If you read any of the desert mothers and fathers, you’ll know a large reason they retreated from life was because there was too much noise. This was centuries ago, and we know that life has only become noisier, louder, and more.

I have felt the desire to retreat more lately. Maybe you have, too. Maybe you’ve wanted more quiet or “just a day” or you’re planning a retreat.

I know that any time I start fantasizing about putting my house on the market, selling everything, building a tiny home and moving into the middle of nowhere that I need more space, solitude and quiet in my life.

While these are spiritual practices for me in my daily life, sometimes we need more of them, and sometimes we need them in community.

In 2020, I read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry which proposed 4 key spiritual practices:

• Slowing

• Sabbath

• Solitude

• Simplicity

These are four practices that I return to again and again, giving myself much needed rest and connection with God. I’m still learning what Simplicity looks like in my life (let’s just ignore the TBR piles in my office). And I’m still learning what Sabbaths can look like to bring much needed joy into my life.

And yet. “Figuring it out” or “doing it imperfectly” does not remove the need for these.

The only way we’ll survive the collapse of so many systems is if we carve out space. I don’t mean physical survival. I mean mental - the ability to stay sane in the midst of absolute chaos. Even if you don’t watch the news, you aren’t on social media, you don’t pay attention to what’s going on in the world, I’m sure we’ve all felt the tension in the air lately. Everyone is just a little on edge. There’s so much uncertainty.

I strongly believe that the only way to combat this is with setting aside time to get quiet, to tune into what your soul is telling you.

To that end, and because I need it just as much, I’m going to offer a monthly Contemplative Practice Mini-Retreat starting May 21st at 6:30PM Central. We’ll spend an hour with some poetry and readings, enter some silence and stillness, and then have some time with journaling. We’ll have a brief time of sharing at the end and get you back to your evening.

Freebie for Newsletter Subscribers

This is primarily geared for people who work in tech, but I think it could be valuable for everyone looking to make a career transition.

The guide is intended to be a journaling and reflection exercise to help nudge you toward the next right steps for your career.

You can make a copy of it with a free Notion account, or feel free to copy/paste the questions into another doc.

HAPPENINGS ON OFFER

• Contemplative Practice - A virtual mini-retreat May 21st at 6:30PM Central Time / 7:30PM Eastern / 4:30PM Pacific We’ll kick off with some reading and poetry, enter silence and stillness, and then allow a brief time for journaling and reflection. You can sign up here for $5. If you need a scholarship, no questions asked, please let me know.

• In conjunction with Art and Soul Nashville, I will be teaching an art journaling class on July 11, 2026. Registration is open! A Zoom option is available. If you are interested in the Zoom option, just let me know!

• THIS IS THE LAST WEEK TO REGISTER! Registration closes Friday, May 8th. Registration is open for my upcoming Product Group Coaching. There is a sliding scale available and if you need a payment plan (with no interest or increased rate), just let me know. Group kicks off Tuesday, May 12th at 4PM Central Time.

• Images of God Workshop - if you are in Nashville, I’d love to see you on Saturday, June 6 at 10AM. This is my practicum project for my spiritual direction training. We will explore using our 5 senses and how they impact our relationship with God.