This quiet time can be called our personal retreat time and this time doesn’t have to be a lot. Just ten minutes a day, will do the trick and if you don’t have ten minutes to start with, take five minutes. Whatever amount of time you can take for yourself, take it. It’s that important. Where should you go for your retreat? Anyplace will do. As long as you have the time to turn your attention inward. My favorite place is my bedroom window. The one that looks out over my backyard. Why? Because I can watch my flowers grow. Other things and places to consider for your inner retreat are focusing on a favorite picture in your home, or office that inspires you. Focusing on a high ceiling, chandelier, sculpture, dream catcher, or other symbol. Any of these items and more could be your focal point for your inward place.
Now that you have your retreat place, how to turn inward. Once you enter your retreat place sit and get comfortable, next spend the first five minutes just breathing. You can close your eyes, but only if you feel comfortable doing so. Focus on your breathing. Take deep breaths and hold for a few seconds and then release. Notice your thoughts while you are breathing. If negative thoughts come up, acknowledge them and let them go, returning your attention back to your breathing. Listen for sounds around you. Acknowledge that this is your retreat place that you are happy in this place.
Some suggestions to say to yourself while you are breathing are: You are relaxing and recharging. You are thankful and grateful for the people in your life. You are thankful and grateful for other things of interest to you. You are grateful for having love in your life or forgetting away from someone negative in your life. Etc., Etc., Whatever you may be grateful for…Say these to yourself, inwardly. After your ten minutes is up, slowly open your eyes if you closed them and look around. Notice everything as if you are seeing it for the first time and watch the beauty unfold. Also notice how much calmer you should feel. This was your retreat.
