I’ve been on a sound healing course in rural Wales. Although the course is from 10:00-5:00 for four days, somehow it does feel as if I am on a retreat. Perhaps because the center we are staying in has a retreat feel. The essentials are provided. There is no luxury, but there is enough. Cell service is poor, but you are amidst greenery, trees, woods. No responsibilities can pull at you at the moment. All is asked is your presence. Due to a later start in the morning and my only commute time equating with taking several turns down a hallway, my mornings appear luxurious. There is time and space to maintain my daily discipline.
My mornings are filled with meditation, morning pages (journaling), gratitude, setting a morning intention, and yoga. Somehow, I am mostly sustaining my intermittent fasting. Since there are no dogs or people pulling for my attention, I have time to craft my mornings to look what I want it to look like. Having some type of discipline while I travel helps create a light set of boundaries to my day. I can keep a foundation of my essence, although other aspects may be out of control. It may be easier to do this on a retreat or workshop, because your schedule is predictable. Yet this is also possible to sustain if you are crafting your own trip. Mornings can be sacred as a means to develop and sustain your discipline, whatever that looks like for you. Yet it’s important to leave space for adventure, serendipity, and spontaneity.
Although my days are filled, part of me wishes to squeeze more out of them. For me, this is more writing, creativity, or productivity. Yet what I realize after dinner is my body is tired. In reality, this even occurred during the training. Our first day ended with an hour long sound bath. Not only did I fall asleep, I was the first one and was lightly snoring! This was embarrassing to hear in front of our group, but I couldn’t deny the truth. My body and mind have been extremely busy. It’s nudging me to be nurtured. It is longing for more rest, rejuvenation, recuperation. Allow your body and mind the time to slow down. The word vacation comes from the Latin word “vacare” which means to “be unoccupied.” Leave space for this to occur. Between the busy-ness, adventure, learning, doing, exploring, and gallavanting allow yourself to be unoccupied. Perhaps you may let out a sigh, yawn, or even a snore. Welcome whatever arises. It needs it!
“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.”- Ovid
It Only Takes A Smile 