Ever felt overwhelmed by the constant barrage of activity, work or family demands, and to-do lists? Do you crave quiet, peace, a time to think without interruption?

If this sounds like you, it may be time for a personal retreat, a time for reflection, receiving, restoration through connection with your heart, soul, spirit, and your faith.

Jane Rubietta, author and advocate of personal retreats, says, “In personal retreat, whether a cozy afternoon in the living room, a sit-in on a park bench, or an overnight getaway, we separate from the situations, roles, and behaviors that form or reinforce our self-esteem – or lack thereof.  The personal retreat is both antithesis and antidote to the constant, clamoring noise of our inner and outer worlds. In the solitude and stillness of retreat, we no longer need to earn our keep or make people happy.  Nothing matters except the state of our own body and soul.”

To get away for retreat, we have to make the time.  Because we are so used to putting ourselves, our bodies and our spirits on a shelf while taking care of the myriad of people and needs on our list, we have to decide that we deserve this time away, that it will benefit us enough to let go of our  “shoulds.”

When you consider getting away for a personal retreat, do these thoughts sound familiar?

• It is selfish to take time away.
• I wouldn’t know what to do.
• It might cost too much.
• Nobody really does this.

To combat these thoughts, you have to start by giving yourself permission.

The benefits are too amazing to forfeit. Consider Anne Morrow Lindberg’s thought from Gift From the Sea “It is not physical solitude that actually separates one from other(s), not physical isolation, but spiritual isolation…When one is stranger to oneself then one is estranged from others too. If one is out of touch with oneself, then one cannot touch others.”

If you are worn out or just yearn for escape, consider a personal retreat to connect with yourself again.  It might be exactly what you need to gain new perspective  and restore you back to more abundant living. Come away to the calm!

Some resources that can help you plan a personal retreat are:

• Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats  by Jane Rubietta
• Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton
• Contemplative by Design by Gerrie Grimsely & Jane Young

Susan Miller, PhD, LPCS of Lighted Path® Coaching and Peggy Stella, MA of Equessence, LLC  have regular Your Unbridled Spirit Day Retreats utilizing Mindfulness, Life Coaching, Gentle Yoga, Nature Experiences and Creative Arts in a pastoral setting to help you gain fresh perspective in your busy life.

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Author: Susan S. Miller, PhD, LPCS, NCC for Lighted Path® Coaching

Susan Miller, PhD, LPCS, NCC is a Psychotherapist, Certified Creativity Coach, Certified Kaizen-Muse™ Creativity Coach, Entrepreneur & Life Coach offers counseling, coaching & creativity workshops that light the path of your life journey through Lighted Path™ Coaching and Miller Counseling Services, PC.  Along with having 30+ years of counseling, coaching, and group facilitation experience, Susan is a life-time trained artist with a special interest in painting, mixed media and fabric art.