Sofia was a successful woman at work, but also very stressed. She had to deal with deadlines, clients, bosses, and competitors. Her life was a constant race to meet the expectations of others and herself. Sometimes she felt she couldn't take it anymore, that she needed a break, an escape, a relief.

One day, she received an invitation to participate in a spiritual retreat in a rural house far from the city. It seemed like a good opportunity to disconnect and relax. In addition, the retreat promised to teach her techniques to eliminate stress and maintain balance in her life. Without thinking twice, she accepted the invitation and reserved her place.

She arrived at the rural house on a Friday afternoon, where she was greeted by a smiling woman who introduced herself as Laura, the retreat organizer.

In total, there were more than ten participants in the retreat. Laura welcomed them and explained the program for the weekend.

He started with his attractive smile and said that they were there to learn how to release stress and find inner balance.

To do this, they were to engage in various activities that would help them connect with their inner selves and with nature in the future. She also told her that they would practice meditation, yoga, and silence. Most importantly, they would learn to trust each other and share experiences.

Sofia felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of opening up to strangers but decided to give the retreat a chance. After all, she had come for a change in her life.

The first activity consisted of pairing up and telling each other something that caused stress. Sofia paired up with a man named Carlos, who told her he was a lawyer and suffered from anxiety due to overwork. Sofia told him that she was a marketing manager and was also overwhelmed by work pressure. They realized they had a lot in common and identified with each other.

Carlos asked Sofia what she did to relieve stress and she replied that she didn't do much. Sometimes she went to the gym or watched a movie, but that didn't do much good.

Carlos told him that he had no solution to that and that was why he had come to the retreat, to learn something new.

The activity ended and Laura asked them to gather in the living room. She told them that they were going to do a guided meditation to relax the mind and body. She asked them to sit on the floor, close their eyes and breathe deeply.

Then, in a soft, calm voice, she told them to imagine they were in a quiet, beautiful place. It could be a beach, a forest, a lake, or any other place they liked.

Let them feel the breeze on their skin, the sun on their face, the sound of the waves or the birds. To let their thoughts flow without holding on to them. They should just observe what was going through their mind without judging or analyzing it. They should be aware of that moment.

Sofia followed Laura's instructions and imagined herself on a paradisiacal beach. She felt relaxed and happy. She stopped thinking about her problems and concentrated on the sensations in her body. She noticed how her breathing slowed down and deepened. She entered a state of peace and harmony.

The meditation lasted about twenty minutes. When Laura told them to open their eyes, Sofia felt renewed and full of energy. She looked around and saw that the others also had an expression of serenity and satisfaction.

Laura asked them how they were feeling, and they all responded in the chorus that they were doing very well.

Laura went on to tell them that they had done a great job and that meditation is a very powerful tool for reducing stress and improving well-being. She recommended that they practice it daily, even if only for a few minutes. The result would be life-changing.

Sofia was impressed by the effect of meditation. She wondered if she would be able to incorporate it into her routine. She thought it was worth a try.

Laura told them it was time for dinner and then they would have free time to rest or chat with the others. Sofia got up and went to the dining room, where there was a table with vegetarian and organic food. She sat down next to Carlos and they began to talk.

They talked about their experience and how much they enjoyed it. They both agreed that they should practice it often.

The two continued to talk as they ate dinner. They told each other more about their lives, their tastes, and their dreams. They laughed and had fun. They felt comfortable and close. They liked each other.

After dinner, Laura suggested they have a bonfire in the garden. She told them it was a way to create a climate of trust and to share their feelings. She asked them to sit around the fire and each said something that made them happy or something they were grateful for.

Sofia sat next to Carlos and listened attentively to what the others were saying. Some talked about their families, some about their friends, some about their hobbies, and some about their accomplishments. All expressed gratitude for what they had and for what they had experienced.

When it was Sofia's turn, she said she wanted to say thank you for being there, in this retreat. The experience had given her an opportunity to get to know herself better, to learn new things, to relax, and to enjoy herself.

She also gave thanks for having met such wonderful people, especially Carlos, who made her feel very good.

Carlos smiled and took her hand. The others applauded and congratulated Sofia for her sincerity.

Laura told them that they had done a very nice and therapeutic exercise. She told them that expressing gratitude was a way to increase happiness and value what you have. She encouraged them to continue practicing it in their daily lives.

He then told them it was time to go to bed, as they would have another intense day the next day. They all retired to their rooms.

Sofia got up and said goodbye to the others. Carlos walked her to her door and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

The two looked at each other tenderly and gave each other another kiss, this time on the lips. Then they went into their respective rooms and went to bed.

Sofia, lying in bed, closed her eyes. She felt happy and fulfilled. She thought it had been the best day of her life. She fell asleep with a smile on her face; she felt relief.

With this little story that invites us to continue telling it, I want to express that the challenges that we constantly live in life always lead us to that destiny that is not pleasant at all; stress.

In order to bring it to its minimum expression, there is nothing like meditation, breathing exercises, and pausing to talk to ourselves without anguish.

But something that strengthens us, that helps us in life, is gratitude and to this, we must add love.

When love envelops us, it makes us powerful, it fills us with illusion, with a desire to live and capable of overcoming obstacles. But if we are with an attitude of gratitude, then the feeling of freedom will be present and we will be able to handle very well any weight for the trances of the day to day.

My strengths are in love, meditation, and gratitude. With these tools I managed to keep stress away and live in a balanced way; with relief.

I wish you love, lots of love. Thank you, thank you, thank you.