Slow DOWN
Every few weeks, I have a date with a friend to sit and write. We begin with a cup of something and a catch up and move into the things we’ve been pondering - topics that have caught our attention, or that we are curious about. After a while, we agree that we’re ready to write and we set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes, and begin writing.
Here is what I wrote this week. It was sparked somewhat by the conversation I had with my NOURISH members in our session on connection on Tuesday.
I like to write in pencil. I like the feel of it, and also the sound
Connection - when we are still, absorbed, busy in a relaxed way, being..
Who am I? How do I discover what I want to do or be?
Be Human - other things don’t spend time worrying about what they want to be or to do. They just ARE. A tree doesn’t try to be a flower, or an elephant. What happens when we also allow that?
Be More Betty
Betty was our dog. She loved her life and she spent it doing the things she wanted to do. If she smelled a smell, she sniffed it. If she felt the warmth of the sun, she lay in it. She loved nothing better than simply sitting and sniffing the air. In this way she was content (I believe). Aware of her needs, she drank when she was thirsty, ate when she was hungry.
Our darling Betty. Just being herself.
How have we grown so far away from these simple things? We’ve complicated our lives with demands to be met. Who is satisfied by this? What would be better if we allowed ourselves to return to a more simple way of being?
Showers so that we can wash every day - more if we like, vacuums to keep the floor dust free, microwaves for instant meals.
How about we just slow down? No need for daily posts, hourly check-ins. What if once a month was enough? Learning to trust that everything is OK without the constant reminders.
Connection with real people face to face takes time, effort, focus. It’s also what makes us human. The spark of insight, the shared knowledge; growth of understanding; feelings of ‘I’m not alone’- all build when we connect with our own inner wisdom and share it with those around us.
AI can’t do that.
And with connection comes compassion, empathy, laughter, joy, safety, culture, ritual, faith. The spark and effervescence of life itself.
PS. The evening after I wrote this, I went along to my lovely singing group - SongBirds with Hope Buzza. We sang this song, RUSHING - Written By Wendy Luella Perkins. It seems so very apt. I’ve added some images - I hope you enjoy listening and watching.
In September, Hope and I will be hosting a 3 night retreat together, for you to come and slow down, and sing. We have some rooms still available. More information and booking via the RETREATS page.
