“The Best Retreat Is In Here, Not Out There.” — The Daily Stoic

People seek retreats for themselves in the country, by the seas, or in the mountains. As a society, we are very much in the habit of yearning for the same “escapes.”

But we often forget we can find such a retreat within ourselves at any moment.

For nowhere can you find a more peaceful and less busy retreat than in your own soul — especially if it is full of ease and peace, which I say is nothing more than being well-ordered.

Treat yourself often to this retreat and be renewed.

You’re Not Present

How often have you found yourself doing one of the following: wishing you were somewhere else, planning trips because you can’t stand where you are, thinking about escaping from your daily life, desiring to go off somewhere with breathtaking views, or anticipating positive change after reaching a specific milestone?

Do these thoughts ever run across your mind…

• “After achieving this objective, I will find happiness.”
• “When I earn x amount of money, I will experience more freedom.”
• “When my children move out, I’ll have more time to do what I want.”
• “When I move to x, I’ll finally have peace.”
• “When I meet my soulmate, I will finally be able to enjoy life.”
• “When my health is restored, I’ll have my life back.”
• “When I pay off all of my debts, I won’t be stressed anymore.”

And the list goes on and on.

What scenario have you been focusing on lately that’s preventing you from staying right here, right now, in the present moment?

“Wherever you go, there you are.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn

This quote is empowering when practiced, but it’s challenging for many of us to execute. Living in the present moment can be painful, uneasy, anxiety-inducing, and stressful. But living in the future can feel the same.

The Present Is Empowering

Do you want to know what’s so good about living in the present moment? If you don’t like something, you can change it. If you can’t accept something, you can take action to help you accept it.

If you are struggling to locate peace, seek within yourself — at this very moment.

You can do everything and more in the present moment, but you can’t do anything in the future because the present is all you have.

The future is nowhere to be found. In reality, it is an abstract concept and inaccessible because the future is the accumulation of a whole bunch of present moments.

Be Inner-Directed

Things won’t be better when something happens in the future. Things will be better when you decide to be at peace with your life as it is now.

• What can you do right now to improve your situation?
• If you can’t do anything, what can you change within yourself to find and be at peace with your life as it is now?

Richard Carlson encourages others to be inner-directed (not influenced by external circumstances, but instead directed by your internal values and self-discipline); this creates a much easier road for you in life.

You determine how you respond to life; no one else.

So how will you respond to life today?

Lesson Summary

If you need a vacation and can’t get away physically, how can you create a retreat within yourself and your current surroundings?

When you cultivate your soul and life to be a retreat, you will be more intentional about your getaway destinations; you might also need and desire vacations less.

• If you aren’t happy, what needs to change internally so you can be happy?
• If you don’t like your life, what can you do now in the present moment to make your life more enjoyable?

Remember: 1) Create the change you want to experience in your life in yourself first. 2) Create the future you desire in the present moment.