Shutting Out the World
©Allen Merritt (2016)
I
am always looking around at the world when I am driving. Whether it’s a long
commute or road trip or just a quick trip to take care of an errand, I find
myself observing the world. And, I have to say, it’s always interesting. I am
constantly spying oddities, craziness, as well as fun things. I guess if it
takes all types, then you see it all when you are out running around.
While
listening to the radio in the car a conversation started about how one disc
jockey was trying to take more time to shut out the world by turning off the
lights, sitting on the edge of his bed and eliminating any noise. His discussion was centered on how he was attempting to find time to meditate and chill out a bit. It was interesting because he seemed open to
the experience and also open to idea that if it works, great; and if it
doesn’t, move on.
It
got me to thinking about the idea of shutting out the world as a necessary step
in creating more positive opportunity in life. Sometimes it is necessary to
take time for yourself without giving a thought to anybody else or anything. Forget
the list of activities. Forget the “honey-do” list. Forget about office
politics. Forget about everything in the news and take time to make time to
just sit for a while. Allow yourself to “Be.”
This
thought process reminded of a musical titled Stop the World I want to Get Off!
Just the title alone speaks to this idea, 'I want to get back to myself and
feel good again.'
It’s
hard to sit still anymore. So much to take care of and so much to do. Funny, I
don’t really see that is anything new. As a child I was a wiggle worm. My
mother used to ask me if I had ants in my pants. I was always a bit ansy, I
guess.
In
any case, we stand a better chance of relaxing and getting back to a place of
feeling stable, calm, content and happy when we stop long enough to check in
with ourselves. Be still and know, as they say.
What
is fun about taking a time out is learning about yourself and discovering
things you haven’t been paying attention to. Meditating opens up your inner
world to observing things you haven’t been observing. It’s as it you turn up
the volume on some listening mechanism locked deep inside yourself and suddenly
your hearing things, thinking things, coming up with simple solutions and
answers that have been trapped away for way too long.
With
this in mind, I challenge you to take a little time out to meditate,
contemplate, relax, chillax or whatever you choose to call it to increase
possibility, potentiality and positivity over the next week. It benefits not
only you, but those who gravitate around and to you. Think of it like a smile.
It’s contagious and gets passed on. I don’t know too many who wouldn’t
appreciate a feel good smile.
There
are many ways to mediate and many resources and material can be found out there
to help one learn more about doing so. Get back to yourself every once in a
while. Don’t feel like you always have to be pleasing everyone else or living
up to their expectations and standards. Here are a couple of links that may be
of service to you should you find yourself in need of some “Me” time and growth
time. Take a peek and generate some peacefulness for yourself and the world by
stopping the planet, sitting still and shutting out the world if only for a
minute.
Think
about it and go out there and have a positive, happy-go-lucky week!
Meditation information:
Guided meditation videos:
Cheers!
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