I’ve been on a group holiday. Fine if you like being social, but I like a lot of time to myself, and with a room mate who loved to talk it was tiring.
We are different, and we need to respect differences.
We can be quiet in the way we communicate. We can also be quiet in our lifestyle.
“Sometimes you need to sit lonely on the floor in a quiet room in order to hear your own voice and not let it drown in the noise of others.” Charlotte Eriksson
I’m moving more to being quiet, to only speak when there is something to say, not to chip in with a ‘me too’ comment or to say things that aren’t relevant.
I’m having more intention to my actions. If I’m focused on writing an article, I shut out all other noises. I’m getting much better at doing this and not having my senses a flutter on things that are going on around me.
Quiet time can give us time for reflection to think about who we really are, and who we want to be. That’s the beauty of my Vision Quest and spending 4 days and 4 nights on a solo fast, with no distractions it gives you time to think.
Just like our computers when they freeze. Taking some quiet time will allow us to reset ourselves.
I strongly feel we don’t spend enough time on self-care, on making sure that we are in optimum mental health. To that end, while in Nepal I’m going to spend a weekend with a wonderful Buddhist nun called Venerable Robina. It was watching this video, after learning she was leading a weekend while I’m here that made me decide to sign up.
This short video, less than 20 minutes is well worth watching
Before coming to Nepal, a wise friend got me thinking that I was doing too much. We all have set points that we return to (why diets rarely work long term) but the comment was enough for me to drop some plans and make sure I was rested and in a calm state for this time away.
And the message has stayed, being calmer, more thoughtful, taking time away from the group for quiet times. Sitting looking at the lake, or time spent in meditation at the monastery was far better for me than hiking to the top of a hill or going to a group lunch. I’m prioritising me, and it does no harm. I want to live more intentionally, and to make quiet time a priority. Each day is just as important as the next in creating the life I want.
“In solitude, we see more clearly. Alone, in moments of prayer or meditation, or simply in stillness, we breathe more deeply, see more fully, hear more keenly. We notice more, and in the process, we return to what is sacred.” Katrina Kenison in her essay, Why You Must Have Time Alone.
