Retreat, an act or process of withdrawing, especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable.
As I was pondering how I was going to write this week’s article, it came into my memory of how I used to do a mini-day retreat as a child. This makes me a giggle a bit, as many adults would think, what does she need to get away from as a child? I know I was in grade school, just not sure what age. I would pack a lunch, get on my bike and head to the library. I remember eating my lunch out in the entry area. It was my personal get away.
I’ve attended many different retreats through the years. Many of them were associated with the church I attended in my 30’s. They were a nice way to connect within myself and delve deeper into my spirituality. Blue Cloud Abbey located near Marvin, South Dakota (NE South Dakota) was one place in particular that holds a special place in my heart.
In the past five years I started to take my own retreat and stay in one of the State Park cabins. I’ve been to Newton Hills located near Canton, South Dakota, Big Sioux Recreation Area in Brandon, and this year visiting the Palisades near Garretson for a second time. As you read this I am currently at the cabin on day four of five!
You may ask, Heidi, you are single, what are you retreating from? I like to really connect with nature and put myself in a place that forces me to not get distracted. You see, if I’m home, I will get myself to do other things, watch television, get on my phone, clean, pretty much anything else but be present. Too many things to grab my attention.
So, I pack up art supplies, my journal, books I’ve been wanting to read, food and linens and I retreat. I never know
what I will experience, and I don’t have expectations of what I’m to fulfill. I do desire to become more present, to allow myself the uncomfortableness of decompressing, to getting used to silence and the sounds of nature. I look forward to going to the bathroom in the middle of the night because, I get to look up at the sky and be in awe of the stars and just how little I am in the big scheme of things.
Robert is coming along this time. He has his own cabin and while we will do things together, there will also be opportunities for alone time. I am really looking forward to experiencing this retreat in just a little bit different way.
Have you ever considered a retreat for yourself? Even just a day retreat? You know you will need to schedule it and not just random think it will happen. Some suggestions, if there is a library you’ve never been to, a park, a museum or even a coffee shop. There is a coffee shop in Tea that I want to go to for a mini-retreat to just hang out.
What to do on the retreat? Write (look up journal prompts), color, read, get a poetry book and find poetry that resonates with you, create a collage, or listen to meditation music. Create a mini meal that is just special for the retreat. Create memories that you can then call upon when you get caught up in the whirlwind of life.
If you want further suggestions of where to go and what to do, reply to this email.
This week’s pondering thought – if I were to get away, where would I get away to for a day, a week, a month? In what ways could I utilize this time to connect more with myself and nature?
