WHEN WOMEN SHARE THEIR TRUTHS
Everything changes.
Having just wrapped up the first iteration of my 4 -month program, PROJECT 444, I am still processing the experience for myself. But I can tell you, it makes me feel just like the photo above taken this Sunday - all sunshiny, grateful, and embodied.
The project was birthed out of my desire to serve women through the writing, healing, and sharing of our personal stories while nested in a supportive, private community.
I wanted to share a process I had cobbled together over time from my screenwriting and spiritual memoir beginnings, my personal writing practices, as well as the many beautiful lessons and processes I had learned over the past few years studying somatic/trauma-informed writing, contemplation, and generational healing. I yearned to share these healing processes with women who were ready to dive into their stories.
The project helped participants begin a steady writing practice, belong to a supportive and affirming writing community, establish a process for unearthing the gems of their personal narrative, and accumulate fourteen pivotal stories from their own lives. That’s more than enough for the foundational stories for a memoir, screenplay or family legacy book. Fourteen key themes and stories from their life they have paused to intentionally recall, write and heal.
Each week the women received an email with guidance, inspiration and writing prompts that circled a particular theme. They also chose roughly 444 words from their weekly writing to be witnessed by the other members in our private forum to receive encouragement. Once a month, we gathered for a couple of hours via Zoom to learn more together and to share our journey.
The way the women showed up for themselves and each other was profoundly beautiful to witness. The closeness, trust, vulnerability, and support was transformational. We are forever changed by the willingness to speak the truths of our lives and witness the truths of others. With each story a woman shared we recognized parts of ourselves. My story is your story. Your story is mine.
What began as possibly a small undercurrent of desire to tell their stories turned into a roaring river of reclamation and restoration. They cheered each other on, laughed and cried together, and created a truly safe and brave space to heal and be witnessed. With each story they grew braver and I am still in awe of their commitment to themselves and each other and the stories that spilled out of their hearts and onto the page.
Project 444 begins again in January of 2023.
I share the responses from a few participants below in case you recognize a desire for a process and community like this for yourself. If so, please reach out and get on the waiting list. Formal registration will be announced soon.
I think the winter months will be the perfect time to dig into our stories, with blankets around our shoulders and a cup of tea between our palms, gathered around the warm fire of shared sisterhood.
As the feedback on the program begins to trickle in, I hope you won’t mind if I share a few responses:
Judy writes: “I joined Project 444 because I was intrigued by the possibility of starting to write more again, and I totally trust Mary as a spiritual guide. What began as a writing project ended up also being a deep appreciation of the other women who were part of the journey with me. I was honored to read and hear their vulnerabilities, their hopes and dreams, their history, their wounds, and their healing. And part of me was healed in the process.
I feel more connected to others and more able to look at my story with gratitude and joy.
Any woman who has ever written, wanted to write or tell her story in any way, or just see how the connections in her life have worked to bring her to this point, would benefit from this course.
There is no better guide than Mary Thoma. I would follow her lead anywhere.”
Kalah writes: “I'm certain this program would benefit anyone who is seeking support and guidance to create a structured writing practice. It has helped me navigate my memories and emotions and it was such a therapeutic experience. I loved reading the words of my fellow participants and it felt so good to be part of each other's healing and experiences. “
Shikera writes: “ This program granted me permission to unfurl my tightly coiled soul through writing. The community of women made me feel seen, appreciated, loved and supported through the peaks as well as life valleys.
I received feedback that made me ponder that my life lens is not abnormal, and I realized that writing has always been a healing balm in my life.
Originally, I was nervous about being in a community of writers who were more knowledgeable, expressive, and better writers than I am. In time, I realized that it was not a competition, but a sisterhood of loving, supportive women who reflected my best like a loving mirror, whose honest words met my heart in a profound way.
I loved the camaraderie I felt in the program. These sisters shared in my grief when my aunt passed and held me with their hearts when I wrote about difficulties. Early on in the first month, I was in deep trepidation believing I would be perceived as inadequate. However, I eventually witnessed the beautiful equal exchange in the women extending permission for me to show up as I was and where I was. Ultimately, this permission caused deep self-knowledge to manifest in my world.
I believe this writing community is suitable for any woman. The diversity in the community will enhance the depth of the experience in reading and writing as well as emotional growth. I loved seeing, reading, and sharing in the healing of each woman as they bore their hearts in writing. I love that these ladies became my sisters and that I know there are people championing my storytelling as well as my healing.
Mary is an excellent facilitator because she not only provides prompts; she displays compassion and understanding. … Mary is open to listening to the participants privately as well as collectively if an assignment is emotionally or mentally difficult. Finally, Mary shares her writings which show her humanity and that she leads by example. “
Demi writes: “In Mary’s course, I was nervous about exploring old traumas. Early on I discovered a perception about myself that I knew but hadn’t realized that I could change. It was a thunderbolt for me. Reframing those experiences and perceptions of myself has been one of the most life-changing realizations I’ve ever had. The exercises Mary has chosen are varied enough to mine for gold.
Who should take the course? Even women who have had lots of counseling, even if you have healed significantly, the exercises Mary has chosen reveal that there is ‘gold in them there hills.’
What thrilled me about the course was watching and witnessing other women have profound pattern realizations about themselves, and being witness to them changing in so short a time.
Mary’s’ individual attention to each writer and their specific journey was filled with compassion, deep insight, unwavering encouragement, and support. It was an honor to watch.” - Demi
GET ON THE WAITING LIST FOR PROJECT 444 beginning JANUARY 2023.
Your story matters- for you, for us, and for the healing of the world. Perhaps you’re ready to join us next time?
I would love to hear from you! What do you want to hear more about? You can comment below, or send me a message by replying to this email. I do my best to respond to each and every note I receive.
To your courage in speaking your truths,
xo Mary
Wow, just wow!! 😊❤️