I like the idea of retreat meaning  to treat yourself — again and again and again.

I’m big on treats. 
I think it’s how we sustain the energy and clarity and attention needed for hard work and laundry.

Last weekend I went away with my group of impassioned-artist gal-friends and lemme tell you, it was better than dark chocolate, red wine or getting my feet dipped in warm paraffin.

Here are some of the things we did:

hula hooped
sang
reflected on 2007
envisioned 2008
cooked
meditated
laughed 
cried
talked about budgets
stretched
ran
skipped
hot-tubbed
wrote
slept

Here are some of the things we didn’t do:

laundry
make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against peanut butter and jelly, ‘tho I prefer a rough-cut almond butter. 
It’s just that it is an amazing thing to be un-needed by children for a couple of days. 
It enables the kind of fun and focus that, otherwise, I can be a little too tired or scattered for. 

It didn’t hurt that we were lent an incredible sanctuary in the piney woods of near-east Texas. There were acres of dirt roads and soft paths and, nestled in the trees, an octagonal yoga room, a pool, a bunkhouse with 8 queen-sized bunkbeds… 

You get the idea. 
Drrrrr-eamy.

All that space. All that time.
I came home loving and feeling loved. And knowing what I wanted to do next. 
Right after I finish making the peanut butter sandwiches.

If you haven’t gotten away lately, I recommend it. 
And even if you have, book another get-away soon.

Re-treat.