I’m Retreating – With Gratitude

I’ve been hearing a voice lately.

It’s telling me I need to go on a solo retreat.

I’ve thought about doing this many times before and always let something  – or many somethings – get in the way.   I lead a pretty busy life and had put a retreat on my “some day” list. (Sound familiar?)

Well, tomorrow is my some day and I am filled with excitement and anticipation as to what I will experience.   Truth be told, I’m also a little nervous.  I’ve never done one of these before.  I’m not someone who regularly leaves her home to go deep into the woods and live silently for days on end.  Maybe it’s the word “silent” that has me a bit on edge.  (My hubby can attest to the fact that I am rarely silent. What can I say, I like to chat!)

A few months ago, I heard this voice – the same voice that told me to be proactive and have my breasts removed – and all it said was, “You need to go on a solo retreat”, and it kept saying it.  I heard this over and over again and interestingly enough, it was around the same time that I was doing some research on locations for upcoming women’s retreats I will be leading in 2014.

Coincidence?

Nope.  Don’t believe in them.

I’ve had lots of practice hearing this voice. When I was younger, I didn’t know the difference between it and any other voice in my head.  They all just mushed together into a lot of chatter.  I spent many years looking outward for answers and something to “fix” me.  More recently, with each birthday that passes a beautiful thing is happening:  I’m hearing that lovely voice more and more and listening to the other negative voices less and less.  I think that’s one of the many gifts of aging – I’ve learned to recognize, listen to and trust my inner wise self.

So I’m packing just a few comfy clothes, candles, music, books, my fav tea and snacks and heading out on an adventure in stillness. I will be staying in a small cabin in the woods where I will snuggle in and have my meals delivered to me in a picnic basket, wrapped to stay warm, take long walks in the woods and breathe in the beauty that surrounds me.

The gratitude I feel for this gift of retreating into myself is immense.

Gratitude.

We’ll be talking about this all month long. It’s essential to a life well lived. It’s so important that I’ve dedicated an entire month – 30 Days of Gratitude – and the practice of it on my Facebook page.  I’d love for you to join me and hundreds of other worthy women in our daily practice of being thankful.

Gratitude – it’s not just for holidays.

It’s a daily, hourly, minute-to-minute feeling that opens hearts and allows abundance.

Thank you for opening your heart to me and allowing me to come into your mailbox each week.

I am grateful for the gift of you in my life.