In the dark of early morning today, I poured a steaming cup of coffee and sat on the love seat on my second story deck to escape my too hot house and to enjoy the inky quiet.
It wasn't quiet for long, the dogs had just resettled around my feet when the shadow of a big bird
flew into the branches above my head. Soon the air was filled with its low "hoo hoo." I leaned my head back and stared at the stars, relaxing to the humming of "hoo hoo."
|
| Being alone with one's self |
Sitting there, I identified my favorite constellations and my thoughts skipped to an essay I am enjoying by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Anna Quindlen. She writes about
how important it is to be alone with yourself; that it is sometimes valuable to be in a state of boredom. She thinks that time-outs from our hectic schedules, including feeling bored, allow our
engines to recharge, allow true creativity to bubble forth into consciousness. She also believes that our children are overly programmed with little time off for play or being alone with
themselves.
|
|
Down time can allow creativity to bubble forth
|
The power of boredom.
Lately I have been playing a bit of scrabble on my phone (clearly a statement of technologic time-filling), but it speaks to my need for a
break. While at this, I am noticing that my inner creative person is poking up into my consciousness. That person is getting itchy, maybe wanting to write the next novel, wanting to research
Bipolar Disorder for one of the novel's characters. I notice that she has dragged out her watercolors and that paintings are showing up all over the house.
That inner Donna is also thinking about stepping up into a more intense exercise regime. It's interesting what can result from some Scrabble on your cell phone...
Perhaps Anna has something about us being alone with ourselves. I am still processing the regret she describes in her book, Loud and Clear, that while she was
raising her three children SHE DID NOT ALLOW HERSELF TO BE MORE IN THE MOMENT. She writes that she was too "other" focused. Now those children are long gone, removed from her into their
adulthood. She writes that she studies old photos with little recognition, wishing she had paid more attention.Living in the moment.
For many of us our lives are on turbo thrust. I'm
|
| Donna in the moment with grand daughters Ashley and Elizabeth |
blessed with a busy happy life, but sometimes busy is just busy. Maybe we should heed Anna's sage thoughts, perhaps we need more time to be alone with ourselves
and to strive to live more in the individual moment. It would be a shame to miss out on some of the best parts of our own lives. What do you think?
My best, donna
Write a comment
Gabriel Waid (Thursday, 02 February 2017 05:40)
Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!
Marchelle Steve (Thursday, 02 February 2017 09:21)
This is my first time go to see at here and i am truly impressed to read everthing at alone place.
Analisa Ogilvie (Saturday, 04 February 2017 09:50)
Remarkable issues here. I am very happy to peer your article. Thanks a lot and I'm having a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Gabriel Waid (Sunday, 05 February 2017 05:40)
I have read several just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you place to make one of these fantastic informative site.
Carissa Tollett (Sunday, 05 February 2017 06:17)
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Jani Whitsett (Sunday, 05 February 2017 15:54)
Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Kimberly Hirano (Thursday, 09 February 2017 16:21)
I like the valuable info you provide for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check once more here regularly. I'm quite sure I'll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the following!
remy hair extensions (Friday, 20 October 2017 21:02)
hhhhhhhhhhhhh