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Tuesday, September 04, 2007

DIY Retreats

Hi everyone. I'm Amanda from over at Creative DC, a friend of Kimberly's and a member of the Tranquil Space Foundation steering committee. I'll be guest blogging for Kimberly this week while she's away in Costa Rica, leading what sounds like an absolutely amazing yoga and creativity retreat. I'm honored that she's asked me to fill in for her.

So raise your hand if you wish you were in Costa Rica this week. Yep - me too. I went with Kimberly on the retreat she led in Tobago a couple of years back, and it stands out as one of the best weeks of my entire life: twice daily yoga practices, afternoons at the beach, delicious vegetarian meals...and heaps (to use a use a Kimberly word) of time by myself.

But now for a pep talk: While nothing can substitute for the experience of traveling, you don't need to leave town to give yourself the experience of a retreat. Case in point: last night, I found myself waiting 30 minutes for the bus to come, and turned that into 30 minutes of journal writing, soaking in the sights and sounds of my neighborhood as evening fell on the last night of a holiday weekend.

Now, is this the same as a week in tropical paradise? Of course not. But it buoyed me, gave me a surge of energy that comes from taking time out for yourself to revel in whatever strikes your fancy.

If a bus stop can be a retreat - just think of the possibilities!

Here are some ideas:
  • Busboys and Poets
  • Rock Creek Park
  • The Kahlil Gibran Memorial on Massachusetts Avenue
  • Teaism
  • The National Arboretum
  • A restaurant you've been wanting to try
  • Your backyard
...and of course, Tranquil Space :).

So grab your journal, sketchbook, camera, and find an hour to take yourself to one of these spots. Turn off your cell phone, and revel in indulging your need for solitude. Feel free to go further - design an entire retreat day for yourself. Share your ideas using the Comments feature below.

Have fun!

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1 comment:

Kan said...

Greetings Amanda, I am also happy you are substituting for Kimberly. I visit the site everday for my daily dose of inspiration and I'm glad you were able to administer it. Over the holiday weekend A friend and I had the most inexpensive mini retreat possible. We started out at the Washington Monument @ 8:30 pm, next the World War II Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial and a stroll through the park with sketch book & camera in hand. It was so beautiful to see the illuminating glow from the lights shining on the the Monument & the Capital against the dark sky. I reflected on this famous scene that has been featured in so many movies, books, postcards, and the scene that hundreds of people come to see daily.
There were also others sketching, taking pics and just being there in that moment. I left with same amount of money I came with, created a sketch, wrote a new journal entry and took several pictures. It was Priceless! Thanks again Amanda!
Namaste, Kandice