Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit without Leaving Home

Between caring for two kids, a husband, and assorted animals and working a zillion hours a week, I have days when I barely have time to brush my teeth, let alone set aside time at home to engage my body, mind, and spirit, right?

Wrong.

After a friend gave me a copy of Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit without Leaving Home as a gift, I found that I can--and must--make time for myself. In fact, I'm a better person for it.

Home should not be just one more place to work and tend to the needs of others, the authors coach their readers. We think we have to spend money and find time to run away from home to recharge our batteries; but, these writings helped me see beyond these obstacles and find ways to enjoy short and inexpensive getaways in my own house. Ahhh.

I was so tickled with this book that I've given it to my harried friends to encourage them to also find time to relax and retreat.

Read it, re-read it, and mark your favorite retreats. You'll find its well worth your time.

If you are stressed out, feeling frantic, and sure you have no time to take some time out for yourself, think again. In an easy to read and engaging style, the authors clearly outline a variety of inviting, fun petite retreats, at least one of which will surely appeal to every taste. Along with a step by step guide to planning a retreat, Mastro and Harding offer some thoughtful wisdom about caring for yourself that makes so much sense that it is hard not to start planning your first 3 hour (or all day) retreat immediately. I followed their steps and chose a personal petite retreat, put it on my calendar, and some 8 days later I found myself in my kitchen, music playing, mixing up a batch of banana bread loaves that filled the house with such wonderful smells, I found myself smiling and feeling thoroughly refreshed. (OK, so that may not be your idea of a petite retreat, but each to his own!) I was so refreshed, that I put another petite retreat on my calendar for about 6 weeks later. This one I planned for a full day, despite the fact I "didn't have time." What I discovered is that I DO have time if I make time, and the benefits of that short "just for me" retreat pays dividends for weeks. Anticipating it, and then savoring it, seem to add to the pleasure of the actual time taken. I highly recommend this book, especially as we enter the holiday season! (It would make an excellent gift, too.)

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