Hear what our graduates have to say:

Men's Weekend:

Relating to other men
Marriage getting better
Fathers
Raising children

Women's Weekend:

Going it alone
Hope for relationship

Men's Weekend:

Justin,

I'm writing to you to thank you personally. I don't believe I've ever told you how the Sterling Men's Weekend changed my life. I'll likely never know the true value that trusting relationships with men has for me. Prior to my Men's Weekend, ten years ago, I was always a loner and rarely sought the support or input of other men except for business advice. I was an economic and professional snob and felt superior to less accomplished and less successful men. I did not have a sincere loving relationship with my father, although I was aware through psychoanalysis that accepting my father including his faults was important. I spent my life being pre-occupied with my personal and economic success. I left little time for my three young children.

I changed in each of these areas and one substantial additional one... giving back for the blessings we have gotten. I have raised my sights and find giving of my self and serving others charitably to be of great value to me.

In all, I attribute these changes to the attitudes, wisdom and emotional mind set that I and others leave the Men's Weekend with and put into action daily keeping the Men's Weekend in mind. It has made my life more rewarding and I have personally seen the changes it has made in my children, wife and those I touch.

Thanks again and best wishes,

Bill E - New York

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I did the Sterling Men’s Weekend over 12 years ago in December of 1989. I’d have to say that it is clearly one of the best things that I have ever done for myself.

I was 42 years old when I did the weekend, I had been married twice, I had 2 children from my first marriage, I was about 2 years into a relationship, I had very few men in my life that I trusted, and I thought life was pretty good.

The relationship that I was in was very good, however I had an uneasy feeling that if something didn’t change it probably wouldn’t last. I knew that we loved each other and she was an excellent woman but a number of things just weren’t working right. I went to the Men’s Weekend to see if I might be able to learn something. I must say I got a lot more than I thought I would get. We are still together and it just keeps getting better every year. I now have hundreds of men in my life that give me everything that I need and one woman that gives me what I want. She is by far the most wonderful woman in the world and I should mention that she has NEVER done the Women’s Weekend.

I’ve been very active in supporting the Men’s Weekend & The Sterling Institute. I’ve had numerous leadership rolls and each one has taught me a lot. I’ve stepped back a few times, from being very active, but never quit or left my team. Since doing the weekend I’ve pushed and challenged myself more than ever before, each time I’ve learned a lot about myself and my relationships.

Thank you Justin.

Bob M. - Vancouver Canada

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One of the many things that I got out of my Men's Weekend and the most significant is a renewed relationship with my father. Since I was 7 years old I could not trust, respect or love my father due to him leaving my mother and his 5 children for another woman. I especially thought I would never have compassion for the man ever again. My men's weekend gave me the access to forgive, trust and love him once again. Today I acknowledge my father as a great man and he is an active part of my life.

SJR Concord, CA

There is rarely a day when I do not feel a measure of gratitude for the changes my Men's Weekend has made in my life. Most profound among these is my recognition of the value of having men close to me, and the discipline I practice of having these men know me fully and support me to be true to myself. Equally important is the context that my wife and I share regarding the raising of our children. We are in agreement that the worst thing we could do to our children is to divorce one another, and the best thing we can do for them is let people into our lives to support us when things become difficult as a couple. I believe our boys will be better men because of this.

Paul H. MW March 1993 - Vancouver Canada

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Women's Weekend:

I was a worry wort. I didn't trust anybody. I had very low self esteem. I felt invisible. I felt sorry for myself. I complained a lot. I didn't know who I was, what I wanted, or what my purpose in life was. My mother-in law moved in with us, and we fought all the time. My husband was caught in the middle. I was unhappy. I blamed my husband. I was engulfed in negative energy.

I took a risk and did the Women's Weekend. I learned that I cannot do it alone and that I will never again have to do it alone. I began the process of opening my heart to let in love and acceptance of who I am. I learned what my barrier was in having a successful relationship with my mother-in law. I learned how to manage my relationship with my husband so that it is fun and I'm learning how to listen to him with respect. I am happy. My husband is happy. I am filled with gratitude. In being a part of the Circle of Women, I am surrounded by positive energy. My life has transformed from a life that was powerless into a life that is powerful. No words can ever do justice to the gift of the Women's Weekend.

Tanya L.

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I did the weekend just about one year ago, and boy is my life different today. Before I went to the weekend, I was going to move to the other side of the country, searching for something I didn't think I had here at home. I had decided that I would never marry again, and that it was ok to just settle in life. I was depressed, lonely, and my life had no spirit in it.

Then, I went to a meeting at someone's house, and found all these women talking about this weekend and how much it changed their lives. I was skeptical but I listened. I watched and I wanted what they had.

They had hope in their lives, they had women in their lives, and they had goals in their lives for so many different things. They hadn't given up like me.

So I went to the weekend. (kicking and screaming all the way....... but knowing that I wanted to participate and see what it was all about.)

So much happened that weekend back in May of 2001 I don't know where to begin. I healed, I wept, I saw the love and support of over 200 women being given to me, I gave it to them. We all healed, and we all laughed together. I found the courage to believe in myself. To believe that I deserved to live the life of my dreams. I found the courage to believe in those dreams. To fully live my life. I found out how important relationships are in our life. Where would we be without relationships. We would be alone. I saw how much can be accomplished within a community of women who care about one another.

My whole attitude about life it different. I am open to others. I love meeting new people instead of hiding in my apartment. I am building my dreams step by step. Believing in myself all the way. I am looking for the man of my dreams, and I know that when I am ready he will come. I am building a life for myself that I never before had the courage to do.

Thank you Justin, and thank you all the wonderful women that have touched my life.

Susan C.

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