It’s the beginning of the third week of January, 2024 and it just feels like starting with a joke is a good idea!
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice. Although I am not talking about musical instruments directly, I do want to talk with you about Practices.
Practice is an easier word for me to refer to what I do; it feels peaceful and spacious. No hard to-do list if I can help it. I practice creativity and I practice my faith. I also practice yoga and writing and gardening. I practice a lot!
One practice I love is beach combing. It combines being outdoors in creation with a time of solitude all while wandering aimlessly looking for seaglass, heart shaped rocks, shells and driftwood. I am a California girl and have easy access to the beach. I realize right this minute millions of Americans are in a deep freeze of dangerous proportions. The practice of solitude outdoors may need to be saved for later for you.
I use this time for prayer, sometimes audible conversations with God. I figure no one cares about someone with their head down looking for beach ephemera!
Another practice I’ve been giving more time to is restoring old things. Since last episode when I self-disclosed that I haven’t been living from my values of faith and creativity, I thought it would be good for me to practice what I preach, so I made time to work on the Welcome sign I found at a garage sale. I love to restore and repurpose items (instead of them landing in the landfill). I’ve been painting the sign on and off for a couple of months. More off than on to be honest. Since last week’s episode I have finished painting it, have sprayed it with sealer and will put the hardware back on tomorrow. I already have a place to display it!
What I’m noticing about my two practices is they are fueling my work of content creation. Turns out all work and no play does make me a dull girl. I’ve found myself re-energized after engaging in these practices.
I’d love to hear what you’re noticing from your time in quiet. Send me an email lisa@lisalewiscoaching.com or head to Substack Learning Along the Way and comment on a post to let me know what you’re noticing as you practice sitting in quiet.
