Spring: a time of growth & renewal.

Sometimes we describe difficult times in our lives as winter, probably influenced by the famous line from William Shakespeare's play Richard III "Now is the winter of our discontent".

Based on this idea, it has been another wintery year for us: from the call in the night about our son-in-law’s passing, Bronwyn spending half the week with our daughter and grandchildren to support them as they navigate the changes, grief and all those ‘firsts’, Max keeping Fosterton retreat pottering along, until the 1st anniversary just around the corner. It has been challenging.

This idea of using seasons to describe our emotional life is also used in the programme Seasons for Growth. It's designed for children, young people, and adults experiencing big change, loss, or grief, build resilience, social and emotional wellbeing. Max has been trained in this great programme and we hope to run one next year at Fosterton Retreat.

As we leave winter behind, in both senses, Fosterton Retreat is bursting with plant growth, flowers, insects in search of pollen (sorry to those who that has an adverse affect on) and new life is evident. Wallaby joeys are grazing, and reptiles are on the move again; happily I’ve only seen the local Eastern Water Dragons rather than snakes.

We know our lives are shaped in a number of ways by the weather, (spring here at Fosterton has already dished up some VERY warm days), but no matter what the weather brings, we can choose how to foster personal, spiritual and physical renewal and growth.

This is not always easy. There has been a certain isolation my role this year has brought, along with months of managing pain as I wait for surgery on my compressed nerve. Crazily I still battle with making time to create, my weight, and balancing life with those pictures of how I thought it would be at this stage (I was to be at Fosterton Retreat more this year). While we have willingly chosen this road and made the necessary changes it is not without a cost for both of us.

To be clear, our daughter is grateful and there have been so many amazing moments of healing, growth and even joy with each of them, as we’ve journeyed this year so closely.

I know my practise of noticing and recording things I’m grateful for has been part of what sustains me, along with other spiritual and reflective practises. Things like spiritual direction and online spiritual nourishment (which has had a bigger role this past year, some of these are listed below with links*) plus a small circle of understanding and supportive friends/family.

Now we’re in spring. So, what renewal and growth am I looking at/for this stage?

More consistent creating time,

Better care of my health,

Renewed connection with wonderful people,

Focus on Fosterton Retreat,

Strength and enjoyment as we move into the next stage of supporting the family.

Not everyone is struggling with grief and loss but the quote "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" is a good reminder (from 19th century Scottish minister and author Ian Maclaren, often attributed to Charles Dickens or even Plato).

If you (or someone close to you) are fighting a hard battle here are some good questions we use from Choice Theory:

What do you want?

What have you tried?

Is it working?

What else could you try?

Do you need help? If so who could help you?

If help is needed there are some options below**

All we do at Fosterton Retreat from accommodation to retreats is because we want to help nurture people's wellbeing, growth, renewal, and healing. Benefits from this extends to families, workplaces, communities and the world.

Our values underpin this desire:

Connection, Re-creation & Restoration Creativity

Nurture by nature Transformation Gratitude

Thinking globally, acting locally Contemplation & Reflection

We hope that the 2 retreats still to come in 2025 (Space for God & Wrapping Up) and all we offer in future can nurture you in some way. Some dates for 2026 will be out in the December newsletter.

Call or email us to find out more, or discuss possibilities: 0490 663 228 or fostertonretreat@outlook.com

We look forward to what the next stage brings.

Bronwyn Greive October 2025

*Some of the online places I've enjoyed spiritual nourishment from:

Center for Action and Contemplation, founded by Richard Rohr

Abbey of the Arts: transformative Living through contemplative and expressive arts

Kate Bowler: The world of Kate Bowler is beautiful and terrible and as human as it gets. A young (ish), female, Canadian Professor of Religious History.

**Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue Counselling on 1300 22 4636

Other options for emergency help https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/urgent-help

Blackdog institute has a list of services https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/emergency-help/

Or contact your local community centre or church