“The more stuff you love the happier you will be.”

— Ross Gay, The Book of Delights: Essays

That above quote might seem silly and simplistic… obvious even? But it’s so true! It’s brain science. The more we practice our positive viewpoint/gratitude muscle, the more positive perspective we are able to more regularly embrace. Positive neural plasticity! The brain is an amazing muscle we can work on - forming new neural pathways and strengthening them.

That’s what our book club read for this retreat was all about: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. Intentionally notice daily delights, and in turn your “delight radar” will become more in tune. The more you seek delights in the ordinary, and mundane areas of your life, the more they will reveal themselves to you.

And what a delight this September weekend retreat truly was, indeed!! Right from the start, we enjoyed a glorious sunshiny yoga session outdoors. We took in the smell of the grass, the feel of the sunbeams streaming across our bodies, the sounds of the leaves fluttering, and the sites of the fall colors beginning to change.

After dinner, folks got to choose either a sunset paddle with Elizabeth Sorensen or an evening Zentangle 101 art session with Cat Cronemeyer.

Retreaters also enjoyed the lakeside wood-fired sauna throughout the weekend.

The water was unseasonably warm, but still provided a soothing cold-plunge with sandy bottom below and beautiful sky + lake scenes above. The nighttime stargazing while in the lake is my FAVORITE.

On Saturday, we had a full day of choices. Whether hiking + paddling was your area of interest, art opportunities, or yoga - we had it alllllll!!!

Bryana & Elizabeth each took separate groups out for small-group paddling and/or hiking in the three pristine little lakes called “The Shurds” at Camp Olson. Upon entering, you feel like you’re in a different, remote world.

Cat taught art sessions such as Field Journaling & Nature Sketching, Intro to Watercoloring, and Zentangle 201!

Elizabeth taught a gentle yoga session, combined with a sound healing session: sound bowls, chimes, and ocean drum sent us all into a relaxed trance.

Jaina led us in a soothing yin yoga session. It was so grounding, and delivered with loving intention and care. I can still hear her voice, gently encouraging us toward, “sweetness”.

Bryana taught a yoga + journaling session around the concepts of our book club: The Book of Delights.

“It didn’t take me long to learn that the discipline or practice of writing these essays occasioned a kind of delight radar. Or maybe it was more like the development of a delight muscle. Something that implies that the more you study delight, the more delight there is to study.”

— Ross Gay, The Book of Delights: Essays

In our down-time, many of us enjoyed hiking around the stunning Camp Olson campus, a sauna session, or relaxing in a hammock.

Several of us gathered for a lakeside campfire on Saturday evening to top of a delightful day.

Meals with the Green Scene were, as always, a true delight. We were nourished so well! Plus our yoga crew helped with set-up and clean-up of some meals and did not fail in the entertainment department. This jovial group of women is so wonderful to work with - I can’t even tell ya!!! Speaking of… thank you so much for sharing your talents with us for the retreat (in SO many big and small ways). I always like to say that the little things are really big things. Ya’ll are FABULOUS. Please check out more of their offerings in the links below:

‘Twas a delightful weekend indeed. I absolutely adore this combination: art, movement, nature at serene Camp Olson. Let’s do it again next September, shall we?