by Lynn A. Thomas
SoulPoweredLife.com
Taking Time for Introspection
I am writing this from an ancient laptop because my newer faster laptop decided to die, expire, croak. It’s death was untimely and inconvenient to my plans, but it’s gone and that’s it.
So now as I shop my options for a new computer, I write on this old machine, that works fairly well at the desktop, but is too slow and labored to be online.
I sit at my desk and wonder, “With deadlines to meet and projects to complete, why did this happen?”
Years ago, while waxing philosophic to one of my instructors, he said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” Sometimes things just are what they are, nothing more.
But another wonderful teacher said, “Sometimes there are stopping places along the path, where we are to take a breath, ponder and observe.”
So why did my newer computer die when it did? I was making forward progress, but I kept feeling like I didn’t have enough time. I felt pressured to hurry and get many things done at once.
But even as I worked on those projects, I was greatly distracted by some of the chatter on the Internet. I would write for awhile, then jump on the Net and – well you know how it is – one link leads to another – and before I’d know it, an hour would pass.
However, this older laptop labors too slowly on the Internet – so I spend most of my time offline. I feel less distracted since I only check my email once a day instead of every hour. My pace has slowed and I’ve stopped wondering about what’s online – and started seeking what’s inside me.
Instead of exploring online, I have time for yoga, meditation and contemplation – and reading and writing in my journals. I’ve taken my dog for longer walks, and have even chatted with my neighbors.
Perhaps the computer croaked simply because the machine failed. Or maybe it was from a need to take time to reflect, ponder and slow down the pace — a time for introspection and reconnection to the inner journey. This can be true of a failed computer, a job loss, or a broken relationship.
Sometimes “a cigar is just a cigar” and sometimes it’s a “stopping place along the path”.
Either way, this pause along the path has indeed been a time to take a breath. I’ve had time to work on existing and new projects without distraction, being more focused in the now moment.
Image: Graur Codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Yes, the computer needs to be replaced… I cannot perform some of my tasks – or be social – without the higher speed… but just for today, I’ll take one more day to explore this slower pace.
