balance

I can hardly believe that it's been three weeks since my last post. I have been so busy with many wonderful new developments! You've probably noticed this in the flurry of emails I've been sending...

I finally got out for a walk in the sun and fresh air today, and slowed my thinking down enough to receive the message that has been circulating around me trying to get my attention for weeks.

EMPTY

As I walked, I recalled the mini-tai chi lesson I took over the summer at a workshop. One of the exercises was to imagine each leg as a vessel for energy. As you place your leg down in front of you to take a step, you pour the energy from the one you are standing on into the one you are moving onto. Then when the back leg is empty, you lift it up and place it in front, and pour into that one. It feels very noticable when you pay attention to it. but to pay attention, you have to slow down. in my case, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down.

Today I finally slowed down enough to notice alot of things. And I realized that the empty/full dynamic is true for more than legs. It's true for mind and body and spirit as well. I am so grateful that my daily life overflows with exactly the kind of juicy interactions that I thrive upon. And no matter how wonderful they are, I still need to take time for empty, too.

which for me means solitude with zero input other than maybe some sunshine, a nice breeze, and some beautiful scenery. no music, no books, no conversation, no writing, no thinking or problem solving. I love all those things, and as nourishing as they are for me, I also need to clear time every day to get out of my head and into the awareness of my body.

I need to balance focused mental activity with intentional mental stillness. And after sitting at the computer for hours, I need to balance physical inactivity with uninhibited motion. When I don't take the time to do this, I end up with 4 day headaches like the one that finally got me outside this morning.

so now that I've got that info written down so I can remind myself of it later - I'm off to spend some time alone!

see ya!
:)