Grace and Quiet

2022 September Blog Cindy Carty ~ Recently my life became too loud. Noise everywhere. Just outside of my condo workers with chain saws, mulchers, weed eaters, resurfacing equipment, and lawn mowers. All wailing, clanking, buzzing. A cacophony of chaos in the name of production and property management.

Turning inward, I found similar sounds reflected in my mind as I wailed, clanked and buzzed through the challenges of running a business and meeting the demands of family responsibilities. I was inflamed with noise.

I prayed for Grace.

I tested positive for Covid.

The only way through this inflammation of body and mind was to stop and, shall I say, retreat.

I have never been at ease with the word retreat. It conjures images of running away, losing, defeat. My soldiering through, however, has produced a body and mind under attack. Maybe I could give peace a chance.

I began with unplugging from the digital invaders of social media and email. I withdrew from Netflix and Apple TV. I put my phone down. I watched my body respond to Covid. I hydrated. I rested.

Slowly, I turned toward

Silence.

Of course, I needn’t have done this alone. Centering Space offers sanctuary and guidance to retreatants for the length of time that best serves their needs. The garden, porch and house are instilled with grace and quiet. And, now that I have made my peace with the word retreat, I will go.