(And what do you see when you do?)
Two bees on a thistle.
I saw them today, when my head cleared, near the end of my run.
I sometimes work at music or the engine that runs the business of music until my brain is as diffuse as the swirl of grey pouring out of a smokestack.
Then I run.
I chose the place I live in part so I could step right outside my studio and onto the path.
Because running is as important a part of my brain’s working as thinking about how music works, or practicing my harp, or revising the lyrics of a song.
And when my head clears, the clarity rising up from the pounding of my feet, I see more clearly – both inside and out. The solution to a problem. A thistle. A realization about where I’m stuck . Two bees at their life’s work.
What about you? How do you clear your mind?
And what do you see when you do?
What do you see when you clear your mind? Share on X
I enjoy long walks along Good Harbor Bay, the sound of Lake Michigan crashing and receding like the inhaling and exhaling of the earth itself, the feel of sand lovingly exfoliating my feet, the view of the Manitou Islands far off in the distance glowing as the sun sets, tugging at my cares like a mystical magnet. When I can’t have that, I take long walks in the woods — my feet mindlessly following the undulating path of tree-covered sand dunes until suddenly I realize I’m here, I’m awake, and my next steps have as much meaning as all the ones that came before. I often make it back to my desk with a sense of direction, or at least a clearer sense of purpose.
Wow, Jason – just reading that I felt like I was there. How beautiful, and what a sense of letting go. Thank you!!!
What a wonderful question! I light the three tea lights on my healing table and meditate, or simply deeply breathe and pray to bring healing to the people and animals on that healing table. It is lovely little round table with the names of those wonderful creatures (two foot and four) who need some positive thoughts. After that, I lie down and just concentrate on my own breathing. When I do this well, my mind goes blank at a certain point and I fully relax. What do I see? Sometimes wonderful memories come to mind or perhaps a solution to a problem and sometimes nothing at all, which is ok too.
What a wonderful image, Lis. I will try incorporating some of this myself. Thank you’!