THANK YOU ALL!
Thank you to all the participants of The Spiritual Practice of Writing for helping to make this an enriching, insightful day for everyone. And special thanks goes out to Joyce Carey for helping with registration, and to Trisha Day for opening her beautiful, light-filled home to us. We "threaded the needle" between snowy days and were fortunate to have a clear, sunny, quiet day to gather together and write.
And more gratitude is offered to Trisha for these lovely photos. Bright light was everywhere--foreground, background, within, without. As a Native American saying goes, "Beauty above me, beauty below me; beauty to the left of me, beauty to the right of me; beauty before me, beauty behind me. I'm on the pollen path."
Joyce getting ready for the day
Because the day was so sunny, and there was so much light in the room and light reflecting off the white-white snow outside and pouring into our space, I needed to touch up the photos to enhance their contrast. (It's wonderful what options personal computers can offer!). But I almost preferred some of the brightest, sun-filled shots before I altered them because of how intense the light was, as if the intensity was a reminder of how the present moment is the brightest, the clearest available to us.
Deb and Tom writing Curious Carolyn
Working it out on the page Mary listening
May these photos bring back memories that will encourage the "attitudinal foundations of mindfulness" we explored during the day: non-striving and acceptance, non-judging and letting go, trust, patience and beginner's mind.
Thia and Elisa deep into their writing
Elisa pondering
Deb absorbed
Angela facilitating
Richard contemplating
Looking over Alison's shoulder
Richard & Lea writing
Here's the one picture we have of Trisha, helping with preparations early in the day. I lightened the photo (the one on the right), but wanted to share the intensity of the original, too (the one on the left).
The contrast of light and dark brings out Trisha's angelic nature
Unfortunatly, we don't have a picture to share of Grandma Nora. Thank you, Grandma Nora, for your kind presence all day.
And thank you, all, for filling these chairs.
I hope to see you at another journaling retreat in the future.
Check out the "journaling workshops" page for additional journaling and meditation resources and links (currently under construction).
Blessings,
