Seven days of being still and silent?

Some thoughts on my recent silent retreat. As I began this I must admit I was a little nervous. Go without social media? Me? Really? By the third day I realized that as I was meditating and reflecting I have never actually completely shut down. Not once, in my entire life, had I just stopped completely and been left with focusing on breathing and meditating. Yes I had done a half day and even a weekend retreat but to just be, nope not really.

A lot of "stuff" came up in those first few days and I allowed the process to unfold. I discovered my "top 20 hits" of stories I tell myself, some really negative, others just that "blah, blah, blah" voice. Others that I had thought I had gotten rid of a long time ago reared their head to say "Yep still lurking deep down in you subconscious." Those were the ones I was able to quiet the quickest.

I also remember why I have been and continue to be such an advocate for self-care. If we don't fuel our own cup to overflowing how can we as caretakers, healers, coaches, counselors continue to give to others without depleting our own supply?

One other discovery that came up for me personally, a question asked by one of my teachers "who do I go to get support from?" After that question I really had to pause. I realized that I really don't ask for help or reach out to others for assistance. I thought I had a bit when mom began to fail last year, but really after she passed on I went back to my old habits of plowing through, there was one dear friend who has continuously pushed through that veil I hold up and I am very grateful for that. Yet, I also know in my heart, that I need to continue to reach out and seek out others for conversation, support and just being present with one another. Especially in this crazy world that we live in and have been in for the past 18 months.

None of us are alone. I am here for you and I know a lot of you are there for me. Now let's stop saying those words and follow up with an action. A call, a walk, a coffee or tea outside or even a quick zoom call.

Let's stop being so busy and saying one day we will get together and instead take an action step to actually doing that.