Well I've returned from the silent retreat, renewed, refreshed, and ready to take on the world. O.K. maybe not the world, but certainly my life. It was an amazing experience. Meditating, praying, singing/chanting (that part wasn't silent). Time to exercise, time to draw (thanks again Patches for suggesting the drawing pad), time to pray.
The food was divine. I can honestly say that I have never tasted better food anywhere in my whole life! It was all vegetarian (which was great for me). The first night we had bowtie pesto pasta with baby tomatoes. I have to tell you, these were the best tasting tomatoes I have ever had... Sweet, juicy...delectable. They served a salad with fresh veggies, in which each veggie was colorful, crisp, and full of flavor. Each meal after that one, was even better than the one before. As I sit here and write this, I am salivating at the memory of how the food tasted.
I slept better than I've slept in years! Waking up before the alarm, feeling refreshed, and ready to start the day. It is hard for me to believe that it was only two days...the peace, and calm I currently feel certainly had to have taken months or years to achieve, yet it was only two days (wow).
For me, the challenge will be to maintain that calm when dealing with the realities of my life. I have always pictured a cool mountain lake, when I have wanted to find a calm, quiet place in which to go, now I can picture the retreat.
Twelve, my mom, and my dog were happy to see me. DH and Ten are at a movie, and don't even know that I've returned, (how's that for being able to gradually acclimate back into my life)... DH and Ten should be home soon, so I will post this now...and visit all of your blogs to catch up on what's been happening for the past few day. I can't wait.
About Me
- Lynn
- I'm a mom, the primary care giver for my elderly mother, and I work 24 hours/week. I'm tired. I need to sleep. That about sums it up.
Someday...
...I'll make time to recharge my batteries
Why I am so tired...
I"d Like To Thank The Academy...
19 comments:
I am so happy it was a great experience for you. I don't know how you can keep the spirit going but I know you will give it a very strong effort.
I just want to know how you did with the silent parts??? How much time was spent in silence?
I'm glad you had a good time, sounds wonderful.
It sounds like time well spent. Good to have you back!
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time and that it was worth it. And that you got good sleep!
Welcome back!
Welcome home. I'm glad you had a great time. Might have to try that myself one day.
I can't imagine me being quiet all weekend...but if you can do it...
The Moose Buyer - The silence part was not as hard as I thought it would be...(whew).
Deb - It really was wonderful.
Patches - It definitely was time well spent...I wish it could have gone on longer...yet it's also good to be back.
Arm - The sleep that I got was amazing...need to figure out what made it so. (probably lack of clutter at the retreat)
Renee - I would highly recommend a retreat...and believe me, if I could be quiet...anyone can be quiet...just ask my sister, she'll tell you how much I love to talk.
WOOHOO! Lynn's back! Yay... I'm glad you had a nice time and you had some good food and relaxation. Now you can use some of those techniques for everyday life. Keep picturing the cool mountain lakes and if you forget, c'mon over to my blog, have many pictures of them. I can even tell in your writings you seem a little more calmer... welcome back Lynn!
Wow, what a wonderful post! Welcome back ~ I also am happy to read you had such a great experience. I was thinking about you...
As I said before, I would love the no talking part. I am a pretty quiet type.
The food sounded great.
I want to know more, when you get a chance.
Rose does seem to appreciate our visits. She comes running to the door when we go in and hugs us while purring madly.
Last night as we started going from the door to the living room she ran full steam to beat us there...purring the whole time.
She still keeps looking toward the door for when her Mom & Sister will be home, but she plays with DD and me and allows lots of snuggles. We've been trying our best to make sure she gets lots of exercise so she'll stay out of trouble while we're gone. I know that cats require 27 hours of sleep per day ;) so we make the best of when she's awake.
Welcome home...I missed you (and your phone calls)! Won't we be a pair...you'll have your eyes closed visualizing the retreat for a sense of calm and I'll have my eyes closed visualizing my airplane making a safe smooth landing. Ahhhhh.......
So glad you had such peaceful experience. Welcome back.
Waking up BEFORE the alarm clock and being happy about it. That does sound wonderful!
Glad you enjoyed it.
How great that you had such an amazing time when you were hesitant to go.
Something to tell the kids.
Michele - Thanks. It is good to be back. I go over to your blog quite often just to look at the pictures, you really do live in a beautiful area.
Patti - For once, words escape me...the retreat experience was so amazing, that I can't seem to find the words to adequately convey what the retreat meant to me.
Renee - It sure didn't take you and Darly any time at all to win Rose over.
Joan - Thanks...I'll visualize the smoothe landing with you.
Marsha - Thanks, it was very peaceful.
Natalie - Sometimes during the week, I'll wake up before the alarm goes off, but I'm usually grumpy about having to go to work. It was wonderful waking up happy and excited.
Meno - I have regaled the whole family with how incredible it was. Twelve will leave for a week long 'Youth Retreat' the end of June. She went last year and loved it so much that she can't wait to go again this year. Her stories helped motivate me to go on this retreat.
Welcome back and glad the retreat was such a good experience!
Pam - Thanks. Hope all of your happy distractions are going well...I miss reading your posts. (I still check your blog daily, patiently awaiting your return:~)
You mean there is more to keeping score than just CO has 6 and St Louis has 0 ?
The game had one error...CO was at bat & the batter had one of those fouls that pops backward toward the catcher...the catcher missed it and the guy on 3rd got home. I had to explain that to DD, cuz she was wondering why everyone was screaming. hee hee it was good screaming.
Hey, the weekend turned out much better than anticipated. Good call on going then.
Renee - Isn't baseball the greatest?
Egan - Yep the weekend exceeded my expectations...and much of what I was scared of, didn't come to pass.
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