Finding Stillness

Our worlds seem to always be busy. Always going or distracted by our devices, constantly stimulated by really uninspiring stuff. I know for myself, personally, it’s very anxiety inducing.

There are really only two positives to social media for me. One is that I can see what my people are up to, which is really just a lazy way to “have a relationship” with them. Two is that I can see all different styles of art to help expand my creativity, which is the easy way to not go to art museums, or even learn from artists locally. Connecting and disconnecting have been hugely on my mind this last week. I have been out of the country and unless I’m at our place, or connected to wifi, my phone has only been my camera or a source of music. Do you remember the world when we left our homes and no one could reach us until we got back? The time of snail mail? Hand written letters? I realized this Christmas that kids don’t even write notes to each other in school anymore. I wrote a note to my son’s girlfriend and folded it all fun like I did when I wrote notes to my friends in school, she had no idea how to refold it. As a creative person that blows my mind. Is our world going to be only creating thru AI? If we aren’t teaching our children to do things on their own, use their hands, problem solve, what is that going to do to their brains down the road? Science has shown that learning new things is good for keeping our brains working. I’m terrified of dementia, and know that numbing my mental space is not productive for preventing that.

The Covid Era

I mean, what a crazy time right? Obviously that time period had lasting impacts on our kids, and how the world now operates. It is sad that a virus separated our community connections to a point I’m unsure it can be repaired. We are so disconnected from our neighbors, our families, really just humanity in general. Kinda makes me wonder, what the disconnecting factor was that allowed WWII to happen… Okay back to the positive.

One bright thing that came from all of that for me, it helped me to slow down a little bit. Finding joy in the quiet, not feeling like I needed to be in a hurry everywhere, aside from my job because we were so understaffed, helped me find some peace. I’ve said it before, everything I’ve experienced has brought me to here. I love hiking and before covid, I was very focused on finishing the grueling hike. How fast could I get my mile time to? Could I get out and back before dark? I missed so many of the little things. Now? I see the little snails, the micro mushrooms, the pretty swirls in ferns as they grow. Sure the exercise was great, and it still is, just differently. Slowing down on my hikes has not only helped me feel more connected to nature, but also more grounded and calm.

Finding the quiet

Snorkeling this last month has shown me that the still allows me to see more. If I am swimming thru looking at the rocky spots, sure, I’ll cover distance, but stopping, breathing, and waiting allows the fish to see I’m not a predator. They start venturing from their hiding spaces and getting back to fishy business. The still is when I get to see the most wonders of the sea.

I’ve been at the beach almost every morning here. It’s a 20 minute walk, holding hands, chatting, hearing the birds. Then it’s usually another hour on the beach, watching the waves, dancing with my poi, watching my love surf, and sitting with my thoughts. Then another 20 minutes back home. A day at home may not realistically allow such a large window to start the day, but it has been good for my soul to connect with my human, and to connect with myself. Even on our walks, taking it slow, and seeing the different kinds of flowers, and sea shells, rocks, little crabs. I’d miss those things if I tried to hurry there.

Investing in yourself is also a great way of slowing down. Read, learn something new, meditate, dance alone, journal, be creative. I’ve been focused on enjoying my surroundings here in Costa Rica, but intend to continue that push when I get home. Focusing on journaling in the mornings has been good for me, and pulling an affirmation card has been a great spark of internal reflection but also starting my day out with a positive mindset.

Challenge?

I’d like to encourage you to slow down and find the quiet again, with no distractions. Find time by yourself. Find time with your kids. Find time to connect to the person next to you in line. Find time to reflect and see what truly brings you joy.

Where is your favorite quiet place? Or something that has brought stillness and peace into your life?