I used to think a retreat was only about going with other people to a place to pray in union, to reflect on life and grow spiritually. And while all of these things nourish the soul, my retreat is very personal and reflective in the nature that lives and breathes all around me.
Going to the ocean is my time to marvel at the blessings that exist around us every day. The sun radiates brightly, while the air is charged with negative ions to detox my spirit from the stresses of life. Butterflies delicately balance in mid air, sending me messages as they flutter about. I am full of joy as the seals follow, peeking at me from the ocean as I walk along the shore. Nature offers a bounty of miracles in the budding of the flowers, the ever-changing sea shore as the waves tumble rocks while the ocean breathes in and out. The trees offer us oxygen freely without any thought of remuneration.
It is true, the richest things in life are free in nature.
The more time I spend wandering the sea shores, the more I realize we have much to learn as humanity to open our minds to the healing so freely offered before us. While the beauty opens my heart to greater love, my spirit connects to grow into a deeper union with God as love flows up and out into the world. I am refreshed and ready for another day, another week, another year, my life.
As the real world comes into focus from within and opens my soul to many possibilities, my mind sees and understands the world that is greater than we are. My body is refreshed with the exercise as I walk my path with Spirit. While my drive to the ocean is always faster than my return, on my way home, I am relaxed and content to just be, as my spiritual ocean retreat has healed me inside and out.
I am awakened every time I get away from the false captivation of the blue light and spend time outside as nature dances all about. While I retreat in nature, I am never alone. Life springs forward with blessings all about, for Thou art with me all the days of my life.
