Greetings Brothers!

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Men Writing for Change
Join us!

By Brian Mueller

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have set aside some time and have plans to enjoy the upcoming holiday with friends and family. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, a chance to reflect on my life with gratitude, and also to enjoy a relaxing weekend with friends, family and good food.

I just got back from Soularize, the annual gathering of Illuman men in New Mexico. This is the sixth year in a row I've attended. With each passing year I find the experience to be leading me deeper into a spirituality that's bigger and more inclusive than I had ever imagined.

The focus of this year's gathering was about exploring what mature masculinity looks like. Three hundred men gathered over four days to share their own experiences and to learn from others. Six of our Ohio Illuman brothers were among the attendees, and I hope over the next several months these men will share some of the stories and wisdom from Soularize with you in council.

Our next Ohio Illuman sponsored retreat is Men Writing for Change. This year we'll be holding the event at the Bergamo Center at Beavercreek near Dayton, Ohio. Though the venue is different, men can expect the same great amenities including single occupancy rooms, private baths, great shared retreat space, as well as ample grounds to wander and commune with nature.

The theme of our retreat this year is "A Blaze of Light in Every Word." We're inspired by the poetry of the late Leonard Cohen and his songs "Hallelujah" and "Anthem." Every human being has within them a soul and often the language of their soul is poetry and music. As co-leaders of the retreat, Tom Sparough and I will be guiding the men in a program that will help them discover what their soul is saying.

There's more information below about the Men Writing for Change retreat this coming January, including a link to registration. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. The retreat is reasonably priced at $150, but you can save $25 by registering before December 1, 2020.

Again,
Happy Thanksgiving to your family, friends and community, and blessings during the upcoming holiday season!

🍁

Brian

Brian Mueller is the Ohio Illuman webmaster and newsletter editor. He publishes a daily poem at his website BriansPoem.com and is looking for some new hobbies besides spending so much time in front of a computer. If you are interested in learning more about Ohio Illuman or Illuman, Inc., Brian can probably connect you with the right person