Recently, the lovely Miss Tristan B. and Miss Michelle P. started a creative series entitled "Inspiration Rx" to provide enticements to those needing an extra spark or a means to break free from a creative rut. With the simple prompt of one thoughtfully chosen word, they invite us to give ourselves pause and lift. This week's prompt, "tranquility" was less read or contemplated by me than it was felt. Deeply.
On a personal level, these are some tumultuous times for me. But even during "normal" times I think the vast majority of us function in a quieted state of frenzy these days.We eat while we're watching television while we're texting a friend while we're glancing at Pinterest. (Commas?! Who has time for commas?!!) The cultural state du jour is "busy". "We'd love to come but we're busy that night." "I meant to call you sooner but I've been so busy." "Thank you for calling. Your call is very important to us. All of our operators are busy taking care of other customers..." And so on, and so on. It's at least partially self-inflicted, largely glorified, and decidedly, sadly, true a great deal of the time. And, if you worry like I can, you might even feel a twinge of guilt to indulge in a quiet moment lest something more important occupy that mental vacancy. Multitasking has run amok.
Just to see the word "tranquility" made my eyelids a little heavy, my breath softer, and my heart slow its pace. And in times when I'm willing to seek out tranquility I almost always seek it out by the water or in the woods. Just to hear the soft lapping of the water or to sit quietly among moss-laden trees? Heaven! I may even fall asleep before I finish this post the thought itself is so soothing. I'm guessing I don't do it often enough. Same for you?
Where do you seek tranquility? Do you even make the effort to find it? Is it a daily practice? Weekly? Do you incorporate it into your life simply as a means to feel lighter, more expansive, or do you only try to eek it out during times of trouble or distress? I'd love to know your thoughts.
At the very least, I hope you found even a little of it here.
ALL IMAGES BY UNCLE BEEFY.
You're so right. The past several weekends my family has just hung out at home with little to do and no plans. It's been great. Everyone is left to their own devices, reading, tv, toys, games. The best thing about it is that everyone is calm, mostly the kids but it's the icing on the cake. Watching them make up their own games and act them out without really looking too hard is food for my soul. Literally. We needed that.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful to hear, Sarah! While I don't think we enter that state often enough, by and large, I do think the pace we keep is making up recognize the importance of becoming frenzy-free. XX :)
DeleteI can't get over these images, they take my breath away. You are one talented young man;)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Miss Tristan! XO
DeleteI love the phrase you used on your post: "eek out", because half of the time I'm either texting "eek" to my husband or I have a status update that contains "eek"...;) I am loving this exercise of creativity by Tristan! I look forward to it, every week! Thank you for joining the pinterest board and sharing your lovely work!
ReplyDeleteHa! It's a great word for just 3 wee letters, isn't it? Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your lovely comment! :)
DeleteI love their inspirational RX, and yes...this post does provide tranquility. Beautiful images!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea, right, Susan? And thanks! Although, as a mother of twins do you really need to look for tranquility? I'd think you'd always be tranquil. ;) xo
Deletelove these pics. and these words. i am so with you. just the other night i came home after dark and stopped to look up at the stars and thought, oh good, they are still there, some day soon i am going to take the time to actually star gaze. very best wishes to you
ReplyDeleteGreat great post Mon Oncle. I need to seek tranquility too and I don't find it very easy. When I keep to my prayer it works and I do not know why I get away from it sometimes. I also get very tranquil with wine and cheese!!!
ReplyDeleteML