Writer's Retreat at a Lakeside Cabin

A successful start to my isolated, Thoreau-style retreat. This is the lonely cabin where I'll be quietly writing over the next few days -- putting concepts to paper for our weekly Tips & Tricks (#photographers, link in profile to sign up for this excellent free resource), upcoming #ShutterMag articles, plus curricula for our #wppi2015 / #Shutterfest2015 classes. Lots to do! So little time. But I'm trying not to underestimate the importance of a quiet mind and allowing my thoughts to wander. Culturally, we tend to buckle down and "do, do, do," don't we? Sometimes the creative process requires you to decompress and breathe in some fresh inspiration. I'm thankful for @eileenmblume, my lovely bride, who encouraged me to get away while she keeps our girls. (Amazing how much I miss her and them after just one day.) Thankful for my sister and bro-in-law opening up this perfectly serene place to me. Thankful for God's Word calming my mind this afternoon and for His creation to run through when it's time to blow off some steam. If it's been a while since you last took a breath, I encourage you to schedule a time to do it. A retreat isn't surrender. It doesn't even have to be time off. But it is a smart way to acknowledge your limits and allow your mind to reset. Productivity is not the result of bucking your physical limits; it is the result of tuning in to who you are and working within the realm of that wonderful design.