by Stephanie
Vacations are wonderful, but they all come to an end, don’t
they? My husband and I just returned from a four-day vacation to Pawleys
Island, SC. We were there to be on retreat with other pastors and their wives
and to spend time together to be restored, refreshed and renewed. Just what the
body and soul needed!
At the end of our time of retreat, we were asked to name one
thing we were taking away and one thing we were leaving behind. For me, I left
behind stress and exhaustion and I am taking away intentionality…..intentionality
to build a simpler life for my family and intentionality to make time for rest.
What that looks like, in an everyday sort of way, I’m not sure yet, but I know it will be a work in progress
over the next few weeks and months.
I share this with you because I feel it is a good practice
to think about events or seasons in your life, and as they come to an end, ponder
what you are going to leave behind and what you are going to take with you as
you move forward into a new season or a new event. And then ultimately, how
does that leaving and taking shape what you are going to do or be in the future?
8 comments:
I have been in exactly your shoes, Stephanie. When my husband was going thru the Diaconate we went to a similiar retreat each year and I always went away refreshed and renewed. Everyone should take some time away for just this type of activity...it calms the soul and enlightens. Beautiful image...very peaceful.
Wonderful, serene photo! The perfect send-off for me as we head out to our beach vacation in SC. Your post is good advice, Stephanie. Something we all know ... in our hearts ... but how easily we forget. Thanks for reminding us! And, yes ... SIMPLIFY! {Hoping to return to my FOL family renewed and refreshed!}
Thanks for the wonderrful post, I've always wanted to go to Pawleys Island after I read a book set there...
Lovely post Stephanie and coincidentally I will be embarking on a road trip to "leave something behind", which I will write a blog post on. Beautiful image too!
Ahhh, your photo fills me with serenity! Wish I had a trip to the beach planned for this summer. It's the perfect place to "leave it all behind". And I think I read the same book that Viv mentioned and have wanted to go there as well!
I love this advice Steph, it will provide a lot of thought! Thank you. Love the picture too, As to above comments -common guys what was the book?
Well, the one I read was called Pawley's Island by Dorthea Benton Frank. Recommended!
I am in the process of leaving negative friends that I have outgrown behind. The hard part is finding local new, positive friends. They must be out there somewhere. For now I enjoy my online friends, who are creative and positive.
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