There are just so many incredible people in the world that I feel fortunate to cross paths with. We had an amazing day in the Blue Mountains with a group of such souls at ‘The Wild In Us’ nature and art retreat on the weekend. A combination of meditation, art and outdoor therapy luring us to reconnect with our ‘wild selves’ – the free and untamed version inside all of us that the city can sometimes separate us from.

It was the first retreat of it’s kind run by the beautiful Kellie Miles of Bondi Counselling and her partner Peter Hodgkinson who opened their hearts and their breathtaking Katoomba home to the inaugural group, taking us on a creative journey that left us buzzing for the rest of the weekend.

We took a bush walk to an open cliff overlooking the National Park gorge which literally stopped us in our tracks. It’s amazing how just being in such a naturally captivating space makes you reconnect and feel so creative. I’m going out on a limb here sharing this, but I was feeling particularly inspired as we sat there and took in the silence of the canyon before us that I started writing and this is what appeared on the page:

I find the seat of my soul surrounded by nature,
Her majestic wilderness brings me home and reminds me of who I am.
I can’t capture her beauty with my lens so I listen and feel,
The vastness of her love is reflected in her serene - seamless and forever.
Your heart is safe here, I hear her say,
Your spirit is endless as long as you remember who you are.
Come closer and realise you’re exactly where you need to be,
One more step and you’ll be one with yourself.
Stand at the edge and accept everything that is,
Beautiful, present and perfect.

Keep an eye on Kellie’s facebook page for upcoming ‘Wild in us’ nature & art retreats.

About Ingrid Schroder

A Sydney-side freelance graphic designer, photographer & yoga teacher - I find myself turning to nature for guaranteed revival from the crazy pace of city life - be it digging in my garden, capturing natural beauty through a lens, floating in the ocean, practicing yoga or out exploring this incredible planet we all call home. Follow me on twitter @Cohabitaire