The Quiet Side
Exploring the unseen benefits of creative focus.
Relax : to make less tense or rigid
Relaxing is so hard for me to do. All my ducks have to be in a row before I can truly relax. Sure, I can procrastinate and not get anything accomplished, but it is not the same as being in a state where your mind is free and your body at rest.
What if I could kick back and enjoy this patch of sunshine. What if I could really enjoy this cup of tea and not rush through it on to the next thing. What if I could be the people who appear to be able to just relax and enjoy without a care in the world. That would be something, but that is not me.
What I do find though, is that to RELAX takes practice. It takes care and diligence and repeating the behavior, just like exercising, just like eating well, just like doing the laundry – you have to do it and do it often to make it work.
So it is a constant place in my life that I am working on. I will pour a cup of tea, take some deep breaths and enjoy the steam and the flavor. I will try a new tangle, and practice that stroke and not grip my pen so tight to hurt my hand and make my lines shake. I will relax and let the laundry build up and enjoy some days in the sunshine with my family and know that being here in the moment is the easiest way to let go of the tension in my shoulders.
When I tangle it is the same, being present, focused on the stroke is what can get me to the relaxed state. I can’t get there if I am worried about what the tile will look like at the end, I can’t get there if I am focused on making the tangle perfect. I need to just focus and enjoy each stroke, each line, each curve to be able to relax into that tile.
It is a practice, and one that I am happy to be reminded to repeat.
Think about this…
What needs to happen for you to be in a content and relaxed state? What time of day is it? What chores aren’t lingering that you are thinking about doing. What can you do, and who can help you find a little relaxation in your week?
deliberate – still – appreciate – quiet – focus – trust – deconstruct – beautiful – reflect – relax – discover – create – comfort – shade – breathe – inspire – be bold – embellish – savor – slow – calm – admire
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