After several weeks of travel and writing, I am back from a retreat in Arizona where we discussed and experienced what it means to be in alignment. May was a busy month–I spent time in Virginia with my family, and we added a trip to Deale, Maryland where a friend let us stay in her home on the water. Being there reminded me of my parents, who have both passed on, but it was a good memory, for they loved the water and had a home on Hilton Head for many years. As soon as I arrived, I felt my breathing slow down and let my body settle into the slow pace the location offered.

I have been very busy with working on a book and submitting essays for consideration in a few publications. I never know how it will work out, but my job is to do the writing, so that is what I focus on. As part of a writing community, I find that I spend much more time writing, but I am also learning so much from the other writers, regardless of their chosen genres. 

I get inspiration from other art forms, such as live music and theatre, and have enjoyed both in the past month. I saw a performance of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, part of his American Century Cycle of ten plays reflecting the lives of Black people in the 20th century. In Louisville, Kentucky, I went to hear Rhiannon Giddens and her band play, something I did last year in Durham at the Biscuits and Banjoes Festival.  Next up, jazz and opera–I sample different genres in music, as I do in my reading.

The book discussion I hosted, Beloved: A Communal Exploration of Toni Morrison’s Award-winning Novel, ended in May, but since Ohio will be celebrating Morrison and her work until February 2027, there are still monthly discussions of all of her books. You can learn more about the many offerings at Literary Cleveland; the talks are free, online, and there are always good facilitators and authors participating. I read Sula for the first time and see why it is the favorite Morrison book for many of her readers.

After the whirl of activity and work, it was ideal to slow down at The Aligned Life Retreat in Scottsdale. Although the schedule was replete with speakers and hands-on workshops, we could choose the sessions that spoke to us or take the time to relax. I did a little of both. Being among a group of focused women who are managing complicated, fulfilling careers while taking care of their personal needs was inspiring. In addition to the work of building businesses, there were activities such as yoga, somatic movement, and for me, a first – a sound bath. Mind, body, and spirit were all attended to, depending on how you structured the day.

If it sounds like a lot, it has been, but I have paced myself, at the retreat, and over the last several weeks. If I make sure that I add in margin, a bit of space between the activity, I am fine. I wrote about this a few weeks ago and will share that with you soon. 

I hope your summer is going well and that you have plans for rest, fun, and work. May your life be in alignment with your deepest goals and dreams. 

Ramona