Surprised By Joy

Joy and Healing the Heart

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment. ~ Carlos Santana

Last week I spent a glorious few days up at Tamarack Lodge with some amazing and beautiful people.  It was the week of the Healing Heart Restorative Retreat, and what a joy it was!  Barbara is a divine cook, and each meal we found ourselves eagerly looking forward to the next.  There was some despair on the last day when we each realized we were going home to our own cooking!

Yoga and meditation in the morning on the grass, gazing out at the lake (in the picuture above, an early-morning snapshot), hiking the trail around the lake, followed by a delectable lunch.  Restorative yoga in the afternoon, time for rest, curling up with a favourite book, or enjoying an activity on the beach, and then another delicious meal. 

One night, we were starstruck by a tour of the cosmos in canoes, offered by Brian, a brilliant amateur astronomer who showed us everything from the Little Dipper to the Andromeda Galaxy.  If you're looking for perspective on your life, there's nothing like a tour of the night sky!

Another night, Joe generously offered up his skills (with drums for everyone) as a drum circle leader.  Tapping to the beat of the drums brought us into another realm, where time slowed down and worry and cares melted away.

Barbara, Reiner, and I are already making plans for the next retreat, happening next August.  Space is limited, so if you think next year might be the right time for you, let me know.  We'll be offering an early bird special, so stay tuned!

If you're curious about this year's retreat, check it out here.