Hello, Welcome to Marcia’s Cottage. I’m so happy to see you today my friend. ..♡How’s your weekend going. … are you doing anything special? Perhaps your getting ready for a Super Bowl party! (Big smile)
I’ve been away on a women’s retreat this weekend. It’s held at a beautiful retreat house on the outskirts of San Marino. This is the 11 th year I’ve attended. Many of my friends find it AMAZINGLY humorous that I attend a silent retreat. A few of them can’t believe that it’s really silent. ♡shhhh… Can I share a little secret? It REALLY is. ♡
I guess I should tell you that the first time I attended this retreat, I didn’t know it was silent. And when I found out…. well, I was a little FREAKED! After all, how could someone who enjoyed “talking” as much as I did be able to even do such a thing? (wide smile) Before attending this retreat, I had been on other retreats. Actually some might call me a retreat snob (giggle, giggle) In high school there were many youth group retreats.
One of the most “awakening” youth retreats was called Cursillo. I will always be grateful to the wonderful couple that sponsored me for that weekend. I was 19 years old. To this day I re-call a song I learned. It was called “De Colores”
Then there was a weekend writing retreat held in Port Townsend, Washington. That was so much fun. It was called “A Gathering of Friends” there were around 40 people from all around the country. It was amazing! It was created by Michael Tomlinson. Maybe you have heard of him. He’s a wonderful musician who promotes these very unique, creative retreats….intended to stir our deeper selves.
Another wonderful retreat I attended was called “Woman Within” which involved hiking, camping out, singing, and writing. It was held in northern California. This was a pretty amazing experience also.
Once I even attended a fantastic retreat in Sedona, Arizona. I met some amazing people.
It was held at a fabulous B&B. Ironically, that retreat was called “Finding my voice” (giggle, giggle) so to find my voice and then find myself on a silent weekend. . Yikes!
However, the following year, and each year since I anxiously look forward to this beautiful weekend. The rooms are comfortable but simple. I see it as a weekend to just “Be” What I have also learned is that “silent” really means to “close out the noise” and quiet the mind.♡This magical weekend is like the best vacation EVER… because I return home restored, refreshed, rested… Both physically,mentally, and spiritually. It has become a miracle working weekend for me.
I’m wondering if you have ever been on a retreat my friend…. Perhaps even a silent one. I sure hope so because they are amazing. ♡And You deserve it!
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed your visit, and remember I always love “hearing” from you. I hope you have a lovely day.
Xoxo. ..
Marcia
