Useful Gatherings with Irene Kulbacki

04/26/2026

Friday morning’s awe walk in the woods🪾

04/22/2026

“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.”— Terry Tempest Williams

This is your chance to connect to the earth and curate a retreat experience based on your desires. A few spots remain for Useful Gatherings Asbury retreat. To be held May 29 - May 31 on the beautiful shores of Silver Lake, New York.

https://usefulgatherings.com/asbury-retreat

Have a blessed Earth Day,
Irene

03/27/2026

Today’s Gifts from the Sea🐚🦐🦪🦀

02/21/2026

The great debate, spiritual or religious? Would love your thoughts on my latest blog.

According to the latest 2024 Pew data, approximately 70% of U.S. adults (predominantly women) refer to themselves as "spiritual” in some way. Forty-Eight percent of U.S. adults identify as being both spiritual and religi...

02/11/2026

A Boutique Yoga & Wellness Retreat in Silver Lake, NY

Join Useful Gatherings with Irene Kulbacki and escape to the peaceful shores of Silver Lake, NY for an intimate sanctuary designed to help you release your burdens and reclaim your joy. This is more than a getaway - it’s a curated weekend of daily movement, deep connection, and the clarity that comes when you finally put yourself first.

WHO: For individuals who are looking for effective ways to guide their spiritual growth and reconnect with themselves.

WHERE: Asbury Retreat Center | 16 Lakeside Ave, Silver Lake, NY

WHEN: Friday, May 29th, 2026 – Sunday, May 31st, 2026

For more information visit…
https://usefulgatherings.com/asbury-retreat

01/05/2026

Choosing You, Soul and All

As we emerge from the festivities of late 2025, many of us are familiar with that jarring moment on the scale—the realization that the stuffing, the cookies, and the celebratory toasts have left our bodies feeling almost unrecognizable. It’s easy to let guilt take the wheel, but this year, I am approaching things with a different kind of “knowing.”

Instead of a fleeting January 1st resolution that withers by February, I am committing to a lasting change: the practice of putting myself first, every single day. This isn’t about restriction; it’s about celebration. It’s about enjoying every sip and bite with friends, without the shadow of shame, while honoring the vessel that carries us. Anne Lamott reminds us that health shouldn’t be a battleground for our self-worth.

“There are ways to improve your health that do not harm your soul. Eat as healthfully as you can, and maybe exercise a bit more, and make sure to wear pants that do not hurt our thighs or your feelings. Doing a three-minute meditation every day won’t hurt. Naps are nice.” — Anne Lamott

In 2026, let’s choose a path that improves our health without harming our souls. Let’s wear the comfortable pants, take the naps, and choose ourselves—not as a chore, but as an act of love.

“If your body was no longer a project to be fixed, but a dear friend to be cared for, how would your daily choices change? What is one ‘soul-nourishing’ way you can choose yourself today that has absolutely nothing to do with guilt and everything to do with joy?”

01/02/2026

The Call to Bliss

As we step into 2026, I find myself looking backward to move forward. The latter half of 2025 was a season of quiet excavation for me—a time spent wandering through the stories of my childhood. What I expected to be a difficult task turned into an abundant flow of memories, each one a thread in the tapestry of who I am today.

I’ve found myself returning to the wisdom of Joseph Campbell and his iconic “Call to Adventure.” He taught us that “bliss” isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it is a compass. Following our bliss requires us to strip away the restrictions and the “shoulds” we’ve accumulated as adults and return to the things that once left us totally absorbed—the moments where we lost track of time. Your stories are your truth, and within them lies the map to your own Hero’s Journey.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” — Joseph Campbell

Our personal journeys are here to teach us how to move away from the expectations of others and toward the things we are most passionate about. By looking back, we find the courage to step through the doors
the universe is opening for us now.

“If you could strip away every external expectation ever placed on you, what activity or curiosity would still make you lose track of time? What story from your childhood is currently knocking on the door of your heart, asking you to follow it into your next great adventure?”

12/31/2025

A Message for the Journey Ahead

The past year has been a profound masterclass in the art of connection for me. I’ve found myself surrounded by a beautiful tapestry of friends—new souls, old anchors, and people of all ages and walks of life.

Yet, as we move into 2026, I am struck by how fragile these bonds can be.

Change is inevitable; people shift, and dynamics evolve. It is often easier to let silence grow or to hesitate before reaching out, fearing the discomfort or the risk of rejection.

But as seekers, we know that these soulful, honest connections are not just luxuries—they are the very fuel that allows us to thrive through life’s unexpected twists. When we choose to simply walk beside one another, the peace of that presence far outweighs the risk of the “reach out.”

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” — Albert Camus

As you reflect on your own “inner circle” and the many shapes friendship takes in your life:

What is one “uncomfortable” reach-out you feel guided to make this year—and what part of your spirit is waiting to be replenished by that simple act of courage?

12/28/2025

Anne Lamont’s thoughts on dieting✨

12/22/2025

Integrative modalities such as yoga have been effective in reducing the side effects of cancer and cancer related treatments. I am honored to have gone through the Y4C (Yoga 4 Cancer) training program. Watch the attached video on the effectiveness of integrative modalities as opposed to or in addition to conventional medicine.

12/21/2025

May the darkness that falls upon you, lead you towards the light. Have a blessed and peaceful solstice✨🙏🏼

12/15/2025

Accurate…

Nothing has been ruined, and there is no such thing as failing... let go, in a moment, and begin again.