Men’s Retreat Reflection By: Elliott Bostrom
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I was on “walkabout,” wandering a nearby trail trying to get in touch with my inner child (which is tough to do when you feel like you were born a grown-up). As I was walking, I came upon an old tree alongside the path. I stopped. There was something about that tree that made me pause. I stood there for a moment and suddenly felt the urge to lean against it, as if the tree was calling me to do so. As soon as my shoulder rested on the tree I immediately broke down. I didn’t really understand why, but I let the tears fall anyway. I stayed there for a few minutes, letting the tears run I maintained my openness through all the activities their course, and then proceeded on my “walkabout.” and sessions, and my emotional experience ran the spectrum: excitement, freedom, peace, surrender, Later that day, I found myself clinging for dear life to fear, joy, relief, compassion, sorrow, vulnerability, the shoulders of two other gentlemen as we navigated and strength. But a couple moments in particular the high ropes course. High up in the air, walking on thin, wobbly wires and free-swinging beams, I stood out. was utterly terrified. Plus, there was an additional n a Friday afternoon in late September, I met with a couple other gentlemen to carpool down to the Abiding Hope Men’s Retreat without much more than an open heart. I wasn’t sure why I had said “yes” to participating, other than a feeling that it was something I needed but wanted to avoid. On the drive down, I enjoyed getting to know the guys I was driving with. When we arrived at camp, we unloaded the car, got settled, and off we went.
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