The Life of a Hermit

You ever wonder what it would be like to live like a hermit, or at least have the mind of one? Well, because of some physical limitations that have followed me most of my life, I had to learn how to be content and happy with that sort of lifestyle. Seemingly from the point of view of most people, that must be a sad situation, but let me put your mind to rest, it's not at all. Now part of that, I believe, is that I had to learn that very early as a child because there was a lot of chaos and dysfunction in my family, so I remember quite vividly many hours spent alone away from all of that. And it's interesting, as I recall, it wasn't a bad thing. I had things that I loved doing on my own as a child, and most if not all of them included being still and quiet.

One way was finding a quiet nurturing place and simply being still and taking in nature. One that stands out is lying under a huge pine tree stretched out across a bed of pine needles, simply looking at the clouds, or climbing a huge pecan tree across the street, away from everyone to watch the neighbors going about their activities outside. Or decorating a shed in the backyard, pretending it was my house.  But no matter how I found ways to set myself apart, it worked, and I wouldn't change those days for anything. So what did I learn during those few precious years? That I was in fact content to spend time alone in the quiet, which should have been very difficult with a family of 4 girls, and a very angry father, but by some miracle I was able to pull it off, and most grateful that however I managed to do that, it has carried over into my adult life.

Now, until I started getting worse physically, I was in fact still lying under trees on a blanket, reading, napping, drawing, writing....etc.....and could still capture that childlike nature that was still inherent in me. Of course being a bit more fragile, climbing the big tress went by the wayside, but as long as I could be close to them, I was fine. I did have an apartment once that was surrounded by very tall pine trees, which was heaven on earth, but unfortunately I moved away to a place I thought was going to make me much better. I dream of those pine trees quite often and wish I could recreate that environment, but so far have had to find others ways to get that feeling. Hence, living like a hermit.

So my point, and trust me, I do try to have one eventually, is that I believe that even though I am lacking the trees, I am still able to create and live the life that is good and nurturing. Quiet is probably the most important element to living the life of a hermit. To get away from all the noise that covers up those incredibly precious crickets that you hear at 4 in the morning. The only thing I hear at this moment is the distant hum of a jet, that comes and goes, but I allow the crickets to overpower that sound. A hermit wants to have their mind clear and open to contemplate life and the real and true things that it has to offer all of us. Being alone and quiet allows and is open for creativity to appear when you least expect it. It allows us to pay attention to the breath, and how precious it is when you haven't been able to breathe properly for a long time because of pain. It allows you to remember and think about what is really good for you individually in this life with your own pursuits, dreams, hopes and doing what you feel like God meant for you to do while you're here. And whether you believe it or not, we were all put here for a very specific purpose, whether you live like a hermit, or live in the middle of time square.

So for today, and in this moment of quiet, with the crickets and tapping of my keys, I will be thankful that I, even with all the limitations and pain, or even with the unfortunate or trying things that happen right outside my door each day, I can also be thankful for those moments of peace that most often bring clarity that even as a hermit, I am in fact doing what God needs me to do each day. Embrace my inner child and what she needs each day, love myself and others, and simply be available to connect in whatever way I was meant to connect. So if you are in desperate need of peace and quiet, and wonder what life would be like living like a hermit, just remember, you have the extraordinary gift each day to not be constantly in search of peace and quiet, but can actually find it and experience it each day.

I encourage you to find a tree this weekend, throw out a blanket, and look at the clouds roll by.........you alone, or to share with your children or grandchildren. What an amazing way to teach them how easy it is to find peace and quiet, and the simple precious things in life.

The Rhythm of Life

I suppose I could have titled this BUSY......but I've become very sensitive to that word because it's all I ever hear. No matter the time, day, or who I'm speaking with, it's always a part of the conversation. Maybe the world I live in is so far at the end of the spectrum, that I can't appreciate the other end? Well maybe. But I don't think so. Maybe if another word could be used to express how one spends their time, I could tolerate it a little better, but I don't think so.

Maybe if I heard words like quiet, peace or simplicity just once in a while, the word busy wouldn't bother me so much. But the fact is, I don't hear them at all.....ever. Now I realize that growing up in the 60's, it was much easier to express those words, and where I'm from the city made a point to incorporate them into the lifestyle at that time. Each Wednesday at noon, all the stores closed, and people went home to relax, go fishing, or just sat out on their front porch and drank iced tea. On sundays the stores were closed and you did no work at home. And as well, there weren't so many ways to entertain or distract back then, that there was plenty of time to just sit back and watch the cars go by, or take a nap in the backyard on the weekends. But is there any reason why we can't do that now?

I suppose one reason is because there is, in every era, a rhythm that everyone keeps up with, feeling as if they didn't, they would somehow miss a beat. That whatever the neighbors are doing, next door or down the street, we are supposed to keep up with them or they might talk about us in a not so pleasant way. But no matter the reason, I'm wondering how or why we can't slow down the rhythm a bit, because honestly I believe that if we truly wanted to, we could in fact find time to be quiet, as well as experience more peace and simplicity. It's a choice...period.

If you wanted to, you could in fact decide right this moment, that you are going to spend the whole weekend at home, in your pajamas. Tell your friends and family you're going to make it a priority to spend more down time, whether that means alone, or with your family. You've stocked the frig, marked the calendar, and are in search of quiet, peace and simplicity. If you're single, married....no matter, the plans are made and you're sticking to them. Now to me, this is no different than marking the calendar for a weekend trip away. You're just choosing not to be in the car, on the road, at movie or restaurant, and will not be answering the phone either.

Wow.....what an amazing thing to do for your children, to show them how important it is to just stop and slow down. To be able to say no to the busyness of life, without the burden of expectations from others or from yourself. Taking the time to do this will not cause you to lose your job, your friends, family or make you seem off balance. If anything, it will make a statement that we all have the choice to slow down if we want to, and invest all that busy time everyone seems to be burdened with on ourselves and those around us that mean the most. If you don't share the ability to do this with your children, then they will assume that busyness is the only choice there is in life. They won't know the meaning of simplicity or peace at all or how to find it for themselves when they are overwhelmed with life and it's demands.

What a wonderful thing to do for yourself.....and a powerful message for those around you. So go and pick out your weekend pajamas, books to read, movies to watch, favorite foods, and a heads up for those around you that you are not going to answer the phone or text. Try it just for grins.......and start setting your own rhythm in life!