“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.”
C. JoyBell C.
Time change happened in the States this weekend. I have no idea while we persist in doing this. And, for me, it doesn’t matter whether the clock goes forward or backward, it produces restless sleep for several days. I am usually tired as I try to readjust for 3-4 days while my brain tries to make sense of why I am still up, or up earlier than usual. So, while I am still in these early days, it is debatable whether this particular change can be deemed a blessing or not, because we get to choose our own reactions and emotions for any event, public or private.
I belong to a couple of writing groups. I enjoy writing with them, although I sometimes have difficulty with the offered prompts. But, still, I write because I think writing, like most things, is about discipline coupled with inspiration. One of this week’s prompts is about the watch hours, specifically 12-4 pm. And, here is what surfaced for me:
Forenoon (8 am-12) is a blazing fire for me. I a very much a morning person.
The in-between time, 12-4 is that frigid blast against which the morning fires have been banked.
As the blood settles into the abdomen, the mind slows down- but does not stop.
The mind can reach back across the artificial threshold of time to find the morning threads to keep us moving forward. It can pull at the loose and fragmented ends which takes less energy to knit together than to create.
The mind slows, the extremities get cold, and become less responsive to our requests and demands. We often feel a chill, but we are smart enough to prepare. Shawls and hot tea revive us.
Taking advantage of slower thinking, we can sort more carefully through issues. Perhaps, we can do a little research, investigate, dig deeper, or get more facts as we organize our thoughts. The in-between time is a prime place for doing and finishing, rarely for starting. At least that is how it works for me.
The important lessons are that we learn to honor that time and that rhythm. Honor our natural rhythms. Honor our diversity, our nonhomogeneity, our differences. Respect other people where they are in their own time, space, level of activity.
As we learn to honor ourselves and respect others, a rhythm develops. And rhythm is a wave we can ride to renew ourselves and others.
Time is an artificial construct that we have built into an unnatural rhythm.
I think our best lives are being lived when we can find our own natural rhythm within that construct as much as we can, and be ourselves.
What change am I committing to?
A friend recommended an online writing salon. I will add a few of these sessions to my calendar to see if making this tiny change will get more ink on the page. They are only for one hour each time, and they are offered multiple times throughout the day. We live in hope.
What changes are you making in your life?
If you are stuck, here are a few journaling questions to get your motor started.
- How do I feel about the rhythm of my life?
- Do I take responsibility for the pace that I keep on a day-to-day basis?
- What steps can I take in my daily life to ensure that my pace is as comfortable for me as possible?
Please do not mistake this post to be about productivity alone. There is a natural rhythm to our lives that we can choose to embrace. There are things in our daily lives that we are capable of doing and changing to get through our days with a better sense of ease, comfort, and peace. We have but to look.
Chat soon.
[…] Last week, we talked about making small changes in our lives, and how they can have big impacts. Today, we will spend a little time on what happens when we make changes, or are unsuccesful at making those transitions smoothly. […]