Last Friday, for the second time in my life (the first being spring break of my senior year of college), I had to scrape snow off of my car before hopping in and heading for the beach. The reason for this wintry trip to Rehoboth: a weekend-long retreat for the Volunteer Corps program that I help to coordinate through church.
There is something inherently compelling about being in a vacation town during the off season. Quiet, uncluttered streets and open stretches of beach lend themselves to getting lost in thought. True local businesses hum reliably along like beacons in stalwart relief to the blocks full of shuttered boardwalk kiosks and tourist traps. The only other group of any size I saw was there for the annual Polar Bear Plunge, which happened to coincide with our visit.
It was against this backdrop that we gathered for a weekend of camaraderie and conversation. The volunteers (five recent college graduates that the church houses for a year and sets up with assorted non-profit agencies in DC) developed an agenda around the theme of shared wisdom and life lessons for twenty-somethings. Through this framework, we discussed accomplishments, regrets, and the milestones and decisions that have shaped our lives.
Aside from the chance to spend time with a fun group of people (I learned a new game, called Fishbowl, and got to play Mafia for the first time since college!), what I appreciated most about the weekend was the chance for meaningful reflection. Occasional windbagging sessions with Maggie aside, I rarely take the time to ponder some of the big-picture issues and decisions that impact my life in such a thoughtful way, let alone benefit from the perspectives of others. Often, when I think about these things, it is by way of worrying. Stepping back a little was refreshing.
Some of the other things that will stick with me:
All in all a great weekend. I've struggled quite a bit with how church fits in my life over the past few years, but this retreat, as a manifestation of the sense of grounding and support that I value and a jumping off point for thoughtful reflection, was pretty close to perfect.
There is something inherently compelling about being in a vacation town during the off season. Quiet, uncluttered streets and open stretches of beach lend themselves to getting lost in thought. True local businesses hum reliably along like beacons in stalwart relief to the blocks full of shuttered boardwalk kiosks and tourist traps. The only other group of any size I saw was there for the annual Polar Bear Plunge, which happened to coincide with our visit.
It was against this backdrop that we gathered for a weekend of camaraderie and conversation. The volunteers (five recent college graduates that the church houses for a year and sets up with assorted non-profit agencies in DC) developed an agenda around the theme of shared wisdom and life lessons for twenty-somethings. Through this framework, we discussed accomplishments, regrets, and the milestones and decisions that have shaped our lives.
Aside from the chance to spend time with a fun group of people (I learned a new game, called Fishbowl, and got to play Mafia for the first time since college!), what I appreciated most about the weekend was the chance for meaningful reflection. Occasional windbagging sessions with Maggie aside, I rarely take the time to ponder some of the big-picture issues and decisions that impact my life in such a thoughtful way, let alone benefit from the perspectives of others. Often, when I think about these things, it is by way of worrying. Stepping back a little was refreshing.
Some of the other things that will stick with me:
When describing his natural inclination to be adventurous and see the world, one person compared his mom and dad's parenting style to a hot air balloon on a tether. They gave him the space to explore and grow, but helped to keep him grounded and tied to home and family. For whatever reason, I thought that was enormously profound, particularly as he noted how he struggles to strike the same balance with his own kids.
In a room full of Ph.Ds, fellows at major think tanks, and assorted other decorated big-wigs, many people turned first to relationships with family and friends when discussing their proudest accomplishments.
Spirituality is defined differently by many people, but is, at root, tied to personal growth.
All in all a great weekend. I've struggled quite a bit with how church fits in my life over the past few years, but this retreat, as a manifestation of the sense of grounding and support that I value and a jumping off point for thoughtful reflection, was pretty close to perfect.
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