A Gift to Ourselves
For my 80th birthday on Sunday, April 8, I treated myself to a weekend at Esalen Institute, a beautiful retreat center in Big Sur, California, along the magnificent coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Here is a photo I took sitting on a bench under a covered porch while rain poured over the walkway and the flowering plants and trees, drenching these beauties and quenching their thirst. I loved watching nature take care of itself.
As I sat quietly simply observing, I realized how much I need (maybe you do too) to take care of myself, so I was especially happy that I had given myself this time to rest, write, reflect and read. I attended a personal writing workshop, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but more than the writing I appreciated the time to simply be with God in his creation.
I made some new friends, as well, but I liked being on my own without anyone to look after or meet up with or be accountable to. It was just me, myself, and I–and the Lord.
I was so taken with the experience that I plan to return in November for a workshop called “Art as a Spiritual Path: Paintings That Awaken the Soul.”
For the past 40+ years I’ve devoted my career and my creativity to writing. Now I’d like to explore some of the other arts. I’m going to take a brave step and see what comes of my dipping a brush into paint and applying it to paper. The class leader welcomes beginners as well as experienced artists so I’m ready to be a humble ‘newbie’ and see what comes of it.
What have you done recently or in the past to take care of yourself or is self-care something you’ve put off? Let’s encourage each other to take a brave step toward self-expression and care in whatever way appeals to each of us. I look forward to reading your take on this topic.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Dear Karen Happy Birthday Thank you you are such an inspiration. Hope to get together with you when Kathleen returns. Love wendy x
Thank you, Wendy. I really appreciate your kind words and look forward to seeing you again.
Happy birthday Karen! My Mom’s 82nd birthday is tomorrow. 🙂
I’m glad I get to celebrate both of you this month.
Happy Birthday to your mom. Thanks for your sweet words of celebration.
Good for you! I’m proud of you for daring to try something new.
Thanks for your encouragement, Janet.
Good for you! The picture is beautiful-thanks for sharing it! Since I don’t ‘get out” anymore I have finished writing the book about my life and the Houses where I lived (more than 300 pages). Now I will spend quiet time proof reading and I am sure making a lot of changes!
I have planned what I want to do when I get to my “final Home” (not a house made by man but a home built by God). I have always had a desire to paint, so one thing I want to do is be an artist. My favorite subject in college was choral directing, so I would like to direct one of the heavenly choirs and arrange the music. This may sound pretty far out but my brother who died a few years ago came to me in a dream and said: “Marg, hurry up, I need you up here. I have written a song for you”. He actually humed the notes, when I woke up I remembered the notes, went to the piano and played them and I wrote them down. I keep them in my Journal. He and I always loved being together, I would play the piano and both of us would sing! Far out?? yes, it is, but these are my plans for my eternal home but right now while I am on Planet Earth I plan to write a booklet about my “God Nudges” and several other things-for my own pleasure and because my daughter wants me to! Okay, you can add my name to a ‘nutty list’ ! Big smile! Doesn’t hurt to dream big! Our God is big and He will let me know what He wants me to do~so I better listen and “Be Still and Know that HE is God”. Love to you Dear. I think you are wise to take time for YOU!
Margaret
Many thanks for another sweet family story, Margaret. I’m with you on dreaming big. It’s a joy to take the talent God gives us and then put it to use.
Good for you. Loved seeing you at Mt. Hermon. Quiet is good, especially in a beautiful place like that. I’m glad you are open to learning new things. Try other medium too. Things like watercolors, pastels, charcoal, and such. I painted for years. I occasionally think about learning an instrument. I’ve always wished I could play something other than the 13 notes Happy Birthday song I earned on the piano when I was little. Almost bought a xaphoon (like a pocket sax).But I’m not sure I can pull it off. Maybe?
Sure you can pull it off, John. It’s good to keep stretching ourselves and using the gifts God gives us–even into our later years. I enjoyed seeing you too, at MH.
Great decision, Karen. I’ve been painting for fifty years and writing for about eighteen years (with the aid of a great teacher, Karen O’Connor). I love being able to go from one to the other; they seem to feed off one another.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and may the painting keep you healthy and happy.
Marie
Thank you, Marie. Now you are inspiring me. I don’t remembering hearing that you’ve been painting all these years. I’ll let you know how it goes with me. I’m excited about trying something new.
Good for you! I’m glad you had a beautiful birthday and are still exploring new avenues for creativity. I take a daily nap. It sounds kind of silly, but at an A type, napping has never appealed much to me and I usually felt guilty doing it, But I’m finding that a mid-afternoon nap after my work day (part-time) rejuvenates me and keeps me healthier. Resting is a God-given mandate and I’m learning to follow that! Sounds like you’ve embraced it well!
Yes, I’m into REST as well. Our pastor spoke on that very topic this past weekend, using Psalm 23 as the basis for his sermon. I’m now committed to taking it easy several hours a week and devoting a day a week to rest and contemplation.
I loved hearing more from you about the retreat! Good for you taking care of yourself! Loved the photos too!
Sending Blessings to you across the miles……
Thanks, Glenda. I appreciate your warm words of encouragement. I hope you are finding time for yourself too, now that you’re retired.
Hi Karen,
I would love nothing more than to take a sabbatical and go to the beach and spend not just the weekend or three or four days. I’m talking at least a month. My passion is writing but I got buried in projects. The Lord gave me three books and I am working feverishly trying to finish them. I have two nonfictions to finish and one fiction. I am taking Jerry’s Novel Blueprint course and using the fiction piece for the class project. I’ve been getting the unction to finish the nonfictions first and then do the fiction project. But there’s only 24 hours in a day. To find time to do something else is not feasible now. Actually I have nothing else I’d like to do. I used to draw and wasn’t to bad if I can say so. But painting? Forget it. I couldn’t do that. I can erase pencil and smear and blend chalk, but once paints on the canvass, I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to fix. You have much courage to do this. I applaud you. If you paint as good as you write, you should excel quite nicely. Maybe I can email you a brief question on my scheduling. I need some advice. GBY Karen and the best of luck in your painting. I hope you’re not giving up writing.
Thanks, Jim. You sound quite busy. This weekend our pastor spoke on the importance of rest, based on Psalm 23. You might appreciate it, given how busy you are and perhaps overtired. Go to tlc.org. Click on SERMONS and the one at the top of the list is the one I’m referring to, titled: When I’m Restless and Stressed. I’m not giving up writing but I am slowing down–no more books, just articles, blogs and my newsletter as well as some personal writing for my kids. I want to spend more time at the beach, as well!!
Karen, I bought a new bedroom suit and new covers. I lie in bed and watch tv. when I make time. It is so nice to lie on a new bed and sink into new covers. I had some of Sara flowers curtains and put them up, along with other pretty things she had. now, I’m feeling so blessed to be able to relax in style. I’m glad for you having a wonderful time in a lot of beauty! Life is what we make it and it’s the small things such as beauty that make it wonderful!
Thanks, Mary, for sharing the story of this wonderful new purchase for your bedroom. It sounds divine. Today I indulged myself by buying a few new items of clothing and it feels so good, after waiting a bit too long. I agree that it’s little bits of beauty here and there that make such a difference.
A sweet and solace-filled Happy Birthday to you Karen. May you enjoy your new artful venture and many more healthy and creative years.
Smiles, BRC
Hi Beth. Thanks for your encouraging words.