Dancing with Courage

A Prairie Chicken Awakening for Women Over 50

A Bold Adventure Before Dawn

Determined to witness the prairie chicken’s legendary mating dance, I set out on an adventure that tested both my courage and resilience. Minnesota’s conservation efforts had restored this iconic bird, and I reserved a blind at the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Management Area near Crookston, MN.

The challenge? Arriving two hours before sunrise meant navigating a three-quarter-mile trail through a stormy marsh in complete darkness. Snow, sleet, and ice fell as I trekked alone, guided only by a phone app. Sandhill cranes, geese, and distant fox calls accompanied me as I carried my camera gear into the unknown.

Nature’s Symphony and a Spiritual Awakening

The blind—a small wooden hut with two chairs and viewing windows—soon became my sanctuary. As I waited, the first sounds of nature’s orchestra surrounded me. A faint drumming echoed across the marsh, signaling the arrival of the prairie chickens at their lek.

Their booming, rhythmic dance unfolded before my eyes—an ancient ritual mirrored in Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) traditions with the ceremonial Chicken Dance. In that moment, I felt profoundly grounded, grateful, and alive. Stepping beyond my comfort zone had opened the door to an unforgettable spiritual connection with the earth.

Since that day, I have invited others to witness this sacred dance. It has become more than a wildlife encounter—it is a lesson in bold living, courage, and transformation.

A Call to Women Over 50: Live Boldly and Bloom Courageously

For women over 50, this experience is more than a story—it’s a metaphor. Like the prairie chicken dance, our lives invite us to embrace the unknown, connect deeply with nature, and rise into courage. Reinvention begins when we step outside our comfort zones, daring to live vibrantly and authentically.

Five Activities to Bloom Boldly

Bring the lesson of courage into your own life with these simple, transformative practices. Each one is designed for women over 50 to deepen faith, nurture growth, and embrace bold living.

Rooted in Faith: Sunrise Prayer Walk

Take a pre-dawn walk in your yard or local park. Pause to pray or reflect, naming three things you’re grateful for. Journal how this grounds your faith.
Reflect: How does stillness deepen your spiritual roots?

Nourish to Thrive: Nature-Inspired Snack

Prepare a simple snack—such as fruit drizzled with honey—while reflecting on nature’s abundance. Eat slowly and mindfully, savoring each bite.
Reflect: How does mindful nourishment fuel your courage?

Focus on Earth: Soundscape Meditation

Sit outside for 10 minutes, listening intentionally to the sounds of nature—birds calling, leaves rustling, or wind moving across the earth. Journal one sound that resonates with your growth.
Reflect: How do the rhythms of the earth inspire resilience in you?

Stories that Inspire: Bold Adventure Share

Write a 3–5 sentence story about a time you stepped beyond your comfort zone—perhaps a solo trip or a new beginning. Share it with others and respond to their stories to build connection.
Reflect: How does storytelling spark courage and confidence?

Bloom with Courage: Nature Challenge

Choose one small outdoor adventure this week—walk a new trail, try stargazing, or explore a local park. Journal how it felt to embrace the unknown.
Reflect: How does nature fuel your reinvention?

With grace and courage,
Renee Retzlaff
Women’s Mentor, Coach & Lifestyle Enthusiast

Bloom Where You Are Planted

To see more of my photography that inspires this journey of transformation, visit my gallery here