Tomorrow I am taking a single vacation day from work. Combined with my two regular days off (which I take whenever possible), I have 3 days off -- a nice chunk of time to be away from church work. No, it's not as good as a week with my family, or two weeks in Buffalo or Italy (let's see, all other things being equal, how could I choose between Buffalo and Italy?). But it's time away. I have planned my time in the past, when I've scheduled time off. But this time I played. I scheduled the whole three days. I designed a retreat. I have allowed for art, reading, writing, nature, and lots of fun time, too. I printed myself an elegant program of offerings. After I playfully designed it for myself, I thought that it might be something others would enjoy. Of course, if I really had the space for others here in my home, (well, I do have 3 guest beds, but work space is at a minimum, unless I use the church hall, too), I might build in more options and flexibility. But this is how I will spend my next 3 days:
Download a_life_of_the_mind_retreat.doc
It is a MS Word document. I can't seem to import multiple pages directly. I hope you'll take a look at it. For me, it's perfect. Some comments: I've begun eating oatmeal daily for breakfast, and find it delicious (with the fruit added) and filling. I prefer the steel-cut oats to rolled oats, but am using up a very old box of rolled oats before I resume the delicious steel-cut ones. Making oatmeal with milk (even lowfat) ratheer than water certainly kicks it up a notch, as Emeril would say. Certainly for more than one person, I'd have to incorporate more breakfast options, though it would never be a buffet! Of course I incorporated my current art and reading projects. And I love to watch TV (Friday night is a very good TV night). We have the luxury in this town of a yoga studio and teacher that people come to from miles around. She spent years studying and India and teaching in New York City before she relocated here to be near her parents, who retired here. What a gift my teacher (dare I call her a guru? Maybe not!) is!
Even though I have no immediate plans to offer this private and personal retreat to others, I'd love your feedback. Is this something you'd attend? How would you change it, if you could? What parts particularly engage you? I only ask because I began by designing something that would appeal to only me (since I'm the only one on this retreat). But I know I love providing quiet days for my parish, even to the small number who attend. It occurred to me that this is something I'd travel and probably pay big bucks to attend, especially if I got my exquisite massage therapist to come in and offer massage to participants who chose to purchase it.
At any rate, it was great fun. I intend to put my schedule into a folder and luxuriate in it. I will not think of work one time. I will emerge feeling as though I'd had a vacation at the shore. And I welcome your constructive feedback!
What, no breaking into small discussion groups?
If you ever want to pick up extra income, try writing menus. I'm salivating, and I just had breakfast. Your retreat sounds wonderful and I am ashamed to say there is nothing to prevent me living most of my days this way. I just don't, and I suppose this is why the structure of retreats works.
Posted by: Beryl Ament | February 29, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I agree with Beryl, Ann. This sounds absolutely wonderful and it sounds like your retreat has opened up something in you; I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. I love your Virgin of Guadalupe. I have a carved one in my garden. I think your retreat schedule sounds wonderful, but I agree that discussion might take place, too, if it were given in a group. I adore the idea of antiquing and thrifting--so one could find objects to alter. I'm totally addicted to that pastime. I have not read Tolle's book and I didn't sign up for the class. I will get the book, however. My spiritual director just loaned me the six DVD set of Spiritual Literacy. Have you seen any of this? The Brussat's, I think.
Hope your rain/snow doesn't get out of hand. It's time for that spring greening. I am making a green themed card--and you just gave me me my title: Season 1: Spring. Hey, that means three more seasons.
Your life is a busy one, Ann. I'm surprised you post as much as you do. As for me, I'm addicted.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | March 08, 2008 at 02:27 AM
Oh, I forgot to say that I like your new green theme on the blog. Is that one of the new templates?
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | March 08, 2008 at 02:28 AM
Your retreat sounds so nurturing and luxurious and altogether delightful. If I had the money and you gave a public retreat, I would be there in a heartbeat, especially since I would love to see your countryside. I especially loved the part about naps permissible and early bed-time encouraged. That would suit me to a t!
When I read it I thought I should make up my own weekend retreat syllabus. But no, it would read: do laundry, mop, clean, do errands, etc. But in between there are little retreat, not weekends, but moments and even hours!
I hope it was wonderful.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | March 17, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Just popped in - redirecting from Fran's blog - and i have to say I think your idea for planning a retreat for yourself is so cool! I have downloaded it and will definitely use it for my own benefit!
Have you devised the reading list for the Sacred Feminine yet, Ann? If so, I would certainly like to see it. I find myself surrounded by feminist theologians at Winchester, one of whose books I am deeply delved into at the moment - "The Fat Jesus" by Lisa Isherwood. This book - it speak the Truth! (Don't let the title put you off - it makes many good points about how our body image is influenced by the
embodied Jesus that has been propagated through the art of the centuries. Also looks at Christian weight loss schemes - whoa! A whole other ball game - your hair will stand on end.
Good to visit with you, Ann!
Posted by: Roz Cawley | March 27, 2008 at 01:47 PM