Originally posted on Facebook HERE
Back home today. One of the best things about traveling is coming home. I love getting away, going to new places, exploring them, and meeting new people… and I love coming home as well. All of a sudden all the cool things about being home that get taken for granted a bit are seen from a new perspective, and even little things get a new valuation from having been without them for a while. It’s not just things, though – it’s people, too. You want to really realize the importance of the people and things in your life?… walk away for a while. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? For the things you truly love and enjoy, yes – but absence also clears a path to removing things as well… it can give some clarity on possessions, and maybe even people, that it’s time to step away from. I’m a bit of a hoarder myself, I don’t like to get rid of things until and unless I’m absolutely sure I won’t ever need it again, or as close to sure as possible. So, they start piling up… and it’s not just “things”, really – for me, anyway – it’s also “things to do”… I have these awesome notepads all over the house and I have pages of “things to do” at any given time. And piles of “stuff to go through” as well. Clutter. It’s everywhere. Both physically and mentally. So, for me – when I went on this vacation, I brought a bunch of musical gear thinking I’d play and record a lot of music… I didn’t. It was pretty clear early on, what I really needed was less. Less of everything. Less thinking. Less organized activity. I need more of less, basically. Because I don’t often let myself just sit and watch the world go by. My mind wants to get up and do something productive. But… sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing. I’m beginning to see why people just sit on their porch and watch the world go by. I don’t do enough of that. Or why people just, maybe – take a walk, for the sake of taking a walk only. I don’t do enough of that, either. Or a bike ride. Or shoot baskets… I used to do a lot of that type of thing when I was younger. I used to sleep a lot better back then, too. I didn’t start sleeping better on this last trip until I was two weeks in, when I resigned myself to the fact that the most productive thing I could do on this trip was to be unproductive. I feel great today. Slept great last night. Love being home. Sometimes you have to leave to be fully here. Sometimes the most productive thing to do is nothing. Sometimes less is more. So, today I appreciate that the Universe will teach you what you need to know no matter what you have in mind, if you are open to letting it. Let go, and let God, right?… give yourself a break now and then. Walk away to see things anew.
