"Going on a retreat" usually conjures up images of remote, sometimes exotic, locations for anywhere from a weekend to a month. When we can't afford the time away or the cost (or we've already used up all our holiday time) we can still derive some of the benefit by finding ways to
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| My favourite "retreat" photo |
retreat and renew in our everyday lives.
I'm sure you could find at least one amongst this "Top 10" list that might just give you what you need from a retreat............
1. Spend a day doing what you love, not what you must. Paint, poke around the architectural salvage yard, take a book to the park - anything but what's on your to-do list.
2. Fast for a day. Fasting reminds us of the bounty of food available to us. It also lets the body rest from the busy-ness of digesting.
3. Spend a day in the garden. Or the container pots. Or a community garden. Anything to get your hands in the earth.
4. Go for a hike. Even an hour of one-on-one time with Mother Nature can reap huge relaxation dividends.
5. Spend a whole morning in bed - all day even!
6. Do a media fast for a week. Turn off all input-TV, radio, stereo, newspaper, Internet, videos, books-and see what insights "tune in."
7. Get a massage in your home. Follow that with down-time and the R&R is complete.
8. Take a long, hot bath. Candlelight, bath salts and wine optional.
9. Abstain from speaking. Silence leads to inwardness, even in the midst of family life.
10. Take a nap. These are especially delicious when strategically placed in your day.
With the Paralympic Games jsut around the corner, the Olympic spirit is still around...the perfect opportunity to revist the questions from last month:
