"Go instead where there is no path" 50x50" oil /cold wax medium ©Janice Mason Steeves 2011 "Language has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone" Paul Tillich My week-long home retreat was a much-needed refreshing break. It ended on July 8th, which also happens to be my birthday. Friends came over to help me celebrate. A lovely way to close off the week. I managed to follow all the guidelines I'd set up for myself: see my last blog post for the rules of engagement. I made the 'rules' to set the parameters of the retreat, to encourage myself to unplug as though I were on a small remote island for a week. I didn't use the computer at all but kept daily notes in my journal of my experience and ideas and thoughts. The occasional twinge of loneliness in the first day or two didn't last long. The creative juices...