Hip Hop Wisdom Lesson #6: Back to the Earth

Retreat, retreat is normally a call you hear when you think of military science and troops seeking safe refuge in a time of battle. Not today though. The type of retreat I am referencing has to do with cleansing and healing and has been around for thousands of years.

According to Biblical history Moses took one of the world’s first retreats as he traveled to Mount Sinai for 40 days so that he could receive divine revelation from God in the form of the Ten Commandments in hopes of saving his people. Fast forward to today and retreats may not be that long or that honorable, however, for most people that participate in them, they are extremely gratifying. Even corporations have retreats for select employees in order to help them refresh and restart.

I remember as a kid my grandmother would leave the hustle and bustle of the city every year to travel to her small hometown in the country of Arkansas. I know what you might be thinking, isn’t the whole State of Arkansas the country? Almost, but they have a few large towns, nothing like where my grandmother was coming from though. She would always go at the hottest time of the year, between the last week of July and the first week of August, and stay for about two weeks.

For some years you could see the overwhelming stress on my grandmother’s face prior to her annual retreat. Year round her house was full. Her kids, grandkids, in-laws, extended family, whoever needed a place to stay stayed with my grandmother. And with more people comes more everything. More food needed, more fights happening, more rides to school, etc. were all things my grandmother had to deal with. To her credit she handled it all with flying colors.

I always knew when it was time for my grandmother to go home. About a week prior to her trip, she would develop this glow just thinking about it. The bounce in her step was different. There was nothing you could do to put her in a bad space prior to her homecoming retreat. The day before her departure she’d get all her self care activities done and would practically be up all night because she would always leave first thing in the morning. And when she came back, she’d look 100 times better. Ready to take on the next 365 days and whatever foolishness it may bring.

Whatever memories that my grandmother had of where she came from were so strong that just thinking about them positively changed her mood. Where’s that place for you? When you need a break from the day to day BS or all the hard work you’ve put in, where will you go? Sometimes you may not be able to go anywhere except within and channel some magical thought from your past. But always be sure to make provisions to go back to the Earth. Find that secluded place near a body of water, in the mountains or in the country and cleanse yourself.

Whether you can take a retreat this calendar year or not, the following suggestions can help in the process of self rejuvenation:

• Have a clear idea of a secluded place you would like to visit

• Drink plenty of water

• Turn off all devices during waking hours for at least 30 minutes

• Eat plenty of fruits and veggies

• Learn and practice a good stress management technique

• Be grateful for where you are now and where you plan to be

• Take short road trips whenever you can (4 hours or less)

• Visit different parks and landmarks in your city or town

• Lean upon your spiritual tradition

• Find wellness retreats in your city or region