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For so many of us, expressing ourselves through writing opens doorways to relief, inspiration, and a clearer sense of knowing what is most needed and most important. This is a class for writers, poets, journal keepers, scribblers, and those who are simply hungry to find a way through this time by sharing their words, inspirations, and love of language. We will gather once a week for four weeks; I’ll offer writing prompts and reflections on writing, and we’ll discuss what’s working, what’s beautiful, and what’s important to remember in helping ourselves move through fear toward a deeper knowing. And, we will build community via a private Facebook page where we can share our best lines, or those we have read, and wonder aloud together at the power of language to increase our capacity to face life, dance with life, and survive its assaults with an inner dignity.
Who This Is For
Anyone who seeks to write or find the words to enable wisdom during this time. For writers, poets, songwriters, scribblers, journal keepers, and lovers of language—whether you have never taken any form of writing class before or not. All are welcome.
Technology
Wholebeing Institute uses state-of-the-art, user-friendly Zoom technology that allows you to see the faculty via video, watch the slides during the presentation, and participate during live events through your computer or mobile device.

Presentation materials and any necessary pre-work or homework will be emailed in advance. Live sessions with Maria are held weekly.

Recordings will be posted following each session for students who are unable to join live or would like to review the material again.

Schedule and Time Commitment

Our class will meet weekly. Each live session runs 60 minutes.
Every lesson will be recorded for viewing at your convenience if you are unable to join at that time.

Each session will offer pre-work and homework assignments supporting the weekly themes. This work is not mandatory, but suggested. In addition, each week, as part of the live lessons, we will share quotes, phrases, writing prompts, and reading recommendations to deepen our work and inspire us to put pen to paper. We expect that the weekly time commitment, should you choose to do all the pre-work/homework and attend the lesson or listen to the recording, will be two to three hours.

Faculty
 
Maria Sirois, Psy.D.

Dr. Maria Sirois is a master teacher, facilitator and author. She is devoted to the science of well-being and the art of crafting a life and a work that embodies health, passion and success. As a positive psychologist (Psy.D.) and consultant, she focuses on the resilience of the human spirit particularly when under chronic stress, during significant transitions, and/or feeling the shock of wholesale change. Known for her wisdom, authenticity and humor, she brings a wealth of perspective from decades of study in the mind/body medicine and resilience disciplines. Maria is a longstanding faculty member at Wholebeing Institute and offers a number of courses, including the Certificate in Wholebeing Positive Psychology. She is the author of two books: A Short Course in Happiness After Loss (And Other Dark, Difficult Times) and Every Day Counts. Her home is in the Berkshire Mountains where she attempts on a daily basis to love her children well enough so that they too find a way to embrace the world with a grounded optimism and a sense of their own strengths. And on most days, she remembers to feed the cat. www.mariasirois.com

What Our Students Say
“Maria is outstanding! She is a master storyteller, a scholar, and a profound listener.”

“Such a wonderful way to process and embody positive psychology principles through this challenging time.”

There are pearls and inspiration in every course that I have ever taken with Maria. She is a gifted teacher and orator who has the knack for synthesizing and communicating information that helps her students dive into the deepest parts of themselves. Your world will expand exponentially. —Janie Nelson

“Thank you so much! Maria’s voice and wisdom were so helpful at this moment in time.”

“I am always inspired by Maria’s gift of language and how she conveys it through the organization of her classes, her presence, her ability to hold the words of others, and her storytelling.”

Registration Information

Tuition for this course is $149 USD