The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Marcel Proust

As this note hits your inbox, I’ll be in the middle of nowhere. Well, not nowhere. Actually in the middle of Ross Lake in Washington state. Which happens to be spectacularly free of cell or wifi signals.

I haven’t been completely incommunicado for a decade, I reckon. (And how do you like Latin and country all in the same sentence?) When the invitation came from my honey to spend this week away – REALLY AWAY – my answer was an unequivocal yes. Scared, of course, to be off the grid, my mind filled with a million ‘What ifs…’

My friends think I retreat more than any human being. But this… removed from the world (and my devices!)… is not something I do very often. To relinquish my tether to civilization and have faith that the world (and all the people who depend on me) will be fine without me for a few days makes me quiver.

But I’m doing it anyway. As we speak. Floating in a log cabin, taking the boat out for a daily ‘stroll’ around the lake, and letting the quiet wash away the frenzy of a very big life.

This is an edge for me, and we’ll have to see how I emerge – post retreat. Chances are very high that I will feel great – clean, clear, content.

I strongly believe we all need a bit of this in our lives. Hitting the reset button on our routines and rituals helps give us perspective to know whether our choices (and they are all choices, BTW) are serving us. This is why I travel, and why I treasure these experiences, even when they scare me to death.

The great news is that no planes, trains, buses, automobiles or kayaks are required. A retreat is a state of mind, accessible to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Of course, vacating your current environment tends to kick things into gear more dramatically, but it’s not necessary.

Here are my top five ideas for getting the gift of retreat without being late for dinner.

1. Take a walk around the outside of your house. Yes, not even around the block, just around your home. Notice everything around the place you live, and maybe notice how much of it is unfamiliar to you. Did you know about the odd shape of that shrub, the little patch of weeds, or how the sunlight (or moonlight) changes the color of the bricks or siding? Take it all in.

2. Stand at your front door and look straight ahead. Chronicle everything that is in your direct site line. From the broken tree branch to your neighbor’s garbage. Do this every day and your days will no longer be a blur. Better yet, take a picture and notice the magical rhythms of nature.

3. Give yourself a night-in. Play music, run a bath, light some candles, write in your journal. Avoid the TV, phone, internet. Pretend you’re in the middle of a power outage. Notice how many sounds, sights and sensations you can name.

4. Find a free hour. (I know you’re thinking you don’t have a free hour. You do. It just happens to be tied up with Facebook, TV or cat videos.) Find a quiet spot, which means you will need to remove yourself, close the door, or otherwise set yourself up for some serenity. (A wonderful client goes to her garage and sits in her car. Funny… but it works.) bring with you something that makes you feel good – a photo, a piece of music, your journal, etc… – your choice. And for that one luxurious hour, do nothing but just be. Your thoughts might pull you toward the numerous work or personal obligations that await your return. Gently remind them you’ll be right back, but for now you are unavailable.

If it calls to you, close your eyes and tune into your exhale. See if you can make it smoother and longer. Drop your shoulders and soften the muscles of your face. Maybe even allow a secret smile to arise.

5. Get in the same room with your favorite person. Look at each other, and express the love you feel through your eyes and body. Ask each other important questions. The ones that get overlooked in the minutiae of fullness. Listen. Speak. Repeat.

It might seem impossible, but these droplets of time can completely change the trajectory of a day, week, month or life. No security checks or jet lag involved.

Ready? Go!!