Nomad, 15x30" finished September 6, 2006This is an old painting, but I thought it appropriate because of the nomadic theme. For the month of September, I was on a 'forced retreat.' I think that may be a dream come true for a number of us. The Woman's Retreat Book was one of the books I had with me. It describes itself as a "comfort" book. Sometimes we don't want scads of advice, so much as comfort. So I didn't get to read all of it- but that's ok the book says. It encourages choosing what you want from it like a buffet. Perhaps you don't have time to retreat. It offers retreat suggestions that take 15 minutes. Can't afford a retreat? It has great ideas on making your home feel 'retreatable' so you're taking the time you need for you and not sneaking in a load of laundry. There's even a special section called "Feeding the Artist" to boost creativity. My big issue (issue? could be even more like a phobia, lol) was the "what if I get bored?" As claimed the book offered comfort so when the boredom hit I just rode it out like a wave. I found out boredom is not so scary or inefficient. In three weeks, I had about 2 minutes of uncomfortable boredom. The resulting peace helped me to get needed rest and relaxation.
This photo was taken when I was playing around with my spouse guy's mac. I thought I'd be able to photograph some of my sketches in the photobooth but they looked awful. That lead to playing around in photoshop for the first time and noticing the interesting lines in the tent. Luck would have it that the sun came out for a moment and I got a composition that I liked. I'm pretending to be enlightened, heh, heh and really that's the whole point of a retreat. Umm, enlightenment that is. Not pretending to be. Ah well...
9 comments:
Now THAT sounds like heaven. I wish I could commit myself to a retreat.
It sounds wonderful and I like the photo!
: )
the picture is beautiful..and i like the 2nd picture even more :D happy weekend Shayla :D
Even if you were pretending I'm sure it was beneficial. They say, Fake it til you make it and it very often works. I like your enlightened moment photo and the book sounds rather good.
oh and your painting...how could I forget....it's absolutely beautiful. I love, love, love it!
a fabulous reminder to just stop for a bit each day - thanks - love the photo of you in your retreat camper!
Ooh, the nomad in me just wants to snake on down that path in your painting ;-)
Wonderful post, Shayla! The photo of you is very ethereal...as is your painting! I like the idea of creating at-home retreats, and I try to do this on occasion...giving myself mini-retreats for yoga or creating, say over a weekend. I feel it helps after a busy week especially to be kind to oneself. I think retreat has come to mean expensive getaways of one sort or another. But being clever in making up one's own retreat on one's own time, money and terms is a great thing--this book sounds like a nice aid in making space in one's life for expanding time for one's self, healing, pursuits, etc. With autumn here and the natural world retreating to rest for winter, retreat time for us humans sounds good too! Happy Days, my friend (HUGS))
What a beautiful picture! It looks like religious icons - yes, enlighting!
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