By Neal Lemery
“Almost everything will work if you unplug it for a few minute…including you.” – Anne Lamott
I needed to follow that advice last week, as I realized I was drained and listless from navigating a nasty winter, and an overly-filled plate of politics, activities and obligations. My “well” wasn’t refreshed and I needed to rejuvenate and regroup.
As a good friend would often counsel, “take a breath”.
We had a birthday to celebrate, and realized we hadn’t watched a sunset at the beach for too long of a time. So, off we ran, taking a few books on nature, binoculars and our cameras. The beach at Lincoln City was calling our name. We liked the idea of being tourists and not having to deal with the ever-present chore list.
The weather cooperated, and offered sunshine and warmth. We settled into our motel room, complete with fireplace, and deck chairs overlooking the ocean. Nearby restaurants tempted us and we found ourselves lingering over cocktails (I’m exploring the “dry” versions) and dessert, and not discussing what needed to be done at home and with our various community commitments. All of that could wait, and the world would not end if we didn’t keep our shoulders to the grindstone.
“Take a breath.”
I found myself settling in to watch the sunset, playing with my camera and not feeling rushed, as the light changed, some birds flew, and some cooperative beach walkers helped me compose some memorable shots of an amazing sunset. I took the time to savor it, in all its glory, and reminding myself that this was my “work assignment” for the hour, and it was alright to just sit here and enjoy the moment, the hour.
There are some well-known, yet perhaps under-utilized benefits of getting away from it all and taking some time off.
• Reduced stress: Taking time off can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Improved productivity: Time off can help you feel more creative and productive when you return to work.
• Improved mood: Taking time off can help improve your mood and reduce burnout.
• Better work-life balance: Taking time off can help you achieve a better work-life balance.
• Improved immune system: Taking time off can help reduce stress hormones and allow your immune system to recover.
Even better, my wife and I had time to talk, to catch up, to reconnect.
I had time to reconnect with one of my favorite authors, Robin Kemmerer. Her books are rich in insight into the natural world and our relationship with biology. The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World; Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants; and Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. They are a delicious read, calling me to slow down, absorb a lot of science, and also savor a variety of wisdom and insight from someone who has a lifetime of patience, observing, and pondering.
“The prosperity of the community grows from the flow of relationship, not from the accumulation of goods.”
“I want to live in a society where the currency of exchange is gratitude and the infinitely renewable resources of kindness, which multiplies every time it is shared rather than depreciating with use.”
Such writing causes me to pay attention, to refocus, and to recharge my mental batteries, readying myself for meaningful work and wanting to accomplish purposeful, valuable work.
I don’t ponder enough, an activity which doesn’t seem to be highly treasured in our society. We are rushing around, being busy, “productive”, yet not “being”. Yet, most of our most productive thoughts come out of those times when we are “being”, and aware of our imagination, open to possibilities and connections. The good stuff come from the times we are at rest, when we are musing, and absorbed in a quiet moment.
I’m taking the time to put up some bird houses around the yard, and to keep the bird feeders filled up with sunflower seeds and suet, much to the joy of the scrub jays, finches and chickadees, and me. Taking care of those chores brings me peace and contentment, and yes, purpose and meaning.
Rather than getting sucked into reacting to the latest politics, I’ve been posting a few sunset photos and cutting down on my time on social media. I am finding much more pleasure in savoring and sharing my time with nature, and growing my photography experiences. I’m thinking that change in my life makes for a better society. And, certainly a happier day for me.
I find myself quickly tiring of the nastiness, the harsh criticism of these times. I’m embarrassed for folks who seem to thrive on seeing how rude they can be in what they share with their “friends” and people they choose to communicate with. Aren’t we all better than that? Don’t we have better things to do? I don’t think we want to remember this decade as the “Nasty Twenties”. It’s exhausting and ultimately, useless.
I’m left with thinking that the spam callers, the con artists, the trickster politicians, the manipulators these days want me to be exhausted, easily manipulated, and vulnerable to their underhanded tricks. When I am weak and tired, drained of clear thinking, maybe I’ll fall for their scams and evil ways.
Or not. Instead, I can take my time, find my quiet space, rest, and “take a breath”, getting away from it all, and truly make a difference.
