I slow down
and look closely.
These colours,
this sky,
that moon,
those smiles.
In this
I find peace,
I find calm,
I find home.
This month of July we are venturing back into the world, but taking it thoughtful and slow. We are going to be thinking like a snail on our outside adventures.
To be so overwhelmed and beaten to our beds as we were, we must have lost our sense of us along the way. Lost our, who we are, what we like and what we are about. Our surroundings and thoughts were no longer in sync. with us. We had been squeezing ourselves too much into those damn should’s and what do they need, what are they doing? This sent us on a downward spiral; far away from ourselves and our trust of our place in the world.
When we are stuck in our beds the world seems dangerous, noisy, uncaring and cold. It doesn’t have to be this way though. The world still loves us, has a place for us and is waiting for us to come back. That is what we are starting again to do – as we bravely open our door.
This venture does not need to be rushed – in fact it can’t be rushed. We aren’t going to fill our time or senses with what we had before – we are anew, clean slated, we are a build to come.
When you open that door and step out, breathe in deep, then look around. Look around for the first time to really see. What do you see? Not judge, but see. Are you looking at stuff that annoys you? Oh bugger that fence is so rotten, why did the postman leave that there, who dug that huge hole in the yard….Dylan!!!
This is not the voice we want – this is not connection it is reaction – try again. Strain if you have to, see one thing that is pretty, one thing that is cool, one shape that’s interesting, one colour that sings. You honestly only need to spy one thing to start, this one thing is the beginning of your brain re-train. This is your start to where you want to go.
Ok so you saw a shape! Really look at that shape – take a minute to study that shape. I know, I know this is daft Caroline – I know it feels it. But you are doing some cool stuff I promise…remember the brain re-train.
SO maybe one thing is enough for you – you are done. I can’t connect to the world with a spiral. Well a-c-t-u-a-l-l-y you can. See you are going to see that spiral on the bus, in the ceiling pattern of a coffee shop, in the fences at your local track. That spiral is going to be having little chats with you along your way and sending out a hi. You may even have seen a colour you liked or a colour combination that sent you a thrill – hey guess what – that colour combination exists on that trail you thought you might like to walk, on the painted doors of those houses you walk by, in that hat you saw in that shop.
While you were looking and seeing that spiral, in that weird fence at the track, you happened to see the sky. You hadn’t noticed the clouds like that before – wow the light is really dark, but glowing today – really glowing on that hill there – that hill there – how long has that been there? I like the way it semi- cuts into the landscape.
Hang on what happened to that rotten old fence, that hole in the yard, that person who gets on your nerves? Well maybe they suddenly aren’t the only things in your world. Your world – right on your doorstep has actually become quite interesting. Simple, yes…but thrilling too. To know that little bursts of joy can be so easily grasped is a wonder in itself. The changes we are making aren’t drastic, but at the same time you will notice a shift in your mood, your choices, in the way you frame your day. This is your secret – this isn’t a fad diet you have to tell people about, a self help book you need to explain – this is just a private, knowing smile and friendly greet between you and your world.
As you connect with the world again – you’ll honestly begin to see it as a friend. It is on your side – it has a place for you. Each step you take to see what it is that appeals to you will send more messages that will spread into your day and your sense of place. This is where you begin again, but on simpler, manageable terms that will fit your own shape, your own values and dreams. Connecting in this way is going to start the positive change you have been seeking and it will start with one simple thing.
So here’s to July being full of our little shimmering snail trails. I wonder where it will take you?