This month's Moment of Inspiration comes from a personal experience of mine. In early January, I attended the Haramara Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico with Pilates instructor Tonya Lenheim. I spent a week in nature without technology, in awe of how the world can be when we pause and disconnect. This pause provided me with time to reflect, allowing for a "reboot" of the senses and a return to the basics. Now, I feel that I've returned with a feeling of centeredness.
I arrived to the Pilates/Yoga retreat feeling out of whack and exhausted, but I left feeling re-energized and re-calibrated. It was such a comfortable setting; we slept in semi-outdoor cabanas out in the jungle, not too far from the ocean. As one finds when they're outside for long periods of time, I felt so many health benefits just from moving around outside, doing pilates in the fresh air, swimming in cool, clean water, and simply breathing in forested air. Soaking in these elements day after day made me feel healthier mentally and physically.
Toward the end of my week there, a few of us went out on a small boat and viewed beautiful humpback whales, mothers with their newborns. We had a chance to watch as the mothers taught their newborns to swim and play. It was truly an incredible sight to see humpback whales breaching and splashing in the water all around us.
From attending this retreat, I discovered what can happen when you do nothing, when you unplug and completely immerse yourself in nature for a period of time. Separating myself from the everyday hustle and bustle was exactly what I needed to return to work with a new sense of focus.
This recent trip, in conjunction with closing out the previous year, inspired me to reflect on the past year while also thinking about the future year that lies ahead. Moving peacefully into 2018, I want our team to be able to offer a balanced approach that will keep us centered on the values we've developed at SZ:
Communication
Effectively communicating in an approachable, effective and friendly manner to ensure all parties are satisfied.
Balance
Finding a natural frequency for each project team, between all aspects and across various disciplines.
Community
Serving as a place for cultural exchange through hosting exhibits and events at SZ Gallery that enlighten discussions within the industry and beyond.
Ingenuity
Arriving at solutions through collaborative problem solving, and exploring creative expressions along the way.
Conscientiousness
Sensitivity to each client's individual needs and respecting the environment through architectural integrity.
Happy 2018, and may positivity and balance guide your year to come - Namaste, Suzanne.