It is really scary to think that almost two thirds of my planned stay here is over already. I have packed a lot of living into the past two weeks and rested too.

I suppose the greatest thing about this time has been being able to follow my own natural rhythm of waking up, moving when my body wants to move and eating when I feel like it.

I am feeling more rested and that was a big part of coming here.

The art festival of the weekend has left me with a strong urge to play with my paints – that is if they are any good any more.  I bought most of them almost five years ago whilst on a similar break in Paternoster. I was quite amazed when I left Bodhi Khaya and headed out past Stanford that the setting sun looked just like the one did as I approached the West Coast town of Our Father in 2008.  It was a great big glowing orb and it felt as if I was driving into the light. Almost identical feeling unless it was just my pesky mind playing tricks on me. Who cares? It was a wonderful way to start my adventure.

Reflecting on my experiences here compared to my stay in Paternoster I can see the changes that time and experience have wrought in me.

As I approached Prince   Albert I remember thinking: “Why is it that I think I need a retreat?” Besides the fact that I live and work at a retreat centre there is a knowing that actually our whole life is a workshop, a retreat, the experience.  It’s that old, old cliché ..everywhere I go, there I am.

That said, I promptly answered myself: “That may be so, but you need to rest, replenish, restore and then , of course, WRITE!” I must add that David’s admonishment to fall back in love with myself also rang so true. And yes, I admit it: I do talk to myself ,sometimes constantly…. In my head mostly and even out loud.

Most of what I have been practising here, is being kinder to myself, more gentle.  I have not driven myself to write the blog just for the sake of writing it. I have rather just let it be born from my desire to share what is happening for me both in my external activities and in my experience of my life here.

One thing is for sure though, being kind to myself truely means making sure I have the time to write. Go figure?