The Restory Retreat Centre

  Elders "The real elder is like a tree: the older it gets, the more shade it provides."  Sufi saying                    The Conversation Elements From The Conversation In this conversation, we addressed the following issues that can help one age wisely:  A regular faith practice The gradual abandonment of the priorities of the "first half of life"  The formative influence of hardship, failure, and the inability to answer all of life's questions  Letting go of the grip of absolute control Music "Wiegala" is a lullaby composed by the Jewish poet and composer Ilse Weber. She wrote it while she was a prisoner in the Theresienstadt concentration camp during World War II. At the camp, she worked as a nurse and used her music to comfort the children in her care. When the children she cared for were sent to the Auschwitz extermination camp, she chose to go with them. "Wiegala" is believed to have been the last song she ...

  Oudstes "Die ware oudste is soos 'n boom: hoe ouer dit word, hoe meer skaduwee bied dit." Sufi gesegde                    Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Met hierdie opname het ons aan die volgende sake aandag gegee wat mens kan help om wys oud te word: 'n Gereelde geloofspraktyk Die geleidelike agterlaat van die "eerste helfte van lewe" se prioriteite Die vormende invloed van swaarkry, mislukking, en die onvermoë om al die lewensvrae te beantwoord Om die greep op absolute beheer te laat gaan Musiek "Wiegala" is 'n slaapliedjie gekomponeer deur die Joodse digter en komponis Ilse Weber. Sy het dit geskryf terwyl sy tydens die Tweede Wêreldoorlog 'n gevangene in die Theresienstadt-konsentrasiekamp was. By die kamp het sy as verpleegster gewerk en haar musiek gebruik om die kinders onder haar sorg te troos. Toe die kinders wat sy versorg het, na die Auschwitz-uitwissingskamp gestuur is, het sy gekies om saam met hulle te gaan. D...

  Growing Older The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Annie Dillard's advice on writing is also applicable to life in general.  Music May the wisdom that comes with age, help you to do Mary Oliver's 3 things. All our love. George & Matilda

  Ouer Word Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Annie Dillard se raad t.o.v skryf is ook van toepassing op die lewe in die algemeen. Musiek Mag die wysheid wat met die jare kom, jou help om Mary Oliver se 3 dinge te doen. Al ons liefde. George & Matilda

  Success   The Conversation Elements From The Conversation In our conversation, we mention Robert Walser. Robert Walser around 1900 More about Robert Walser "A writer must be able to write even if no one notices."               Robert Walser                                    Music Actually, after much thought and talk, it is safe to assume that we are successful when we are happy. Now, go and be the success that only you can be.  All our love.  George & Matilda

Sukses   Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek In ons gesprek noem ons Robert Walser. Robert Walser rondom 1900 Meer oor Robert Walser "A writer must be able to write even if no one notices."               Robert Walser                                    Musiek Eintlik is dit, nadat baie gedink en gesê is, veilig om aan te neem dat ons suksesvol is wanneer ons gelukkig is. Nou gaan wees die sukses wat net jy kan wees. Al ons liefde. George & Matilda

  Joy In The Making Let's start with a short reflection that tries to express what today's topic is about. Perhaps you recognize yourself in it. There is a joy that does not shout. That does not wait for applause or stand proudly on a stage. That does not stumble over perfectionism or self-criticism. It is the gentle smile of someone who sits still and looks at something that came through their own hands— and is now alive. It is not self-pride. Rather, it is a sacred yes: an assent to the Word that created light, a participation in the Breath that lets everything be. It is not about achievement, but commitment. It is not even pride — it is reverence. When you give form to what has grown within you— a poem, a sketch, a loaf of bread, a word of comfort— then you experience that joy: not you as the origin of that creation, but as a friend of the Creator. And you whisper softly to yourself, like God on the seventh day: “It is good.” Matilda's joys George's The Conversation ...

Vreugde In Die Maak Daarvan Kom ons begin met 'n kort refleksie wat probeer uitdruk waaroor vandag se onderwerp gaan. Miskien herken jy jouself daarin. Daar is genot wat nie skree nie. Wat nie op applous wag of trots op ’n verhoog staan nie. Wat nie gepootjie word deur perfeksionisme of selfkritiek nie. Dis die sagte glimlag van iemand wat stil sit en kyk na iets wat deur hul eie hande gekom het— en wat nou lewe. Dit is nie selftrots nie. Dit is eerder ’n heilige ja: ’n instemming met die Woord wat lig geskep het, ’n deelname aan die Asem wat alles laat wees. Dit gaan nie om prestasie nie, maar verbintenis. Dit is nie eers trots nie — dit is eerbied. Wanneer jy vorm gee aan wat innerlik in jou gegroei het— ’n gedig, ’n skets, ’n brood, ’n woord van vertroosting— dan ervaar jy daardie vreugde: nie jy as die oorsprong van daardie skepping nie, maar as ’n vriend van die Skepper. En jy fluister sag vir jouself, soos God op die sewende dag: “Dit is goed.” Matilda se vreugdes. George s...

  We invite you to the Contemplative Gathering in Wakkerstroom over the weekend of August 8-10, 2025. What is Christian Contemplative Spirituality? Christian contemplative spirituality is a simple, quiet way of praying and living, where one learns to be present with God — without many words, just with an open heart. It is not a new idea. It is rooted in the Bible and the early church, where believers became quiet to experience God’s presence. It is not about special techniques or strange ideas, but about resting in God’s love — like Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39). Unfortunately, this simple, quiet way of living and praying was never a strong current in the church. We were often more focused on doing, talking, and complicated doctrines. But today there is a rediscovery underway — a revival of this old, biblical path. Small groups of contemplatives are starting to pop up everywhere. Yet it can be a lonely journey. Knowing of others who are also learning to be quiet before G...

  Ons nooi jou uit na die Kontemplatiewe Samekoms in Wakkerstroom oor die naweek van 8-10 Augustus 2025. Wat is Christelike Kontemplatiewe Spiritualiteit? Christelike kontemplatiewe spiritualiteit is ’n eenvoudige, stil manier van bid en leef, waar ’n mens leer om teenwoordig te wees by God — sonder baie woorde, net met ’n oop hart. Dis nie ’n nuwe idee nie. Dis gewortel in die Bybel en die vroeë kerk, waar gelowiges stil geword het om God se teenwoordigheid te ervaar. Dit gaan nie oor spesiale tegnieke of vreemde idees nie, maar oor rus in God se liefde — soos Maria wat aan Jesus se voete sit (Lukas 10:39). Ongelukkig was hierdie eenvoudige, stil manier van leef en bid nooit ’n sterk stroom in die kerk nie. Ons was dikwels meer ingestel op doen, praat, en ingewikkelde leerstellings. Maar vandag is daar ’n herontdekking aan die gang — ’n herlewing van hierdie ou, Bybelse pad. Klein groepies kontemplatiewes begin orals opduik. Tog kan dit ’n alleen-reis wees. Om te weet van ander wa...

  I Have Agency   ~ ❖ ~ "If our story is a story of victimization or of "things just happening" without our consent or participation, we have not yet become conscious of ourselves as storytellers, as having the capacity to authorize our lives, change our minds and our behaviors, and create another story or chapter in our lives." Janet K. Ruffing            ~ ❖ ~ The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music May you have spaces where you can tell your story, and may you be brave enough to change in the trelling. All our love.  George & Matilda