High Hopes

Phewee! What a wonderful break! Two weeks with all my needs and more taken care of on relaxing retreat at High Hopes in Greyton has worked wonders for my mind, body and soul! In fact, I now realise how essential it has been for my journey back to wellbeing, considering that it took a lot of (mental) kicking and screaming from me to even allow myself to believe that a) I really did need a break, b) that in fact I really do deserve a break, and c) that I actually can allow myself to relax, rest and do things I enjoy for no other reason than I simply enjoy doing them!

Typically me, I initially complained about having too much free time! Sheesh! But as soon as I got my complaint out, I saw how ridiculous it was and settled quite contentedly into doing nothing much - an essential yet forgotten art that I'm so delighted to be relearning! It's a difficult one for me, as even when I have no responsibilities I still feel a bothersome need constantly tickling at the back of my mind to be doing something deemed 'useful'. (Relaxing and rejuvenating from a burnt out state simply didn't appear on my mind's list of acceptable things to do. I've since revised the list.)

I also learned a lot more than how to relax my body. What I discovered I need a break from the most are my own self-sabotaging thoughts (although I'm still working on relaxing my mind!). All my activity, restlessness, stress and exhaustion is just distraction from what's really going on - which, I believe for all of us, will actually turn out to be so much easier to delve into and explore than to avoid; if we can find the courage to push past that impenetrable-looking wall of obstructions and excuses, most likely we'll find that it is merely a bubble-thin veneer of insubstantial fear covering the full amazingness of our real lives...

Granted, that's not an easy journey, but there are some wonderful sights along the way! Waking in the wee hours may be frustrating, but as with everything, it has its blessings too, and I've enjoyed the opportunity to experience almost every sunrise this year from a beautiful spot in nature - mostly on 'my' beach, but in the two weeks in Greyton I was delighted to be able to enjoy the still, early mornings, before the rest of the town came to life, wandering up the mountain or along the river with just nature for company:

Sunrise over the Sonderend Mountains - almost every morning the mist put on a unique show for me!

A gift in the mist: Protea Cynaroides bud.

For anyone looking for some rejuvenating, healing time-out, I wholeheartedly recommend High Hopes B&B in Greyton! The rooms and suites are luxurious, set in a delightful forest garden with roses and vegies, chickens and goats and a growing family of dogs and cats.  Ange and Sharon, owners of the B&B and energy healing centre, are so warm, genuine and welcoming, I felt like I was an old friend during my stay and I'm really looking forward to my return visit! www.highhopes.co.za