rhythms
March 2, 2016 § 4 Comments
Normal is relative, especially as the seasons change. Dramatic changes in temperature and seasonal colds have created little ripples in our week. As one person heals, another becomes unwell; the patterns of care and caring changing to accommodate shifts in need.
We’re a little tired, overextended, impatient and self-centered. Discomfort does this, it draws us further inside ourselves while exaggerating our perceptions. Inconvenience becomes insurmountable against the scale of ease.
This week I’ve been softening into silence. Moving beyond my strength and relaxing my expectations.
I layer up and force myself, bracing against the wind, to walk our dog; letting the air brush away the germs that seem to follow me. I let the crisp air numb the skin now tender to the touch while burrowing my breath against my scarf.
Warm tea and hot coffee, a new book and an unplanned nap ease the work of extra laundry and interrupted sleep.
I’ve almost become accustomed to this new rhythm of slower paces, but I’m eager for sunshine and wellness. A quicker step and clearer head.
busy stillness
January 26, 2012 § 2 Comments
I am learning to set aside distractions and create stillness from restlessness with action; repetitive and mindless movements that free my mind while centering my body. Yesterday, as apprehension marked the minutes of my morning, I drew myself into activities that required solitude and movement to better gather my thoughts with clarity.
Unable to sit still and unfocused, I set my car keys aside and switched off the coffee maker. I wanted to run towards distractions and away from home to keep concerns at bay, instead I ran intentionally into distraction. I shed my tension on a treadmill, allowing my body to move with the same endless repetition as my thoughts circling familiar fears. Forward I pushed, gaining strength and sweating uncertainty. I wish I had found this path earlier in life, the physical, mental, and emotional calm that comes when I exercise my demons rather than hiding behind unproductive business.
When I could walk, run, move no more I eased into the quiet comforts of stretching my thoughts and muscles in unison. My heart and mind purged of apprehension and uncertainty, I was left only with feelings of strength and stillness. I looked around and determined I would keep busy with simple acts at home and try to maintain my sense of peace.
I made myself lunch, sitting to eat; completed minor housekeeping tasks to lighten my chores; straightened up corners of our home to make room for time together at the end of the day. When at last it was time for a mid-day meeting, I toted my patience and sense of calm to keep my company.
None of this is revolutionary. Running, meditating amid quiet movements, self-care and homemaking are simple over-looked gestures of affection, generally shaded with expectation and necessity. Prioritizing myself and my home in moments of anxiety was so wildly unassuming and indulgently satisfying that I am hoping to structure more time to set aside errands for stillness and small gestures of care.
scribblechic 