I’ve been feeling the pull toward quiet.

After a full summer — hosting the Resilient JD Summit, preparing for the MILS conference — part of me is just longing for stillness. That’s why I’m grateful to be stepping into retreat later this week.

But it reminds me of something a dear aunt once told me, years ago, when I mentioned wanting to go on a retreat. She said,
“You don’t have to pay for silence. You can turn off the phone, close the door, shut the laptop, and make your own.”

Her wisdom has stayed with me.

Yes, a formal retreat is special — the community, the dedicated space, the guidance. But the truth is, we can also choose micro-retreats right where we are. We can give ourselves an hour, an afternoon, a day, a weekend, or even just five minutes to step out of the commotion and come home to quiet.

So this is your gentle invitation:
Even amidst the noise and commotion, could you carve out your own little pause?
Turn off the phone. Close the door. Let yourself be still.

Because when we step away — even briefly — we remember we can meet the world’s commotion with just a little more steadiness and care. We can come back with more clarity, presence, and connection to what really matters.

Wishing you a moment of quiet wherever you are.