Summer retreat in Connecticut 2009

If all goes well (and as my mother would say, don't give it a kinnahura) in a few hours I should be on the road with my friends John and Marsha heading to a retreat in West Cornwall, Connecticut. It's the Unity retreat I've gone on for the past three or so years, or is it just two? I can't remember. This year the theme is "Follow The Yellow Brick Road" I believe. I don't care. I just love being at the Trinity Conference Center, which consists of a two-story large house with about fifty or so guest rooms, a few other smaller houses scattered on the property, ten or so acres of land with a river running alongside it, (the Hoosatonic River). The food is delicious, all locally grown and healthy, not vegetarian, but plenty of veggies and salads and desserts to choose from. I can't wait to breathe in the clean air, take walks and get some exercise, meditate and get out of the city. A few weeks ago, I told Paul, the founder and minister of Unity, that my mother recently died and I had a few other difficult issues on my plate and he said, that's why you're here. This community is going to take care of you. So I look forward to being with lovely people and soaking in the support and love.

The first time I went on the retreat I barely knew anyone, I had only gone to their concert and enjoyed the music after a friend invited me. It was during a time my mother had pneumonia and was on hospice care. I signed up for the retreat on an impulse and I became "the woman who didn't know anyone and had the guts to come on a retreat." Now I am going to be able to feel all the feelings that come up for me and to know that I will be safe.

After the retreat, I'm going to visit my dear friend Julie and her husband Keith in Bethel, Ct. for the 4th of July. I am looking forward to that too.

Have a great holiday weekend.

Post Retreat

I just returned from five days in Connecticut, at a retreat which was about happiness. I don't recall the official title, but five days in the woods with a bunch of wonderful people, a river to swim in, good food and lots of singing, meditation and dancing is my kind of thing. It's not for everyone and a year ago, I never would have imagined going on any kind of retreat. I didn't really know what a retreat was, but now you could call me up and invite me on one and I'd be packed in ten minutes and out the door.

This retreat was about remembering what you are passionate about and trying to find ways to make that a priority in your life. Whatever the passion is: yoga, knitting, feeding the world, singing, writing, performing, ice skating, dancing, your partner, painting, teaching, traveling, cooking, working with animals, whatever. For some people it was surprising to see what they felt most passionate about. For some it was scary.

The highlights for me were: an early morning dance class that got me out of bed at 6 am and dancing by 7 am, Paulette Pope's meditations, a daily river swim/water aerobics gathering with my friends Helene and Karen, which then led to singing "Proud Mary" with Tim and many other songs, performing (as a back-up singer) "We Are the World" and "New York, New York" in a show, being asked to meet with our meditation partners and then told by Paul Tenaglia, our retreat leader, to dance. And a few good desserts, particularly the ice cream bars.

Anyway, I'm back in Brooklyn now with Zoe and Steve. Last night they went to a really great 4th of July party where Zoe danced. To African drums. In the rain.