Editorial

As I sit here typing my editorial, my hubby Dave is laying hard wood flooring in my office so my makeshift office is in the middle of the kitchen. Oh how I would love to retreat to my peaceful space where I usually work out of the hussle and bussle of our home.

Normally I am tucked away in a sunny corner with my pond visible through my bay window which conveniently sits at my immediate right. I listen to the sounds of the waterfall, my 2 office fountains and my 7 birds ... the soothing sounds of nature’s music. But today instead I listen to the pounding of his mallet as he positions each strip of laminate into it’s new home.

This issue is about retreats and holistic adventures and some of the writers are enlightening us to the difference between them, as many of us see a retreat as anytime away from our present reality! We see retreats as retreating from rather than retreating inward.

My personal retreat area in my home is my yard. I’ve created a private garden with 20 foot cedars for privacy and wonderful feng shui influences. I sit for hours meditating and withdrawing from my physical existence into myself...finding my center and refueling my soul. Even 5 minutes sitting by my pond recharges me. My center recognizes this place and responds quickly when needed although most of the time I spend hours rather than minutes within this paradise.

A special thank you goes out to Donna Doherty for her cover image. I own many of her pieces, including a pyramid like the one on our cover and can personally vouch for her artistic vision and precision with her trade...she is a very talented artist. Thank you for blessing us all with your images Donna.

I would like to thank the writers in this issue who are sharing such a personal part of their lives with us all. It takes great courage to share intimate thoughts and experiences with readers all over the world. I applaud you all!

I hope everyone enjoys this issue and if you find retreating is the right thing for you, I wish you great introspection and growth on your next retreat into yourself.

Much light,
Aleesha