Words, when taken out of context and thought about differently, can broaden how we are in the world.
re- a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition, or with the meaning “back” or “backward” to indicate withdrawal or backward motion: regenerate; refurbish; retype; retrace; revert.

The history of this great, although currently misguided country, has many ‘RE-TREATS:

The concept of ‘treating again’. Examples:

Singularity:  One person saturated with DOING, forgotten how to BE, freezes, numbs-out to quell the pain, whatever the cause… a broken relationship, a death of someone near and dear, or even a revered national hero, a failing grade on an exam, getting the wrong yahoo maps directions and driving around for half an hour and still not finding the meetup… and going home after making professional samples to show everyone, then discovering the wrong map was posted!  That’s RE-TREAT.

The South: in the early 1960’s, one century AFTER the Civil War, still holds near and dear it’s anitbellum mansions with frescoed walls showing scenes of ‘negras pickin’ cotton in the field’, singing cause they musta’ been happy, with the union jack flying high, waving in the the warm wind.  Prouder than peacocks in full feather, something in their brains refuses to catch up with the idea that equality has replaced slavery. The movie The Help brings back some of that ‘colorful’ history that every student in high school should be required to see or, better yet, read about)  Moving mentally backwards instead of shifting into a new idea… That’s RE-TREAT.

Germany: World War II, the Russians advancing against the tired, rag-tag German army along the two thousand mile border of frozen tundra, mid-winter, knew they had the enemy beat, anticipated the Germans high-tailing it back to where they came, but alas, they all froze before they could change direction and flee.  That’s RE-TREAT (well– the idea died with them)

Paradise: Then there is the friend who takes care of her elderly mother 24/7 in Florida.  Some call it Paradise, but not her.  She receives an invitation to visit a life long friend, so she flies to Denver, where she is met and swept off to the mountains of Colorado.  Her ‘baggage’ got unpacked in a sumptuous log home.  From her window, the clouds are eye level.  From the wrap-around terrace, she breathes in crystal clear, pure air and marvels at the white clouds right before her eyes.  She becomes filled with ripeness, feeling her ‘baggage’ melt into weightless bliss.  Now, this vast forest with nothing around is Paradise…That’s a RE-TREAT.

Cold Stone:  Creamery, that is.  Going again, buying the same sweet sensation that outta be outlawed for being a zillion calories, but your thighs are squealing with glee… now THAT’S a RE-TREAT. Bring IT ON!

Shout!:  Got a stain on your garment?  Well, SHOUT IT OUT.  Pretreat by ‘applying’ a solution to the spot before you put it in the washing machine.  If it doesn’t work the first time, you RE-TREAT it.

MERRIAM WEBSTER’S ACCOUNT OF RE-TREAT…
1re·treat   /rɪˈtri:t/ noun
plural re·treats
1 : movement by soldiers away from an enemy because the enemy is winning or has won a battle [noncount] ▪ The forces are now in (full) retreat. [count] ▪ The army passed through the town on/during its retreat (from the battlefield). ▪ He sounded/signaled the retreat. [=made the signal telling soldiers to begin a retreat]
2: [count, noncount] : movement away from a place or situation especially because it is dangerous, unpleasant, etc.
▪ Some of her friends were surprised by her retreat from public life following her defeat in the election. ▪ He made/beat a hasty retreat [=he left quickly] when he realized he had entered the wrong office.
3: [count] : the act of changing your opinion or position on something because it is unpopular — usually singular ▪ The mayor was forced to make a retreat from his earlier position.
4 : the act or process of moving away [count] — usually singular ▪ Scientists continue to measure the slow retreat of the glacier. ▪ the retreat of the floodwaters [noncount] ▪ Studies show the glaciers are in retreat. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Her political influence has been in retreat since the scandal.
5: a [count] : a place that is quiet and private
▪ She went to her mountain retreat for a quiet weekend. ▪ an idyllic/island/isolated retreat
b : a trip to a place where you can quietly pray, think, study, etc. [count] ▪ We went on a corporate/spiritual retreat. ▪ The church offers retreats several times a year. [noncount] ▪ She went on retreat for several weeks last year.

Where do you RE-TREAT in your daily life?  What doesn’t work for you?  Is a new approach is called for?  Backing up, changing direction, new methods, taking in more good stuff, isn’t a bad thing if better results show up and serve you.  Make a list of new ideas you ignore and sink back into your old way of thinking.  How does it hold you back?  What have you caved-in on, and not followed through, just given up?  How did that keep you from achieving your goals, stall you out?  Once you become clear about RE-TREATS in your life, a new ‘high-way’ will open up with new vistas.