"You have to 'be' before you can 'do,' and do before you can 'have!' "
~Zig Ziglar
Fall is my favorite season. Although at the risk of sounding fickle, I love the beginning of every season. Fall is that time of paradox. Have you noticed that the flowers of summer seem at their most beautiful just before dying back with the kiss of frost? As summer heat and light dies away, it seems that our human activity stirs to a higher level with the beginnings of the school year and new activities.
I just returned from a vacation at the beach with friends and family. It was just what I needed: time to be unplugged from daily routine as well as the electronic devices that are so much a part of life. No schedule. No place to be and nothing in particular that needed to be done. Lots of reading, afternoon naps, walking on the beach, time for socializing or solitude depending on the mood. Time for meditation and journal writing. A little sight-seeing with trips to the local grocery store and book store when the food or reading material ran out. It was lovely!
Since my return to real life, my schedule has been swollen as it usually is in the fall. We seem to awaken from the lethargy of late summer with an agenda of things that need to be done. Every year at this time people return to therapy or come for the first time. It seems that a lot of them are feeling the effects of the still ragged economy. Job lay-offs, fear of being laid off, as well as overwork for those who have escaped the lay-offs are common complaints.
In addition to working for a living, there are family responsibilities and a long list of activities as well as house work and the daily maintenance that holds body and soul together. So much busy-ness! And I am especially struck by the amount of mental busy-ness that creates such clang and clatter and stress.
Have you noticed the constant chatter that goes on in your own mind? A sort of constant commentary that runs throughout the day? Have you noticed that it is usually critical or negative or alarming? Do you see how stressful this is?
It is true that we live in challenging times. Take a peek at history and you will see that the times, whenever they occurred, were challenging. It is also true that as individuals we don't control much that goes on around us. So how can we find peace in the midst of all this turmoil?
Create an oasis. It's true that we can't always unplug and go to the beach. Or can we? It is possible to find peace even in the business of living our hectic and demanding lives. In fact I would say that it is essential for the well being of body and mind that we do so.
This is how: keep it simple or it will be just one more thing on your list that won't get done.
- Start by paying attention to your breath. The more tension we feel, the less we breathe. You may notice that at times you actually hold your breath. Take a deep breath, inhaling and slowly exhaling. Notice how that feels. Do it 4 more times.
- At some point in the day find a quiet and comfortable place to sit. Turn off the TV or radio and close the door. Sit in a comfortable chair with your spine straight. Relax, don't strain. Close your eyes and focus your attention on your breathing. When your mind goes off on a tangent, let it go, and bring your attention back to your breathing.
- If you are so inclined, later make a note in your journal about what this experience is like. Or perhaps a question or observation will occur to you. Pay attention.
This is a way to open up some time for you to just be. Not doing or planning more doing. Peaceful space for you to breathe and just be.