  On a basic level, our purpose in an activity affects everything.  For example, last night when I was reading the rules of a game to play with my son, we started haggling over interpretation of the rules even before we started playing.  As I lay in bed thinking about that example, I thought, "What is my purpose in playing the game with him?"  Honestly, it was to win.  Change that purpose to "to bond with my son, demonstrate good sportsmanship and learn strategy."  All of a sudden, I find myself in a different mood when discussing the rules.  It is not how I can use the rules to my advantage, but rather what understanding can we reach.

I wonder if a sense of unhappiness arises when our underlying purposes in life are selfish or prideful?

Definition of "PURPOSE" in 1828 dictionary
1. That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure or exertion. We believe the Supreme Being created intelligent beings for some benevolent and glorious purpose and if so, how glorious and benevolent must be his purpose in the plan of redemption! The ambition of men is generally directed to one of two purposes, or to both; the acquisition of wealth or of power. We build houses for the purpose of shelter; we labor for the purpose of subsistence.
2. Intention; design. This sense, however, is hardly to be distinguished from the former; as purpose always includes the end in view.
Every purpose is established by counsel. Proverbs 20:18.
Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Ephesians 1:11.
3. End; effect; consequence, good or bad. What good purpose will this answer? We sometimes labor to no purpose Men often employ their time, talents and money for very evil purposes.

Day 1: The Pursuit of Happiness and How Do We Attain It?

The first focus we will start with at our retreat is: the pursuit of happiness.

What does that oft quoted phrase mean?  Does it mean do whatever it takes to be happy?  What does "happy" even mean?

Aristotle suggested the ultimate end behind every motive is happiness.  Now, whether our actions and motives actually lead to happiness, that is the question for this month.

I would like us to start our philosophical journey towards renewal by examining this question in our lives.  Keep your minds and thoughts open and I would suggest you start with this question:

What is God trying to tell me right now that will ultimately lead to happiness?

I would suggest by finding your own actual definition of what true happiness is.  Much like there is a big difference between a "crush" and "true love," I believe there is a difference between temporary happiness and long term happiness. (See the article about that or write your own!)

Let's explore this idea!

I will start a series of posts on this topic under the label "Day 1: Happiness."  Any of you who are considering going to the retreat and would like to become authors, let me know and I will add you!  Perhaps we can label our articles along with the "Day 1" denotation: i.e., "discussion" or "article." They don't have to be fancy or eloquent...let's just get the thoughts rolling.

 Let the fun begin!

What is the basic idea of "Renew"?

I am so excited for this event!  I know that as we come together with open hearts, with minds ready to teach and learn that we will each have our own unique experiences and come away with renewed personal vision and strength for future circumstances.

And we need each of you to make that happen!

We need each of you and your own glorious set of experiences and perspective...coupled with a willingness to share.

Each day we will explore a different area of impact:

Day 1: What is true happiness?  How do we attain it?
Day 2: What is freedom?  What does it take to maximize personal agency?
Day 3: What role does work play in our lives and in society?
Day 4: How does God and our relationship with Him affect our lives and the lives of those around us?
Day 5: What kind of leaders do we need to have and become to help sustain our conclusions of the previous four areas of impact?
Day 6: What kind of society do we need to accomplish the same, be it in our homes or communities?
Day 7: What can I do to make all this happen?

Through simulations, activities, reflections, field trips, discussions and presentations we will teach and learn from each other what we have discovered for ourselves about each of these areas.  So amazing, right?

Throughout the year, I would like you to keep these questions in the back of your mind and observe the world around you and how what you experience answers these questions for you.  I will have different posts up on this blog, one label for each day, for us to share these observations.  As the year progresses, each participant will feel the call and inspiration for what activities, speakers and material (articles, books and other media) they personally need to help them renew.

The conference will unfold throughout the year as we all contribute to its content, uniquely preparing ourselves through inspiration for a week of impact as we share our journeys and understanding with each other.