Strength In Quietness

"We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude." ~Helen Hayes

QUIET PLEASE!!! There's just too much noise and goings on, 24/7, and that's no thanks to our new electronic world order we humans have so smartly created. What were we thinking? Ever wish you had another set of mind and body you could delegate at least half of what you're doing to keep up? Someone asked me, "How are you able to run a home, meet with friends, blog, paint, travel, etc, etc, and still do facebook, twit, and manage your webs and other business concerns? My answer is, I don't know. How does anybody live in this crazy world anyway? You have to be a magician! I think i do what i do because i love doing whatever it is i am doing. I live one day at a time, and make the best, if not, make sense of things. You have to love your life, your lifestyle, or not at all! Go figure! Or go to the nuthouse! Which is probably not necessary.

Seriously, I'm either a gifted multi-tasker, or i am too busy to realize that, there is the possibility that i may be missing out on some other essential aspects of my singular life. Gosh, i hope not. I love my family more than anything and i value my friends, it would be regrettable if i failed them. I don't like 'being busy', which is often what people who are so caught up with work parrot, annoyingly. If we are living a meaningful and purposeful existence, using up whatever God given talent we have, life is not about busyness. Life is about having balance, joy and a sense of contentment, or at least, a striving for it.

And just how do we find that balance, or equilibrium?

An inability to stay quiet is one of the most conspicuous failings of mankind. ~Walter Bagehot

We all agree, life on this planet has taken on another sphere, so absurd and even surrreal, no one can and will be able to keep up. Just try. Imagine 500 million facebookers, partying, non stop, right in your living room! You don't need any wardrobe change, put make up, nor brush your teeth to be part of it. You get no less than front seat with a VIP invitation plus, free parking, unlimited validation, attention, name it. You can do your thing, and be engaged as much as you want. WOW! What a life. That is, if you're a party animal, thrive on constant noise, and you don't care at all if you're burned out. Some people i know are ok being "out of synch". No, you don't have to get it.

But, if you're like me who wants soundness of mind, and having both feet down, despite shaky ground, and care about the legacy to give a precocious 6 year old granddaughter, you know when re-adjustments are called for. As great as last year was, filled with so much excitement, accomjplishments, happenings, new friendships, and surprises, i clearly see the word "halt", like a warning sign. That, in order for me to do the same run, or do an even better run, i must let go, rest, find refreshing in my soul, and be quiet for a season. I know i may miss out on some action out there, celebrations and gurly, bff's exchanges (hopefully, not completely), I hope to be back with a better rejuvenated me, stronger, and more focused.

What do i expect from this discipline? Experts tell us what we can achieve in being quiet, and meditative...

• Increased brain wave coherence.
• Greater creativity.
• Decreased anxiety.
• Decreased depression
• Decreased irritability and moodiness
• Increased clarity in thinking and reasoning ability
• Improved learning ability and memory.
• Increased self-actualization.
• Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
• Increased happiness.
• Increased emotional stability.
• A sense of "Completion"

In ending...

I think about the example of Christ, who went about, everywhere, constantly doing good, teaching, feeding, impacting lives and giving unconditional love, almost tirelessly. Yet, He too rested, moved away from the crowd, and spent time to be alone. To pray.

If His is the ultimate example of a well lived and balanced life, then for me, it is the only way i wish to live mine.