Colmar retreat
I havnt had time to recap the road trip up to Colmar. I hope I can still recall.
It was retreat at least for me to spend some quiet time with myself, the weeks before that was filled with work, deadlines, assignments, lectures and late nites in the office going through all the legal documents as well as the audit which gave me sleepless nites. Had the bazaar to plan for to top it up. The trip came very timely then, to allow be to take a breather, as well as to think about IT. I guess I've found an avenue to turn to. Just like the last time i went to HK (a one day notice) to do some soul searching, 3 weeks in Melbourne to really think about what i wanted to do in life...this time, it was Colmar...
So...some revelations ....
We went up in 2 cars, Leslie, Michelle, Julius, Pauline, Colin and Val. 3 couples and me. Well, she was suppose to come along but i don't think there's a need for any explanation. I guess it was all planned, and i believe i made the right decision not to back out. Julius & Pauline -the newly weds who are expecting a new additon to the family, Leslie & Michelle, my dear buddy getting married next year, and the newly attached couple -Colin and Val. Sometimes, i really wonder, does HE really need to be that obvious, putting me in there to see the 3 variations...
Anyway, the journey up was spent with Leslie & Michelle, a really long chat on the way up. We were discussing about how people have changed over the years, that relationships will change too, or rather grow, if not wither. About how I've changed over the years, the people whom ive met and developed love and friendship in the process. Its all part of growing up, maturing and experiences. As we discussed further, you're more aware of who you are, and who you are is the outcome of the life journey so far. I'm glad that the many falls along the way made me become more careful each time i step into a 'pothole'. Its these experience that help nurture our character.
At Colmar, it was a place of serenity and peace. Your mind at rest. You just feel that you have been taken away from the secular world and placed in a environment free from stress and trouble. You know it wont last long but then again, you tell yourself that you need to treasure the moment while it lasts., which I did. Apart from the 3 nites of games and each others' "home", there were times that I was left alone, to really think about IT. I can still remember the 1st nite when we had Italian and we went round the table, sharing our love experience, actually, it was how the 3 couples got to know each other and how they ended up together. Indeed, it was a heart to heart sharing, and it really warms my heart to know that its really as simple as it is, nothing fantastic nor elaborate, but plain simple. Love grows.( that’s what I gathered from our little fellowship). That nite was priceless, 7 of us, over desserts and beer, kept going on about our life stories and how wonderful it was meeing their partner and how they became lovers, and eventually, becoming a family.
Frankly, I was torn in between, should I be feeling envious or contended? feelings were mixed, that was what I had to struggle with. Then I thought to myself, love did grow in me, and went away, 3 times, well, I tend to see it as this – At least it grew in me, didn’t last long, but I would rather love and lost than not to love all. I would give up anything just to feel that.. even if its for a moment. Then again, the question is, the next time when it grows in you, how do you make it stay longer, if not forever?
Sometimes, you ask yourself, when? When will that moment be?. Do we wait? Or do we be proactive. Love is only love when you give it away.
Day 2, spent the day painting with Pauline and Michelle, had an interesting discussion on what ladies really want these days. It made me realized issues that never cross my mind, things guys do not usually see. Shant disclose too much here..heh, glad they provided me with deep insides.
Can’t really recall much on the sequence on activities there but we played tennis one morning, played with bunnies in the rabbit park, had Japanese tea ceremony in the Jap Park, trekking through the little rainforest….
That nite we had French Cuisine, sipping wine and continued sharing. Another priceless evening with great company.
The trip back.. I decided to bum Colin and Val to the Benz and took the ride with the newly weds. Of course, another long discussion along the way. Shant go into details again, all I can say is, I took home a lot. Things that I never did realize, views that you thought never exists, issues that are present but are usually overlooked and things we all take for granted. In short, all I can say is…they are both instruments of God, and im glad I took it with an open heart.
What a trip! If only this happens more often…
It was retreat at least for me to spend some quiet time with myself, the weeks before that was filled with work, deadlines, assignments, lectures and late nites in the office going through all the legal documents as well as the audit which gave me sleepless nites. Had the bazaar to plan for to top it up. The trip came very timely then, to allow be to take a breather, as well as to think about IT. I guess I've found an avenue to turn to. Just like the last time i went to HK (a one day notice) to do some soul searching, 3 weeks in Melbourne to really think about what i wanted to do in life...this time, it was Colmar...
So...some revelations ....
We went up in 2 cars, Leslie, Michelle, Julius, Pauline, Colin and Val. 3 couples and me. Well, she was suppose to come along but i don't think there's a need for any explanation. I guess it was all planned, and i believe i made the right decision not to back out. Julius & Pauline -the newly weds who are expecting a new additon to the family, Leslie & Michelle, my dear buddy getting married next year, and the newly attached couple -Colin and Val. Sometimes, i really wonder, does HE really need to be that obvious, putting me in there to see the 3 variations...
Anyway, the journey up was spent with Leslie & Michelle, a really long chat on the way up. We were discussing about how people have changed over the years, that relationships will change too, or rather grow, if not wither. About how I've changed over the years, the people whom ive met and developed love and friendship in the process. Its all part of growing up, maturing and experiences. As we discussed further, you're more aware of who you are, and who you are is the outcome of the life journey so far. I'm glad that the many falls along the way made me become more careful each time i step into a 'pothole'. Its these experience that help nurture our character.
At Colmar, it was a place of serenity and peace. Your mind at rest. You just feel that you have been taken away from the secular world and placed in a environment free from stress and trouble. You know it wont last long but then again, you tell yourself that you need to treasure the moment while it lasts., which I did. Apart from the 3 nites of games and each others' "home", there were times that I was left alone, to really think about IT. I can still remember the 1st nite when we had Italian and we went round the table, sharing our love experience, actually, it was how the 3 couples got to know each other and how they ended up together. Indeed, it was a heart to heart sharing, and it really warms my heart to know that its really as simple as it is, nothing fantastic nor elaborate, but plain simple. Love grows.( that’s what I gathered from our little fellowship). That nite was priceless, 7 of us, over desserts and beer, kept going on about our life stories and how wonderful it was meeing their partner and how they became lovers, and eventually, becoming a family.
Frankly, I was torn in between, should I be feeling envious or contended? feelings were mixed, that was what I had to struggle with. Then I thought to myself, love did grow in me, and went away, 3 times, well, I tend to see it as this – At least it grew in me, didn’t last long, but I would rather love and lost than not to love all. I would give up anything just to feel that.. even if its for a moment. Then again, the question is, the next time when it grows in you, how do you make it stay longer, if not forever?
Sometimes, you ask yourself, when? When will that moment be?. Do we wait? Or do we be proactive. Love is only love when you give it away.
Day 2, spent the day painting with Pauline and Michelle, had an interesting discussion on what ladies really want these days. It made me realized issues that never cross my mind, things guys do not usually see. Shant disclose too much here..heh, glad they provided me with deep insides.
Can’t really recall much on the sequence on activities there but we played tennis one morning, played with bunnies in the rabbit park, had Japanese tea ceremony in the Jap Park, trekking through the little rainforest….
That nite we had French Cuisine, sipping wine and continued sharing. Another priceless evening with great company.
The trip back.. I decided to bum Colin and Val to the Benz and took the ride with the newly weds. Of course, another long discussion along the way. Shant go into details again, all I can say is, I took home a lot. Things that I never did realize, views that you thought never exists, issues that are present but are usually overlooked and things we all take for granted. In short, all I can say is…they are both instruments of God, and im glad I took it with an open heart.
What a trip! If only this happens more often…
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