photo credit: straightedge217“
More important than the quest for certainty is the quest for clarity” — Francois Gautier
What kind of clarity do you have in your life? Can you clearly visualize where you are in your life, and where you want to be?
We live in a world surrounded by “noise”. Noise from television, work, radio, PDA’s, cell phones, Ipods, parenting, socializing, etc. The list goes on and on. And it can begin to consume all our waking hours. And sometimes are non-waking hours as well. With all these conveniences we have in our life, we can easily find ourselves going through life in cruise control. And suddenly, we ask ourselves, where has our life gone.
This is the very reason we need clarity in our lives. This is where I believe we need to step away from some of the noise in our lives, and take time to reflect. Reflect on what we want from life, reflect on our dreams (sometime long forgotten), reflect on our innermost desires, reflect on what makes our heart sing, … Taking the time to do this will lead us (sometime quickly, sometimes slowly) to the life we desire.
Doing this task is important, but not urgent. That’s why we leave it on the back burner. And all of a sudden, ten years/twenty years/or more have passed. It must become a regular habit. And to make it a regular habit, we must do this activity without all the “noise” we are surrounded by. This quiet time can come in many different forms. Meditation when you wake up in the morning. A walk around the neighborhood (without your MP3 player). A hike in the woods. A bike ride. Fishing at the lake. Wherever you can find the time to quiet your life and listen to what your soul has to say. Today for me, that was a bike ride. Later this week it may be a hike in the woods. For some, setting a routine can be good (meditation every other morning). For others, a more fluid schedule may work (a hike this week, no television after 9PM next week). The key is that you find something that works for you. Something that you enjoy doing. And then make it a habit.
What you will find is that over time, your life goals and desires will become more clear. You will begin to see clarity in your life, and this will help in leading you in the direction you desire your life to go.
Begin now, this week. Don’t wait — you may never start. Half the battle is just starting. So, “Just Do It”. And see what amazing things begin happening in your life!
Thanks for that reminder about why we need to “step away”. I agree with you about needing to make activities that help you do this a habit rather than just something to have a go at occasionally.
I am curious about the meditation you do every other morning could you provide more information about what you do? Just an idea — maybe you could even write a short post about what you do and the benefits you get from it.
I occasionally do some guided meditation using a CD or MP3 tracks I have downloaded from the internet, but I will now make a real effort to make this a habit rather than an occasional activity.
Leanne, actually I don’t do meditation on a regular basis yet. It is something I strive for, yet motivating myself in the early morning hours is sometimes difficult. I will write more about what I do actually do, though. Thanks for the idea. This really is an area I am just beginning to explore, so your thoughts and ideas are welcome and really help me on my own journey.
I see the benefit of the guided meditation as well, and will look into that for myself too.
Lance, I told you I’d drop by and here I am. Is this the first ever post? I enjoyed reading it.
I took the time once to actually spend four days in intentional silence at a Trappist monastery, and it is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It was also the scariest thing I’d ever done. Am not sure how to describe this fear, but do you know, when I drove through the gates I seriously thought about backing up and turning around? What was that all about? Well, I have my suspicions, but you’ll have to keep stopping back by my blog because I’m sure I’m going to tell this story at some point, and you won’t want me to spoil the ending.
Suffice it to say, I agree with you and think that silence is necessary in our lives (for some more than others). My two hours in the morning is my time and it’s quiet. I make my coffee and step out onto the balcony and breathe. Sometimes I sit and think. Sometimes I journal. Sometimes I just open up the windows and blog. But it’s definitely my time to listen.
Wow. Your blog’s come so far.
Chania Girl´s last blog post..The Beginning of Happiness
Chania Girl — Thanks so much for coming over to check out my very first post! I appreciate this very much. I remember you saying something before about this Trappist monestary. Four days, even though that doesn’t sound like a long time in the grand scheme of things — just being in silence with yourself, I can see this as being very daunting. I’ve tried to sit just even for a few minutes in silence, and that can be difficult! Yes, I enjoy the quiet of the morning too. Although, I don’t find that I often totally quiet my body and mind during these times. Still, it’s time I very much cherish. And I’m working the noises in my mind more…so that I can hear better my soul. So…you’re keeping me in suspense.…hmmm.…
Thanks again, I really appreciate the visit back here in the early days!
That is so true — one day we wake up and 20 years has passed! I’m really enjoying poking around your blog, Lance. There is so much good stuff here.
.-= JenX´s Last Fabulous Post ..missing michael jackson more than i missed him before =-.
Hi Jen! Yes, it sure does…it seems like just yesterday I was graduating from high school, and now — we had our 20 year class reunion last summer. I can really relate! Thanks so much for exploring a bit, it’s great to have you here!
That reminds me of an incident at work. My boss was talking to my colleague. My colleague replied with “OK”. My boss flared up, and asked, “what do you mean by OK? Yes or No?“
That was quite funny. Clarity certainly is needed in communication too.
.-= scheng1´s Last Fabulous Post ..How to spend less without being miserable by Richard Templar =-.