A friend of mine needs to take an unpaid leave to attend her annual retreat. I mentioned about this friend (B) to another friend of mine (A). I told A that B went to World Youth Day recently, so she did not have enough annual leave to attend her retreat. Surprisingly, B responded: Is A dying to go for a retreat?
I was very shocked. A bit sad too, because I thought B would understand. So I just replied, "Umm.. retreat once a year is normal, right? It's a commitment."
These are some other responses of other friends when they were asked to go for a retreat:
x: I just meditate on my own. Haha.
y: No time
z: etc etc
Looking back, I didn't even think to 'sacrifice' my annual leave to go for a retreat (not even an 'unpaid leave', but annual leave). When I was in university, I thought annual leave would be something very precious for me. I want to go home! I want to travel!
However, I would like to make a comparison between annual retreat and annual vacation. We always have weekends, nevertheless, we can't deny that we need a longer break once in a while. We jump and plan a long weekend properly because we know, that normal weekend is not enough! We also meet our parents every day or go out with them on weekends, yet we still need a family vacation, to relax and just spend an uninterrupted time with them once a year.
Recharge.
That's what a retreat does to our soul. I believe when I grow older, to go for annual retreat requires more sacrifice. One day, my future spouse will need to take care of the kids while I go for my retreat (and I will need to survive alone too when he goes for a retreat). Annual leave is even more precious: to have vacation with my own family, to visit my parents, to visit future spouse's parents if we live overseas. Nevertheless, I feel encouraged that there are many (yes, MANY!) parents of big families still commit to this personal retreat once a year.
It's an investment.
Because after resting with God, we can't deny that we'll be more cheerful and our family and friends will get the impact too.
So yeah..we shouldn't be shocked that an individual takes an unpaid leave to go for a retreat. Love needs sacrifice right? On the other hand, I guess I shouldn't be shocked either that someone is shocked of this fact =P Not every person can understand this commitment. Just like many other people do not understand why many couples are trying to be generous and opened to life, just like many other people do not understand why we Catholics need to find Church even on vacation, just like many other people do not understand why we...pray.
anyway, looking forward for my boyfriend to come back from his retreat. Maybe can see a 'halo' above his head tomorrow. HAHAHAHA.
I was very shocked. A bit sad too, because I thought B would understand. So I just replied, "Umm.. retreat once a year is normal, right? It's a commitment."
These are some other responses of other friends when they were asked to go for a retreat:
x: I just meditate on my own. Haha.
y: No time
z: etc etc
Looking back, I didn't even think to 'sacrifice' my annual leave to go for a retreat (not even an 'unpaid leave', but annual leave). When I was in university, I thought annual leave would be something very precious for me. I want to go home! I want to travel!
However, I would like to make a comparison between annual retreat and annual vacation. We always have weekends, nevertheless, we can't deny that we need a longer break once in a while. We jump and plan a long weekend properly because we know, that normal weekend is not enough! We also meet our parents every day or go out with them on weekends, yet we still need a family vacation, to relax and just spend an uninterrupted time with them once a year.
Recharge.
That's what a retreat does to our soul. I believe when I grow older, to go for annual retreat requires more sacrifice. One day, my future spouse will need to take care of the kids while I go for my retreat (and I will need to survive alone too when he goes for a retreat). Annual leave is even more precious: to have vacation with my own family, to visit my parents, to visit future spouse's parents if we live overseas. Nevertheless, I feel encouraged that there are many (yes, MANY!) parents of big families still commit to this personal retreat once a year.
It's an investment.
Because after resting with God, we can't deny that we'll be more cheerful and our family and friends will get the impact too.
So yeah..we shouldn't be shocked that an individual takes an unpaid leave to go for a retreat. Love needs sacrifice right? On the other hand, I guess I shouldn't be shocked either that someone is shocked of this fact =P Not every person can understand this commitment. Just like many other people do not understand why many couples are trying to be generous and opened to life, just like many other people do not understand why we Catholics need to find Church even on vacation, just like many other people do not understand why we...pray.
anyway, looking forward for my boyfriend to come back from his retreat. Maybe can see a 'halo' above his head tomorrow. HAHAHAHA.
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