I can honestly say that this retreat and I did not get along for the full twenty minutes. During the times that I was supposed to be focusing on the past, I was thinking about the future or the present. During the times that I was supposed to be thinking about the present, I was thinking about the future. I just couldn't seem to focus my attention on anything besides things that I needed to get done. My mind would race with little details that needed tending to this weekend and also more in advance, everything that needs to be done for next week. Appointments and errands flooded my mind and would not evaporate. There were a few times that I tried to follow the suggestion to try to bring my mind back around to the task at hand, but my mind would have none of it. I know that since I reacted so adversely to this activity, I should try it again. And I will. Just not tonight.

I'm going to stay with the gratitude section again tonight with a new exercise. This one is called, Five Minute Retreat, Open Future. Since it is a lot later than I had hoped getting started, I'm going to take the 5 minute route tonight.

There are times in our lives when it's difficult to be grateful for either our past or our present. These are the times when we need to be careful to remain open to the possibilities in our future. So sit in front of a vista, either at a window, outdoors or in front of a painting. Then close your eyes and sense the vista in front of you. Imagine your vision extends through your closed eyelids into the space in front of you, into your future. Spend these five minutes being grateful for the future possibilities that await you. p.83

From 20 Minute Retreats by Rachel Harris, PhD.