Most of you know that I have a weird iteration of a spiritual retreat each year visiting Discovery Cove in Orlando. Exploring all the park had to offer and swimming with their dolphins was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I had to talk myself into allowing myself to spend a great deal of money to experience the activity and I did not see myself repeating that expenditure. Until I spent my first dolphin day there.
I have never been very good at “once-in-a-lifetime.” When an experience delights me, I usually end up going back. Discovery Cove was no different. In fact, the pull to return was even greater than usual. The sensation of immersing myself in exciting, yet relaxing water adventures all day in an uncrowded park, strolling beaches and private pathways, and eating a good deal of junk food is more seductive than I can describe. I do not receive it at all like a theme park vibe- as much as I love theme parks. From the very beginning, my solo time at Discovery Park felt like a sacred reflection day. As a result, I have been back almost every year.
In the past six or seven months, I have made some changes in my lifestyle. In an effort to become healthier, I have added a few things to my normal routine. Some of the changes directly related to physical health. I’ve increased my water intake. I 86ed the bag of Hershey kisses I kept in my dresser drawer in case of low blood sugar and replaced it with lifesavers- more effective in true emergencies and way less tempting to eat “just because.” I began tracking my food intake
These physical changes also wrap around mental health goals. I am trying to reprogram my brain to disconnect the idea that the definition of diet success is weight loss and feeling deprived. I am trying to replace that definition with the notion that dietary success is when my body feels good. I am also trying to be much less cruel to myself than I have always been. I would not be as mean to anyone else on earth as I am to myself. I started dancing to increase the joy in my life. I have been walking steps for years and it is good for me physically, but 15-20 minutes a day of dancing like a madwoman to upbeat or spiritually nourishing songs provides a helping of dopamine that walking steps never did. I took my walking outside whenever the weather allowed. I’ve been able to increase the dopamine hit in that way, also. There are some truly beautiful and uplifting places to walk close to my house. At least there were before summer hit and “outside” began to feel like Satan’s armpit.
I also began building a monthly retreat day into my schedule. I mark my calendar with one day that I will commit to nothing other than my spiritual and mental health. It is a regular day for God and me to nurture our relationship. It is a regular day for God and me to tinker with my internal workings to bring me closer to being the person He created me to be. I spend time on spiritual devotions, reading, journaling, and praying. I may go for a walk outside. I may dance. I may schedule a message or an appointment with my life coach. The idea is to stop the spinning of busyness in my life- and in the stopping, to reflect, refresh, and reset.
All of these changes are bearing fruit. The results may not appear as dramatic or comfortable as I would like, but I can feel them powerfully.
I am giving all this background and explanation to set the stage for this year’s dolphin day. Spoiler alert: It was fantastic. It always has been, but this year was special. I think this year was better than any of the other years…and I think that is because I ambetter than I was in any of the other years. Because of the changes I have made, I was more able to receive the benefits of the experience. I started the day not eating food I did not want. I journaled for a while, letting myself become more intentional about what I wanted from my retreat time. I prayed. I watched the flamingos stretch and neck with each other. I found a private spot at the back of the park and danced for half an hour, my ear buds filling my soul with John Michael Talbot. I enjoyed some time swimming with sting rays in the coral reef. I cooed over a tiny armadillo. I sunk into the bathtub-warm water at the freshwater oasis, watching little marmosets chase each other across their little island in the middle. I sat on a bench in the shade and read my devotional. I rode the lazy river to my “not-so-secret” cavern. It is hidden in plain sight, but I seem to be the only one who hangs out there, accompanied only by God and my own thoughts. I met a silly anteater. I ate a piece of chocolate cake, a small soft pretzel, and two small squares of pizza (for protein!) but did not eat just because it was there. I didn’t compete with myself to see how much activity I could cram into my eight hours. I went where the spirit led me. I spent no extra money.
I left tired but with renewed physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. It was an immensely satisfying feeling. It reminded me that emotional struggles do not necessarily equal “catastrophes.” I came to Discovery Cove this year on the heels of a vacation that proved to be wonderful in many ways, but also unsettling. I felt overwhelmed and flooded by emotions. My dolphin day showed me that I am much more resilient than I know.
A retreat can be any opportunity to reset and grow. And a retreat should NEVER be a “once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
What do you do to refresh and reset? Please leave a comment to share your perspective. In the alternative, you can email me at terriretirement@gmail.com.
Have a refreshing day!
Terri/Dorry 😊