Quieter Inside

[On a walk from our rental house to the lake in Ephraim, Wisconsin. Taken last week.]

It turns out I didn't pack quite casually enough for our vacation in Door County, Wisconsin, and I could have left half of what I brought at home. I know that is a typical travel error - overpacking - but there was something incredibly comforting about the realization that there is a place in the world I can visit for two solid weeks with nothing more than bike shorts, tank tops, hiking shorts, a bathing suit and a pair of jeans. Throw in some jandals and all-around outdoor shoes like the turquoise pair shown above and you're good to go. The itinerary on Wisconsin's peninusla is pretty simple and straightforward: ride bicycles on beautiful, peaceful roads as well as along trails through empty forests, kayak on Lake Michigan, hike through the Peninsula State Park, read, nap and - the most important piece of the puzzle - eat.

That list pretty much sums up what I was up to during my two week absence, and I came back having a particular kind of clarity I'm not sure I've had in a while. It isn't that I haven't had focus or priorities or a clear understanding of what drives me to create the life I'm creating, it is more that I returned home with a lot less noise in my brain. After thinking of myself as someone who longs for a simpler life, I now have a deeper understanding of what I need to do to open up more space for that, and recognize all the ways I have been adding and creating complications in my life unneccessarily. I don't think this means I am now embarking on a radically different path, but that my life will continue to look basically the same but feel remarkably different as I remove all the tiny threads of distraction that pull me this way and that.

So much is out of our hands in life. Well, pretty much everything is. It is all out of our control - the weather, the stock market, the behavoir of those we love, whether or not whatever we offer the world is accepted and celebrated - none of it can be reined in and molded to our specifications, needs and desires. With this understanding of the way the world works, the best we can do is pick and choose what we allow into our lives, knowing even that can be managed to a very limited extent. My goal now is not to try to force things in or out of my life to create more of this elusive "simplicity", but to approach any situation, dilemma, dream, plan or relationship from a gentler frame of mind. To honor that corner in my mind where the volume is all the way down, and all I can hear is the steadiness of my own breathing. I don't know how successful I'll be as time passes and the memory of the past two weeks grows fuzzier, but right now I feel clear-headed and light, and thankful for what will very likely be a tragically brief glimpse of unmitigated contentment.

July 15, 2008 at 04:09 PM | Permalink

Comments

what a wonderful break and vacation it sounds like.

Hope the clarity and peace stays for a long while.

smooches and love

Posted by: thea | July 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM

So happy the noise has been turned down. Quite is always a lovely place. Love your sandles....fun.....happy you are back my friend..missed you while you were away...xoxox

Posted by: Ms. Conley | July 17, 2008 at 10:47 AM

i'm trying to nurture this quiet place too, the one with the volume down low. i missed you while you were away... i think we need a phone date soon... we can whisper :-) i love you xoxo

Posted by: susannah | July 17, 2008 at 03:22 AM

wonderful post! and waiting for news about the paperback! can't wait!

Posted by: Alexandra | July 16, 2008 at 10:17 PM

It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your time off! We're all looking forward to the added sage you've picked up; it will be wonderful to see how it plays out. Welcome back!

www.indigeneartforms.blogspot.com

Posted by: indigene | July 16, 2008 at 05:44 PM

I say prevent the re-mitigation of your contentment at all costs.

Currently written on my bathroom mirror (my mirror that that helps remind me of all those things I need to be reminded of) are the words "You have everything you need." Originally, it was to help prevent me from purchasing a Mac Book Air. I think this this is the first time I am so clearly lusting after a piece of technology - oh but its so pretty (sigh) that I may still fall to temptation. But, still, its been helpful for so much more than that. To start off the day knowing I have everything I need and to end the day being reminded its still true is a wonderful thing. Plus, with shoes like that, how could you really believe anything else?

Posted by: Popeye | July 16, 2008 at 04:59 PM

dude-- make a note of this and add only sweat/fleece to the list and it's all.you.need. at Squam-- pinky swear!

Posted by: Elizabeth | July 16, 2008 at 10:57 AM

I love the word gentle. Welcome back :)

Posted by: Lisa | July 16, 2008 at 09:44 AM

I had to smile to myself reading this. You describe exactly what a vacation is supposed to be, a time to relax and regroup. All too often I find that even our precious holidays have become subjects of frantic activities because oh dear, we cannot possibly just sit back and chill out and do NOTHING! You had a lot going on with your book launch and everything else that fills your daily life, I am glad you were able to get some well deserved rest to balance it all out a bit :) And I, too, love those shoes and that photo!

Posted by: Kerstin | July 16, 2008 at 07:13 AM

thanks for taking time to articulate your thoughts and conclusions about simplicity... we all need more peace, more quiet, more of a gentle approach to our lives and our selves.

by the way, i love your artwork! i agree that door county is wonderful and i have to say, i too, love the shoes.

blessings,
helen

Posted by: Helen | July 16, 2008 at 06:33 AM