Ease Comes From Within

 

There's something about going to the beach at the end of a day when everyone else is leaving that feels spacious and peaceful to me. Watching tired families pack up after a full day of sand and water; the life guards wrapping up their duties; the seagulls look for scraps of food left behind; the shifts of color in the sky. Mike and I will spread out our towels and close our eyes taking in the sounds of waves, fading voices, seagulls, the banner towing planes making their last rounds along the coast. The close of things gives us time to rest and digest so that we can begin again. 

On this close of Labor Day weekend, as we feel life pick up its pace and we enter a new time, we can digest the summer and remember, too, that the beach is still there through fall, winter, and spring. The choice to set aside time to rest and digest and to relax is ours to make. Moments in a day and in week where we put down our labor (whatever that work or effort may be) and stop are essential to our well-being and the well-being of those around us.

My invitation today is to stop and ask yourself what kind of pauses you will give yourself through the coming season. What will that look like in your week? Close your eyes and see what would feel good and practical. Remember that many things we routinely do are nourishing, but only when we slow down and are present enough to take them in. We can be intentional about our moments of resting and digesting. We don't need to go on a full vacation to give ourselves a break. If we change the dynamic within ourselves to give ourselves small, even micro-moments, of letting go of effort, life feels very different overall. We have less physical tension. We are less contracted in our body and mind. We see more, enjoy more, and live more.

What are small or micro-moments of rest? It could be as simple as enjoying your morning coffee in quiet (not reading the news as you do it). Taking a slow walk at some point in the day (even 10 minutes is enough). Walking just to walk, not to get somewhere or to exercise. Savoring your shower. Playing with your dog. And, of course, meditating and following your breath. Watching it naturally get deeper as you let go of of effort and busyness. Even just two minutes of mindful breathing can be a reset. You likely have many more moments you can name. When we let ourselves be in these moments, we get to observe things like the landscape shifting and be awed by the colors and the beauty of change. There will only be one fall at this particular age, with these particular people, with these particular conditions. When we are present we don't miss our lives.

Though what is traditionally considered a season of more ease is closing, we can take refuge in the understanding that true ease comes from within and is always available. We only need to water those seeds and be intentional about our self-care.

🌻
Jean