Retreating

Stop looking for the sabbatical, or even the weekend when everyone is out of the house.  Solitude is wonderful, but vast amounts of it can be like bolts of vintage silk - so lovely, so hard to come by that we are reluctant to cut into them, and so they sit unused while we say 'could'

                  ** Julia Cameron, The vein of gold **

 

The busier you are and the more you are giving to others, the more you must replenish yourself.

 

We need a way to retreat in the midst of crying children, deadlines and crazy traffic.  The Heart Map Retreats are designed to provide a safe space for you to retreat for just a day.  I do hope that you will come away with me on retreat sometime soon!
 

 

The busyness of life

 

It's no secret, I'm a huuuge Brave Girls Club fan.  I have personally met Melody Ross when she was in South Africa a while back, I have done many of her online art courses so that I keep growing and building my artistic skills, and I receive the daily emails "a little birdy told me". 

 

Some friends and I were talking recently about the extreme busyness of our lives.  I yearn to do 2 things consistently - regular exercise, and going deeper with God in my prayer life.  I've done the math - work and commuting daily and all my chores leaves me with just 3 hours a day to truly 'live' my life during the week, prepare meals, be creative, relax, watch some TV, read, connect with friends and family, and oh yes - I also need to bath and do ablutions during those 3 hours.  

 

Soooo, where do I squeeze in some time for regular exercise?  Where do I find time to slow down and check in with God, to really listen to Him and get into His Word...

 

This busyness overwhelms me, and life feels hard and like there's no fun.  But I do the best that I can.  I keep going and take small steps towards the life that I really want.  Maybe that's enough for now, for this season in my life.  And that's ok...

 

 

Testimonials from ladies on retreat

Here is some feedback from the ladies who attended the second Heart Map Retreat in May 2013...

 

* "I liked everything!  Good company and nice crafts" - Adele  

 

* "I liked getting away and thinking about the things I need to do to be fun-filled" - Gisela

 

* "I really liked the honesty and the 'safe place' to say what I feel; liked being creative.  Loved it - thanks!" - Tanya

 

* "I really loved the whole day - just relaxing and being in the moment.  I loved the mixed media project!" - Leonie

 

* "Everything was awesome.  The venue was great.  I had a blast!" - Bridget

 

 

Dr. Bridget Sutton

 

 

  

 

Making art

I am a firm believer that everyone needs a hobby.  I believe that creativity has the ability to comfort and heal us, and reconnect us with our own heart.  Making art, no matter how simple, disconnects us from the craziness that sometimes inhabits our daily lives.  It makes us slow down, breathe and reflect for a moment on where we are. 

 

Making art is a key ingredient of the Heart Map Retreats.  Here are some of the beautiful Heart Cards that the ladies made on retreat in May...

  

  

HeartMap Retreat

The second HeartMap Retreat was held on Saturday 11 May 2013.  5 ladies joined us on Retreat, and it was an awesome day.  Despite the cold and windy weather, we were warm and comfortable, we enjoyed good food, and a beautiful day unfolded.

 

The greatest beauty was not the gorgeous botanical gardens or the beautiful cupcakes or the pretty crafts we made.  The greatest beauty came from the wisdom and love and kindness that each lady brought to the retreat.  They gave the gift of themselves.  My role was merely to birth the day as a midwife - to create a safe space and time for the ladies to slow down, to reconnect with their own hearts, and to listen to each other.  The craft projects merely kept our hands busy.  The real fire was in the conversations that flowed throughout the day. 

 

My special friend, Lynn helped me facilitate the day; I couldn't have done it without her.  Thank you my friend!

   

Lynn and I still looking fresh at 07h30 in the morning

Setting out the tools for the first craft project

 Cupcakes for morning tea

 

 

 

Gisi, Bridget, Adele, Tanya, Leonie and I

 

Leonie and Bridget

with Leonie

Tanya and Adele

Lynn makes Heart Cards

 

Gisi's gorgeous creations

With Tanya - she is a very creative lady!

 

Adele's beautiful Heart Cards

 

 

  

First Retreat

I hosted the first retreat in November 2012, testing out the concept with dear friends and family. Caron (my sister) and awesome friends Lynn and Fiona bravely attended the retreat at my home. Thank you for your kindness and wisdom in supporting my creative goals of hosting retreats for women!

 

 

Come away with me on retreat

“Your ability to do nothing affects your ability to do everything”

                     ** Cheryl Richardson **

A retreat is the act or process of withdrawing. It means to step away from the usual stuff in your life. Sometimes going on a retreat means going somewhere far away for an extended period of time. Sometimes it means slipping away for just a few hours. The Heart Map Retreat is for women only, and is designed as a space for you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself.

Now is the time…

Come away with me for a 1-day retreat in the city.  Say yes to time out for yourself.

 

Retreating is for you if you...

·   feel overwhelmed by your to-do list

·   need to slow down, to hear the wind in the trees, and reconnect with your own heartbeat

·   need some time out

·   will enjoy relaxing in a beautiful environment in the company of other women

What will we actually do on retreat?

·         journal

·         rest and relax

·         stretch and meditate

·         talk and laugh

·         savour some yummy food

·         complete 2 beautiful craft projects

·         ..and there will be plenty of time for talking about anything that lights you up

 

You are amazing..

You are loved..

You have not been forgotten