| Nothing can change your perspective, recharge | | | | A music festival in a park |
| your batteries, and jump start your creative | | | | Prepare: |
| problem solving like a retreat! | | | | Take a good novel for reading, and 2 or 3 books |
| Do you fit one or more of these categories? | | | | for browsing or inspiring your creativity. (I'll |
| 1. Business is slow. You need to find more | | | | recommend some at the end of this article.) |
| markets, more prospects, and more money | | | | Pack a journal and your favorite pen |
| coming in ...fast! | | | | Splurge on a set of colored pencils, water colors, |
| 2. You are caring for elderly parents, managing | | | | or markers, white paper, a camera and film |
| their bills, doctor's appointments, and | | | | Make sure you have good walking shoes and |
| pharmaceutical needs. | | | | clothes for exercise |
| 3. Your kids need more energy than you have to | | | | When you are there, explore! One of the |
| offer...fast food is a regular occurrence and you | | | | important activities recommended by Julie |
| often grocery shop or do laundry at midnight. | | | | Cameron in The Artists Way is exploring. |
| Take a retreat! | | | | Exploring encourages the practice of looking at life |
| Whether life is a grind with your career going | | | | differently: discovering new thinking patterns, |
| no-where or you run at a fast, results-oriented | | | | inspecting details, experiencing awe and delight. |
| pace, a retreat offers an opportunity to | | | | What a great way to jumpstart one's problem |
| rejuvenate your energy and key into your | | | | solving function. |
| wisdom. | | | | Exploring can take many forms: |
| Why not? | | | | Nature: cave exploring, hiking, walking on the |
| Lack of time or money presents a strong reason | | | | beach, snorkling |
| to do it. The benefits of a retreat are multiple. | | | | Arts of a region (including music, architecture, |
| You can:gain a new perspective on your lifesolve | | | | theater) |
| problems on a subconscious levelbirth new ideas, | | | | History (Cemeteries, museums) |
| dreams, and strategiesfeel deeply fed on a | | | | Cook for each other |
| physically emotionally and spirituallyreturn | | | | Even though I get sick and tired of cooking for |
| energized, motivated, relaxed and inspired | | | | my picky family, I love to cook for woman friend |
| Many creative people take retreats on a regular | | | | when I am relaxed. Cook as a creative |
| basis. A nationally known speaker actually books a | | | | expression. |
| cruise for the purpose of writing a book! In The | | | | Try something new: |
| Dance of the Dissident Daughter, author Sue | | | | A retreat with my 12 year old son included playing |
| Monk Kidd describes her own retreats as a way | | | | games. Since our camping trip had been |
| of taking a spiritual journey...of finding herself and | | | | discouraged by a weeklong rain, we took our |
| exploring her beliefs. My friend, author Ann | | | | retreat at Grandma's house where he taught me |
| Tyndall, used to hole up in a mountain cabin to | | | | to play hearts on the computer. It was fun sitting |
| write her book when the research was finished. I | | | | with my son who acted as my strategy |
| know a group of women friends who get away | | | | consultant. I gained a new appreciation for how he |
| every year to laugh together and review life's | | | | thinks, his offbeat sense of humor, and his sweet, |
| challenges. | | | | affectionate way of making me feel special. |
| Overcome your obstacles: | | | | Exercise a lot |
| Checking into an expensive spa may be a retreat | | | | Make time to ponder questions |
| for some, but in my experience, some of the | | | | Whether you are asking yourself questions in a |
| best retreats were on a shoestring. " Ask your | | | | journal or sharing with a friend, enjoy this |
| senior services agency for suggestions as to | | | | opportunity to explore your values and insights. |
| places that offer short respit stay for elderly | | | | Some good questions might include: |
| parents; we used a wonderful place when my dad | | | | What has been the most fulfilling aspect of my |
| was ill; later as he digressed, he stayed at Hospice | | | | career? |
| House for a weekend. " Schedule your retreat for | | | | What has been a peak experience in my life? |
| when the kids are at camp " Set up a swap with | | | | How can I help others facing challenges like I have |
| another family...you keep their kids for a few | | | | had? |
| days, they'll keep yours. Or settle your kids into | | | | What do I want to change about my current |
| more than one home. They will survive. | | | | situation? |
| Determine your objectives: | | | | A few of my recommended resources for a |
| Obviously, if you are writing, you need a lot of | | | | retreat: |
| alone time. | | | | The Artist's Way Julia Cameron |
| If you want nurturing and refueling, you might | | | | Any book by SARK |
| choose a companion, such as a woman friend you | | | | The Woman's Retreat Book by Jennifer Louden |
| enjoy or haven't seen in a while. | | | | The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Ander |
| Make sure you have an opportunity to exercise in | | | | and Benjamin Zander |
| a way that suits you. | | | | Living Color by Natalie Goldberg |
| Make a list of areas you need clarity on, or | | | | The Womanly Art of Alligator Wrestling by Ana |
| situations you want to resolve | | | | Tampanna |
| Choose your location. I've had marvelous retreats | | | | There you have it...now pick up your calendar, |
| in a variety of places: | | | | identify two possible retreat times, and start |
| A tent in the mountains | | | | making it happen. You have everything to gain |
| A friend's mountain cabin | | | | and very little to lose. In addition to gaining |
| A seaside motel | | | | insights, new perspectives, and energy, the most |
| My mother's house | | | | important motivation for taking a retreat is that |
| A Montana lodge | | | | you will gain is a deeper relationship with someone |
| A forest clearing (for a one day retreat) | | | | special: yourself! |