A ten-day respite in the Southwest has restored my body-mind-spirit. While not visiting with a dear friend, I spent four days and three nights at a desert hermitage completely free of schedules, to-dos, technology, and distractions. The sunrise and sunset, sunlight and shade, my hunger and thirst, deep rest and movement, singing and silence were my only calls-to-action or in-action. I breathed, received, restored, renewed, retreated, reconnected, recreated… and it was very good.

Simple Gifts: a chair, a cup of tea, a journal; on the patio

To simply sit in the morning sun with a cup of tea and writing journal close-by was a slice of heaven and welcome break from the New England chill.

A Way Into the Desert Space

Finding my way into the desert space took longer than just finding a path.

Can you find the bunny?

The two animals I noticed in the desert this time of year were birds and bunnies. The bunnies were so well camouflaged with the color of the desert that it took some paying attention to see them from a distance.

Desert Roses

Very few flowers were blooming in the desert. These white blooms caught my eye as I walked the trails.

Desert Speed: Slow

Removing myself from my home environment and projects helped me to focus on my needs-in-the-now. Slowing down brought some clarity and re-prioritization of life-in-the-now.

Self-Portrait in the Desert

The morning sun caught my shadow looking out at the desert landscape.

Bunny Enjoys a Carrot

I enjoyed the companionship of the bunnies while on retreat. A few carrots planted in the brush were found and nibbled.

Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary

This post is part of the series: Transforming Trauma, Becoming Whole.
Please read “40+ Days of Desert Practice” for the series description and background.