I am the luckiest person in the world right now. I have 3
months off of life to hang out in California and to figure out what’s next.Not many people get such a wonderful opportunity.
I have learnt a few things about life while I have been here
and I thought I’d share them.
1)
Being
still is hard! While lying on a beach day in day out sounds like the dream
(and it is in sooo many ways) I challenge you to do it. To be still and not move, not think, not
fuss, not make plans for the future. To just be still and see what happens. How
many of you will actually take me up on that challenge, or will you just keep
reading to distract yourself from it? Being still challenges us to consider
ourselves. To address the labels we put on ourselves and all the identity we
give ourselves as doers. When we are still and not doing our job, or being a
mum or planning the next project or venture, we are faced with just us. A
notion the vast majority of us would run from. In fact just reading it made you
nervous. When we are still, our critical voice kicks in – you are being lazy!
Get up do something! Contribute! Stop doing nothing! Staying still in these
moments and letting these accusations pass by leads you to a place of peace and
place of rest. It’s beautiful. But it’s not an easy place to find. From
this place of rest and peace you then
move. You move in a direction you want to go motivated by nothing else but your
internal motivation, your human spirit. Not external pressures, or fear or
status. Being still is not ‘lucky’ or ‘easy’ it is hard but the reward is
great.I feel I will return to the UK with a renewed sense of direction and satisfaction knowing I am coming back to embark on what I know I want to do.
2)
Life is
life everywhere, I hope you know
this by now, but ultimately wherever you are in life, you take yourself with
you. So you better fall in love with who
you are cause you’ve got them for a good 60+ years. You cannot escape or run
from you. You can busy yourself trying, you can drink, get addicted, get
involved in lots, attached yourself to every label and every object you like,
but save yourself the bother ‘cause it doesn’t work. Fall in love with
yourself! And I mean passionately and over the top in love! Love your idiosyncrasies, your faults, your
body, your history, your failings, your achievements, your house, your income,
your half finished projects and your mind. ALL of it, make your peace with yourself
cause you will not find it anywhere outside of yourself. Ever. I love hanging out with me. Most days. :)
3)
Space
makes you more appreciative. The USA is known for being affluent. And it is
in so many ways. ‘everything is bigger and better’ and there is SO much about
this place that I love! But with everything there is positive and negative. I miss
being able to cross the street with ease, traffic signals are so hard to
understand here, and J walking is illegal. I miss reaching into my purse and
seeing the colours in the variety of notes we have. All ‘bills’ look the same
here. I miss the seasons! (I know I’m
sorry but I do!) every day is sunny. Every. Single. Day! And I am a sun worshipper but even for
me a day of rain would bring the comfort of home right now. I miss being able
to speak without having to repeat myself. I miss the character of town centres
instead of man made shopping plazas. I miss free medical care! I miss the British humour! I love it here, I
really do, but it has reminded me of what is good ‘back home’ and that is
always good in a world when we become complacent with how blessed we are. So I am glad that being taken away from my 'home' has reminded me of what I am so incredibly blessed to have and am even more thankful.
I am SO thankful for this time out. I love the lessons we
learn about life when we slow down and take time out. When did you last do the same? But you're right... you're probably too busy to do that...
