Mar 23 2009
Standing in the Eye of the Storm
I’d like to invite you to try something with me. It won’t take long. I know how many demands and “have-to’s” there are out there. I know how many things need to be done right now, so I only ask for five minutes of your time.
Let’s turn off all the noise. Silence the voice of the boss, the watercolor co-worker and the shouts of deadlines. Lower the volume on the girlfriend, boyfriend, partner or spouse. Don’t worry you will be back to listen to the tales of their day shortly. Put the baby cooing or the children’s laughter or tantrums on mute for a moment. You will be back to delight in them or discipline them momentarily. Dial down the voices of parents and/or grandparents. Quiet the voices of siblings and friends. As you bring about this silence, be sure to quiet more than just sound. Turn the volume down on any and all knowing looks and/or glances, from ones who know you well, that communicate more than spoken words. Let yourself come into a comfortable quiet space.
There you are, right there.
You are the leading lady or man of your life. Do you know that? Do you feel that?
What does silence mean to you?
How does it feel when you are just you…settled in your warm skin, breathing in and out?
What do YOU think about when it’s just you? When you erase all the things that others need/want from you? When you erase all the roles you play, take off all your hats and allow yourself to be in this moment, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
As I allowed myself the gift of a few moments of time and quiet, I closed my eyes and thought, “White sandy beach, blue/green ocean, warm sun, a pen, a journal, a smile, a warm, bear hug and wee hug.” These are the things that make me happy. These are all the things that bring me peace amid the chaos of daily life. As I stand in the center of the storm of life, I have clarity.
Sometimes I forget that I am the leading lady of my life. I act like a supporting actress or worse, an extra with throw away lines. I let all the other voices narrate my story. It’s easy to get lost with so much going on which is why it’s so important to come back to center stage, take a moment and remember who you are and what is the focus of your world. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You simply have to be you. Remember that.
I ask you, when you pause in the middle of your life and silence all the noise, who are you? What things become crystal clear to you? What becomes most important?
I want a clare bear hug ! : )
BIGJOHN – those are the BEST hugs…Clairebear are you up for handing some of those out??
Thank you for sharing this – I really needed to be reminded to take a moment and let myself breathe!
Absolutely! I was just hugging myself in yoga, but I still have some more for you guys!
hmm…haven’t stood there in awhile – will do so immediately! although on the wedding day i sat at the table with joe and looked around at everybody which was cool
love,
b
Stillness is in short supply Natasha – thank you for the reminder. Classic monkey/butterfly mind chatter, that’s what I’m finding lately. Remember clarity … vaguely … sure I left it around here somewhere
x
It becomes clear that Iwould be increidbly lonely if I didn’t have all the “noise” in my life that is my children, husband, family and friends. I love the beach but its twice as nice with someone you love! I provide a supporting role but I am also the lead role in this house, I make the rules, I pay the bills , keep up the house, or let it fall if I can’t, and manage all the little crappy things that happen! BUT everyday I get the smiles and hugs and loves from my kids and the thank you’s and support from my husband who works his ass off outside the home. I appreciate the moments of silence esp when the kids are at school, but I would be miserable if they didn’t come home at some point during the day for my dose of hugs!!! Love ya, Donna
This is a great exercise.
Unfortunately, all I get when I focus on me right now is a pounding headache and a phlegmy chest and achey shoulders.
How do I silence that? My head is all full of yuck.
Do I just have to wait until the cold has run its course?
Marja! So good to see you here sweet friend! Yes, you’ve been doing a ton as of late but time to breathe is always good. I will be dropping you a line very soon…hug hugs
Claire – ah yoga…and yoga hugs…I need some of that in my world!! YAY to Clairebear hugs!!!
Bridget that is the BEST time to stand there and take it in…the best because that moment, that gorgeous moment will be with you forever! I did that at your wedding and have a memory of the two of you that will last MY lifetime hahaha Love you!
Kate – I miss you! I love the “monkey/butterfly chatter” I may use that….I know you are stretched thin….I think I found your clarity right here…mine can only happen in small moments hahahahaah xoxoxox
Donna – how are you? So good to see you here…yes I think we’d all be lobely without the “noise”. For me the moments give me time to recollect my thoughts, breathe and put things in order so that I don’t get jammed up or too preoccupied with my own thoughts to remember to appreciate the beauty in the bear hugs from my hubby, the wee hugs from my Doodle and all the fun love from those in my life….there’s nothing like those hugs….except maybe hugs on the beach…hhehehehe love ya
Rowena – so awesome to see you here…I’m SO sorry you are sick!! That’s not fair. I send you BIG, healing hugs, lots of soup and bad TV and pampering…especially pampering!! Yes, it is best to wait till the cold has run its course so that you can then let your mind relax and sink into that moment without being interupted by coughing or a runny nose. Be well my friend…if you need anything just holler!! xoxxo
How well I remember those nights – of cherishing the quiet after the kids were tucked in a finally asleep.
Kris
I also cherish the talks, the laughs, and even the battles.
Now that they are grown and my daughter and family live on the other side of the US, and my son is busy, busy, busy and 35 miles away – there is almost toooo much quiet!
Good thing I am comfortable with myself! – and have lots of kids around the apt complex when I need a kid fix!
But, it is a good thing to step back once in a while to remember who you are, or to find yourself at all when trying to keep the chaos of a family in order!
I so enjoyed listening to your daughters laughter – and yours too!
Kris – it is SO nice to have you here. How are you? What a thoughtful, beautiful post about both life with the kids and how life has changed. I also love the way you have kids around your apt complex in case you need that fix of kid laughter and wonderfulness
I’m so happy that my daughter and I = the sound of our laughter made you happy….your wonderful post here did the same for me 
Big hugs to you!
Natasha! What a beautiful post, I’m so glad you linked it over. We all need a reminder like that once and a while! I know I did today! For over a week my wisdom tooth has been acting up, I finally got ot a dentist and got some antibiotics and painkillers, so feeling a little better I jumped full swing back into life.. and all the crazy hectic that comes with it sometimes! So I allowed myself to sit back and clear my mind, and just before I dozed off for 20 mins (much needed nap thank you!) I thought about laughter, the waves on the lake, and a warm sunset all with my honey. I learned that laughter, peace, and the one I love are at my center and all I need.
Thank you!
Beautiful post Natasha! I’m beginning to wonder if we are kindred spirits? ((hugs))
Christina – YAY!! First I love that you are here…that makes me happy and second I love that you did the exercise and shared what you found. WooooHooo…I’m so glad you went to the dentist (I hate going to the dentist so big kudos hehehe) and got stuff for your wisdom teeth…those are no joke. AND the little 20 min cat naps are SO important…I’m a nap girl so I get that….you have a beautiful center…laighter, peace and the one you love…is there anything better? Big hugs to you!
Rose – this is one of those surprises that makes me smile from ear to ear…I think there is a good chance we are!! I’m over the moon that you came to play again…I will be stopping by to see you….BIG hugs to you my friend
Hello again Natasha,
Thank you once more then – cross that – twice more! For the hug and for the wise reminder! I also wanted to let you know I have picked both your blogs for an “honest scrap award”. You can find the details on my blog: http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/2009/03/honest-scrap-awards.html
You are just one amazing lady! I’m so glad we crossed paths…
When I take a moment’s silence, I just see myself dancing and singing ala Julia Roberts in the Sound of Music – which means all my wishes have come true.
When my family goes to bed, I stay up late and write or make art. The late night silence may be my favorite sound.
Agathe – thank YOU so much for this award…I am truly, truly honored and will be participating in it on this blog very soon…thank you again. It means the world to me
Jenjen -I, too, am so incredibly happy that we crossed paths!! I LOVE the Sound of Music…it was just on TV too..and I think you meant Julie Andrews and man, can she sing or what??
Marta – that silence is such a beautiful thing after a crazy, busy, noisy day…I totally agree!
Do stop by my site, I have something for you-
http://gottalovemom.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogger-awards-thank-you-and.html
I think you’re awesome!
cool pics
cool pics