We’ve out done ourselves, you and me. We’ve stayed busy, engaged, and entertained. Everything seems to be peachy keen, until of course we experience a gap. What happens in those moments between this and that? When it gets quiet, when space arrives do we feel uncomfortable? Something must be wrong. Surely there’s more than just this? It can’t be so simple. I should panic. Or shut down. I need to fill this emptiness asap.
What is it about space that scares us?
In an effort to better understand this question, I made a list of ways I tend to fill up all that space:
• Eat when I’m not hungry
• Check email compulsively
• Surf the net aimlessly
• Rehash an old memory
• Sleep longer than needed
• Shop
Over the years, I’ve become better at noticing when I’m distracting myself from myself, but I still do it. It’s a natural part of human nature; that drive for ‘more’ has facilitated our evolution as a species, but sometimes, especially in this techno-saturated culture, we really need to clear a space for ourselves and unplug.
When we bravely claim those quiet moments in our life, we allow for perspective and reflection. If I’m always so involved in creating my life, how can I then see what life is creating? When I create a space to de-compress – a week retreat, a weekend in the woods, an hour of body time, a 10-minute meditation – whatever it is, I can return to life with more focus and a deeper sense of clarity. It’s okay to unplug. In fact, I’d say it’s vital for a balanced life. Carving out time to unplug makes the world a better place. We become grounded, more in tune. We have more energy, more patience, and more love.
So, the next time you find yourself filling space with insignificant tasks –notice it. Ask yourself, “Is this serving my life?” When we become aware of these patterns, we are empowered to change in a total and complete way.
