Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feeling groovy
Ba da-da da-da da-da, feeling groovy
Written by Simon & Garfunkel
For those of you that know the above tune, you are welcome. It will now be your earworm for the day!
On the hot afternoon of Thursday, June 22, 2023, Robert and I headed to The Palisades State Park. Each of us had our own cabin thereby providing ample time for quiet and also interaction and conversation.
What surprised both of us was on Friday, we were so obsessed with what time it was. Constantly asking, what time is it? Only it felt like one of the longest days ever. It was amazing when just sitting and BEing I found myself fidgety. Thankfully by Sunday, time was insignificant and we both could just BE in the flow and calmness of it all.
The weather was AMAZING. A couple of thunderstorms in the night, one during the day and beautiful sunny days. In the shade of the deck it was really comfortable. I love me a good summer thunderstorm, sitting under the roof of the deck as the rain pattered down. It reminded me of my childhood, those dark cloudy summer days, lightning then the loud thunder vibrating throughout my body. Nothing else to do but sit and be.
There was a robin that was always around, well, actually, I’ve had a robin around most of the summer so far. Regardless where I am, there appears a robin. Not sure if it’s the same robin as I’ve seen it at the Palisades, Falls Park and at home to name a few.
Spiritual Meaning of Robin
With this in mind, the significance of seeing a robin is seen as a sign of new beginnings and renewal. By the same token, robins appear spiritually, reminding us to uncover happiness. As noted above, these red-breasted birds are associated with entering a new chapter in life.
We also saw, damsel flies or darning needles, flies, blue jays, a bunny, cardinal and heard many birds singing. At one point Robert was having a whistling conversation with a bird, it was fun to hear the banter back and forth. Not sure what was all being said but it did go on for a while! What we didn’t have was mosquitos, what a wonderful reprieve!
Robert read out loud the last couple of chapters of a book called “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankel. Frankl claims that there are three ways to find meaning in life: through work, through love, and through suffering. The part Robert read out loud to me went deep within my soul and I found myself sobbing. It was about the Auschwitz concentration camp, the mindset of survival and staying present and positive in the face of major adversity. Something within me needed releasing. Have you had anyone read out loud to you lately? Do you remember being in school and the teacher reading? Oh, how I would get lost in the story. The other day I encouraged a client to read to her grandchildren, especially the early-teens and teenagers. Whatever they may be reading, ask if you can read out loud for them. It’s such a bonding time.
My soas muscle has been acting up for awhile now and it was not conducive for me to do much hiking, however, Robert was able to be out and about and took some amazing photos. We explored the Jesse James famous jump that is located by Garretson, South Dakota. It’s a pretty interesting tale. Just being in nature was so clearing and cleansing!
We had a fire each evening and enjoyed food cooked via the fire. From vegetables & brats to nachos and of course s’mores it was truly yummy!
Do you get mesmerized by fire like I do? I can sit and watch it dance, growing bigger and smaller and dancing all about. We used colored packets filled with a variety of chemicals to throw in the fire to create red, blue, purple, green and yellow colors, it was so fun to watch the colors change. So beautiful.
It was Saturday when the clouds and weather combined for perfect cloud watching. As a child, I loved to lay on the grass (now on a yoga mat) and watch the clouds morph and change to new images. I saw everything from a goat, to a unicorn, bunny, and dog.
A retreat is not complete for me if I don’t play with herbs, fire, stones/crystals and oracle cards! AND, art, always creating art! This is a time for me to go within, to quiet the chatter and listen/feel the messages that are trying to get to me. I set intentions and really allow myself to go deep into peace.
In the middle of Sunday night/Monday morning I was able to see the stars so clear that I took pictures! So gorgeous and reminder of how small we are.
Arriving back home on Monday I felt relaxed, a little tired (ready to sleep in my bed) and most of all at peace. Words fall short of what this experience meant to me. This is also the first time I’ve had someone with me and I found myself open to the experience and releasing expectations. I will be processing and referring to this retreat for months to come.
I’ve received feedback from a few people and how they plan to take time for themselves in a variety of different ways. What a delight to hear! As I said previously, even taking an hour away from everything can do wonders for your mental health, your nervous system and your inner peace.
Questions to ponder for the week. How do I connect with the inner peace I have within? What ways can I quiet myself so that I can tap into it? What expedition do I need to create to discover this inner peace? One layer at a time, quieting and sometimes releasing a layer to get to the core, so worth the exploration!
