Written by Karen D. Swim
Questions, doubts, more questions. Fragments of ideas that seemed just out of reach.
Growing tired from the introspection, I stepped out into the nighttime air and breathed deeply of the cool air. I felt my flesh respond to the chill. Instead of grabbing a jacket, I gulped the air deeper allowing myself to feel the full force of cold on my skin, and the light wind lifting my air. It was comforting in its discomfort shaking me from my fog making me thankful that I could feel at all.
I stood in the air and an old song from church played in my head, “breathe on me.” I heard the gentle voices of the choir in my head and closed my eyes transporting my heart to the source of the song. Breathe on me. Transitions, questions, decisions. Breathe on me. Fear, uncertainty, excitement. Breathe on me.
I opened my eyes upon the inky night sky, renewed by breath. The stars twinkled faintly behind the clouds. The dark clouds hung over them like a drape, shielding the brilliance of their light. Yet, they were no less there and no less powerful.
One last, long inhale and I turned to go in, choosing to leave my own clouds under the darkness of the sky.
How do you recharge your own batteries when you’re feeling run down?
Hi Bo, there is something particularly peaceful about the night isn’t there? Last November, I did a lot of my NaNo writing at night which is quite different for me. It was wonderful, dark, still and peaceful.
Lovely thoughts on the inspiration and introspection that night can bring. I love the night.
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I don’t recharge quite so poetically. 😉
I put on TV, like Top Model or Ugly Betty, or I slap on some running clothes and go out for a job.
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Hi Karen.
Thank you for your vivid description of your personal re-charging experience.
I think that Friar is onto the right idea here, and certainly a beer and a joke with some mates represents a wonderful way to relax.
Personally, I go for a long bushwalk or bike ride. That just about does it for me.
@All, my sappy moment for the day, feeling very grateful to be able to share these moments with all of you! Thanks for being there for me!
@Brad, with you cheering me on I really am waking on air! I love the idea of connecting with people. I am not a fan of the phone but I do love my friends. 🙂
@Conor, I read your comment and popped in a Brahms CD. I am still waiting to pop in one of your CDs 🙂 YouTube awaits!
@Janice, we do seem to be in sync, walking the same path, stomach clenching as we plan that next scary move, heart fluttering with that mix of fear and excitement and needing to breathe deep and often. I am so glad for the gift of your friendship. Drawing strength from you and looking over knowing I am not alone.
@Jeanne, you just made my day! I am blessed so very blessed to be surrounded by so many light bearers. I love your distinction of unplugging based on the what and why. As I read that I realize I do that too, there are times when the recharge is outward, connecting to people and physical spaces and at others it is an internal introspection, an inhaling.
@Friar, lol! Well we should all have a Brett but you hit the Viking lottery!
“How do you recharge your own batteries when you’re feeling run down?”
Brett comes over. We drink beer.
’nuff said. 😀
Oh, Karen…your words transported me. Lovely and transformative…just like you! Thanks for an unexpected moment of zen!
Your question made me realize that I “unplug” in different ways (inward or outward) and I suppose how I unplug depends upon why, and what, I need to recharge. At times when I feel peopled-out or fried, I go inward and recharge with meditation and prayer. Other times I need to connect with those that always give more energy than they take; to be uplifted by spirits such as yours.
This is beautiful. Just as pure and crystalline as the moment you describe. A perfect moment at that. Sometimes the most imperfect feeling things are the very most perfect things for us right then. Turning points I think…to be cherished in fact.
And , I am chuckling a bit… I do deep breathing exercises at exactly these times. Seriously, we are so on the same wavelength at the moment. I have a guru, just got a tweet from him actually about…breathing. 😉
And that song was written for you to remember at just that moment. Wynton Marsalis said recently that that’s what the arts do. “They help us to go forward with confidence.” I think they tend to our souls.
Thank you for this, these words this morning. I am smiling at the gift of them.
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Hi Karen,
Beautiful imagery. I love the breathing analogy.
Like Brad, spontaneous trips are a sure bet for rejuvenation and refreshment for me. Long walks help me also.
However music is my true re-energiser. I turn everything else off, turn up the speakers and let every note and chord resonate through me. I become the vessel for the song and it transforms my mood.
Physical escape isn’t always possible, so I sit back and take a mental one 🙂
Conor
Karen, How poetic! Lately you sound as though you are walking on air. When I’m run down I like to break the routine – take a spontaneous trip, call someone I haven’t talked to in a long time, take a long walk … that usually does the trick.
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