Retreat

By Hope LeNoir

As a professional strategist, I was asked to define the word “Retreat.”  When given this word, you’d expect me to talk about ways to get away from the hustle and bustle of “work.”  How to disengage from the stress of your job and take a moment to breathe on the beach or in your tub or the couch or at the dinner with a friend.  Though I enjoy doing all of these things, they are not a retreat for me.

My Retreat is what I do every day professionally.  Every day I get to soak in the things I love to do-every day.  I eat up the success stories that my clients have.  I rest in knowing I’ve helped them grab things well beyond what their goals are.  There is nothing like knowing that what you do in your career journey brings you the same thing a retreat can bring others every day.  Being in a career journey that you love and can continuously grow will allow you to live the definition of Retreat.

Retreat, according to the Webster dictionary is defined as “movement away from a place or situation especially because it is dangerous, unpleasant, etc.”  My profession as a career coach empowers me to use my strengths to enjoy those places of peace and excitement.  For example, I do not force myself to be in career environments that are dangerous or absolutely unpleasant.  Every morning I welcome the fascinations of living and learning more about my dreams.  I am confident living in my passions is what I am purposed to do and because I am purposed to do this, I will be rewarded in God’s way.  And man, I know my reward will go well beyond any of my interpretations of a Retreat.

Of course now the question is, “How can you bask in your Retreat every day?”  First find out what your passion is then find out what gives purpose in your life.  Discover how they align.  Reading books, watching videos, listening to self-development audios, attending relevant events, hiring a coach and of course prayer will help you discover both your strengths and your purpose and ultimately your Retreat.  Check out my book, RUSH:  Embracing your purpose and all of the psychological thrillers it brings with it as one of the resources you check out to get you started.

Identifying the gift that God has given you and defining that which you are passionate about is the necessary foundation for feeling joy and serenity in your life every day.  The good thing is you don’t have to spend the money it traditionally takes to leave your home, state or country to find a place of Retreat.  Your Retreat will follow you where you are.  To top it all off, if you are living in God’s will the Retreat you once imagined will eventually be provided by God.  This brings me to another definition of Retreat that Merriam Webster gives, “a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study or instruction under direction.”  With God as your director and your passions and purpose aligned, you will be driven to consistently communicate in prayer with God, meditate daily about the anticipation surrounding your next steps, study because you are hungry to learn more and feel honored to follow the instruction given to you.

In each piece I write, I love to tell a story of how I’ve incorporate examples in my life.  My Retreat has come in so many ways this year.  Because of abundant blessings, I called and asked my sister to do something wonderful with me.  She suggested we go on a trip to London.  For many, London is a spectacular Retreat.  Since I am a passionate career coach and speaker, coaching and speaking in London would be an even greater Retreat for me.  So you probably know what I told her.  “That’s a great idea!  How about we find a place in London to help a London group by us speaking there?”

In another situation, I think about the upcoming long weekend I will spend with the other six authors of this book.  I think about how we will talk about our passions, our purpose and how privileged we feel to be a part of a bigger plan.  We will talk more about how we will use these given strengths to help so many people by positively impacting the world, locally and internationally.  We will support each other.  We will admonish each other.  We will laugh.  We will cry.  We.  Will.  Work.  Through it all, we will be in a place of safety, instruction and prayer.  We will be in a beautiful and fun place of blessed Retreat.

I hope everyone reading this chapter will find their place of everyday Retreat.  Grab a moment every day to use your passion and freely operate in your beautiful purpose.  This is where you will celebrate your constant Retreat.

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