Exercise: If you don’t you’ll gain weight, especially since you’ll be inside a lot, not moving around as much as you do in a typical day. Exercise will give you energy and help you focus. Keep in mind, the physical is very important to giving life to the mind, heart and soul!
Eat well: Enjoy a few good meals, cook and eat healthy! Eating a tasty meal and slowing down to eat is part of the process of slowing down and enjoying the gift of time and opportunity.
Enjoy a glass of wine: I said it! Have a glass of wine at sunset. If you don’t drink, then have something you really enjoy and enjoy it slowly while taking in the setting that you’re in!
Choose good books: I brought a few books and chose them wisely. I chose one for my heart, one for my mind, one for my personal growth, one for my ministry, and one for the creative side of my mind. Don’t feel like you are required to read every page. Just take time each day to read. Be balanced in what you read and pace yourself!
Intentionally listen for God’s voice: You will be in a space and place where it will be much easier to hear God’s voice. I was amazed at how easy and clear it was compared to the noise and clutter I experience at home. Take time to listen, ask God questions, journal, and understand what God is saying to you! God will speak when you go on a walk, read, exercise, eat, etc.; he will surprise you and he has a lot to say!
Note the thoughts and ideas that keep you captive: This is vital! There were a couple themes that developed in my time away. Make sure you look for themes and ideas that are consistent with others and note them so you can revisit them and synthesize them.
Don’t create more work for yourself: It’s easy to do, don’t do it. If tasks or to-dos surface, write them down and deal with them when you get back home
Be okay being in isolation: This was the hardest, but best, part for me. I’m not used to being alone or disconnected from people for much less than an hour. Isolation allows us to rest and keep our eyes focused on other things. Maybe the most meaningful and surprising experience was being alone and how it forced me to depend more on God, talk to Jesus and hear the spirit!
Stay “wild at heart”: Thanks, John Eldredge, for these three reminders. This is especially true for men; we were made to fight, experience adventure and rescue beauty. As best you can, find a way to experience all three of these each day you’re away!
Process and download: Find a mentor, coach or friend to process your experience with. Discuss what you learned, captured and experienced. This will help you say things out loud that you haven’t said, and find a way to process your experience with someone who knows you and can serve as a sounding board for you.
