I returned home Saturday evening from a Tranquility Soul Purpose retreat. I was one of the speakers. I had a wonderful time and some real fun. We were at Lipi Campground and it was so peaceful and quiet. The only sounds were the water running down stream and one bird overhead in one of the trees, that started out singing his sung slow and kept getting faster, louder and more excited as he continued his melody. I never saw him.
This was a three-day retreat, but I asked to be there for just the one day because of my husband was still having some bad days in which he didn’t feel well. It was a good thing I did not spend the night because it was cold when I arrived that morning. I can only imagine what the night was like and I knew I would not have prepared properly.
I had breakfast cooked on a grill and everything just smelled heavenly and outdoorsy. After breakfast, gifts were exchanged and then we decided to go for a walk and do some sightseeing.
We walked along the stream, climbing over rocks and taking pictures. The trees were so tall, it seemed as if they touched the sky. The air was clean and crisp and the only smell was of nature, the trees and a few flowers.
The restrooms were real outhouses. A toilet stool placed over a hole in the ground. The smell was awful. This was the first time I have used an outhouse since I was a kid when we lived with my grandparents on a farm with no electricity or other modern conveniences.
Speaking of conveniences, there was no Wi-Fi. No making phone calls or checking Facebook or posting of any kind. I did miss using my gadgets, but it was also good to be free of the pressure of dealing with phone calls and what should I put on social media. I felt free to be me, to just relax and enjoy the companionship of the people around me.
Maria taught us how to make something we could burn to release tension, stress, and any bad karma around us. I forget what it is called, but I loved the smell. Especially the lavender. Smudging, I think is the name.
Christina and Melissa shared some of their techniques to help individuals relieve the aches and pain they may not realize are the real problems with their health.
I learned about flowers and plants and their uses in our everyday life and we can benefit from their use.
Through all of this, Frank remained our supportive and silent protector. He was the only male in the group and handled much of the heavy lifting and took us on our guided walk to see the amazing scenery.
I had a wonderful time and I recommend you go on one of these nature trips. Maybe join us next year for an experience you will not soon forget.
Until next time, take care. lw
Beautiful narrative. I finally arrived here. More to come. Next year I shall participate. Good journeys to come. Leonor