A normal person
wouldn’t need lessons in relaxation. A normal person wouldn’t have to practice
the art of sitting still. A normal person wouldn’t have to hear reminders from
loved ones to “take it easy” or to “just sit and do nothing.”
I am famous for my
reputation of being unable to sit and do absolutely nothing. I’ll find a rerun
on television, listen to music, or grab a book as I head to the couch. I’ll
find myself itching to run a dust cloth over the furniture if the TV show doesn’t
capture my attention enough. I may set down the book to get a drink in the
kitchen and find myself wiping down the counters one-more-time. And music?
Well, sometimes I just have to get up and dance!
So this morning I
practiced sitting still. Intentionally, I headed out back without pen and
journal in hand. And although I have just finished reading one novel, but I
didn’t snatch the next volume from my summer reading pile. I didn’t turn on the
television for background, and I didn’t switch on the stereo.
I sat outside in one
of the lounge chairs and listened to the rise and fall of child voices coming over
the back fence. Their high pitched squeals mixed with the coos of doves. The
breeze felt cool and the morning sun gentle.
I lasted about
fifteen minutes.
Then the dogs wanted
outside, and my foot itched, and my neck needed popping.
Needless to say, I
will have to practice this new skill daily.
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| Where I plan on conducting my morning "class" each day! |
