CHILLIWACK LAKE

RETREAT | CHILLIWACK LAKE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM1I-bb2XRk&t=1s

Amid the constant rush of the world, where bright city colors and the harsh lines of buildings overwhelmed me, I yearned for something softer, something peaceful. So, I set my sights on a place far from the noise—a small chapel on Chilliwack Lake, hidden between mountains and water.

One day, with brushes in hand, I journeyed toward this sanctuary. The mist still clung to the lake when I arrived, and as the first light of day painted the sky in soft pastels, a deep sense of peace stirred within me.

The chapel stood quietly by the water, its ochre-washed walls almost disappearing in the gentle light. There was no noise—just the soft lapping of the water and the rustling of leaves. I set up my easel by the lake, taking in the scene: the chapel, the trees, and the tranquil water, all bathed in the calm of day. The colors were soft and inviting, from the cool blues of the lake to the warm blush of the chapel’s walls.

I painted with my heart, each brushstroke capturing the fleeting beauty of the moment. The world outside seemed distant, and here, I felt free. No rush, no chaos—just quiet peace. My soul, guided by nature’s colors, found its place in the stillness of the landscape.

When I finished, I stepped back from the canvas, content. The peace of the lake and the chapel had settled into me, and I knew I had found the escape I needed. As the day ended and the sky turned pink and gold, I felt a deep gratitude for this quiet haven.

In that chapel on Chilliwack Lake, I hadn’t just painted peace—I had found it. And as I returned to the busy world, I carried that calm with me, a reminder that peace is still out there, if we only know where to look.