The Value of Calm
Posted on July 16, 2009 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Life Design
When you are in a fast-moving vehicle, it is impossible to see the details of the items you are passing by. Going at 60 miles per hour, you cannot see the individual leaves on the trees you pass. So it is in real life. In order to see the details of what is happening, you need to slow down.
Creating calm spots in your life can allow you to step back and see the details of your journey. They provide spots of time where you can reflect on where you’ve been, where you are going, and provide you with some separation from the hustle of daily life.
As I take a look at my life pace, I realize I need to include more calm spaces in my life. I need the time where I can just sit and figure out what to do next before I am in the middle of doing it. I need the calm to make conscious choices for what I am doing.
My cleared out weekends provide some time for this, but I still find it difficult to remember to take the time. It is so much easier to work from habit and keep going at a breakneck speed.
Here are the ways I grab some calm every day:
- Morning coffee. I take my first cup of coffee out onto our deck and drink it while listening to the birds. I’m usually still half asleep, but some things do manage to penetrate the morning fog.
- After work. After work I will pour myself a cold glass of tea and either sit on the deck (if it is cool enough) or in my reading chair. I try not to think about what I have yet to do, but rather just sit and notice what is going on around me.
- Walking the dog. For at least part of the 2.2 mile route I turn off the iPod and just notice what is around me.
- Sunday. Sometime during Sunday I will take some time to reflect on the week, considering both good and bad.
As I look at this very small list, I realize I need to find more opportunities of creating small points of calm during my day. It will take some creativity, but I believe it can be done. Any suggestions?
Photo by jurvetson
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Comments (2)
Sometime during work, I like to stop and take 10 deep breaths.
To relax and prepare myself for sleep I like to either journal to calm or listen to calming music.
l like the thought of taking 10 deep breaths before you need them. A kind of calmness inoculation. Great idea!