This view of the mountains is from the writing desk in my bedroom at Creators’ Haven. Each morning I woke up and only saw mist. As the morning progressed what had always been there became clear. But the details like clouds and birds, sun and rain created a different landscape each day (and even hour). As I prepare to leave my third Creators’ Haven Artist Retreat, I realize that is how I have received each retreat. Some of the core elements are the same even as the details like space, people, and even writing topics have changed.
 
There is something sacred about “retreat” . . . retreating from the world I love but that is full of distractions. Retreating from everyday responsibilities and immersing myself in the natural world to create. Combine that with a diverse creative sisterhood woven together through friends of friends and anything is possible. Words spill out, music fills the air, paint spins into beautiful images. Our stories mingle together, each one unique but building on others.
 
My soul was primed when I arrived. It felt like such a release to write from different perspectives and in different styles. Ideas that had built up over the past few months could begin to take shape. There was a sense of indulgence to have four full days to engage in creative expression. I am thankful for the opportunity to do this in community with passionate creative women through deep conversation and sharing of work, laughter and tears, food and faith. It is a privilege to soak in the wisdom and talent of these gifted artists.
 
What happens to all of this powerful energy when we leave this beautiful holy space and jump back into our lives? We may look the same but we carry a bit of the mystical love that was created this week with us . . . enough perhaps to create incremental changes in the world. Enough to give us creative strength to move forward purposefully until we gather again in retreat.