taking time…
May 5th, 2005
I’m trying to remember to take time at the moment. It’s something I’ve been forgetting a little lately. When I have a few things on the go (and just now I suddenly seem to have quite a few) I find it very hard to stop and do the things that I know make life feel better.
Stopping and drawing something in front of me is just one way of making space and slowing down. If I draw with the sort of mindless concentration (or more accurately, contemplation) then I have no choice but slow down and relax. It’s not always easy to stop in the busy bustle of the outside world, but it really can be worth it. I need to keep reminding myself of that.
Interestingly when I do stop for a while - not try to get just one more thing done - I do find I often manage to get through more, or things I thought needed addressing disappear, or problems and knots seem to iron themselves out a little. Of course that’s not always the case. Sometimes stopping doesn’t help with what needs doing, it’s still there. But I’m a little more able to deal with it (or can decide it doesn’t matter if it just doesn’t get done, or it might matter but hey my sanity and health is more important)…
May 5th, 2005 at 1:34 pm
Oh - look - that was my first car! I love 2CVs, though they were a bit difficult on the motorway - I was forever being bullied by lorries.
They were good for ‘taking things slowly’ - 0 - 60 in five minutes
May 5th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
I have been trying harder to slow it down. I have been having a tough time of it, with fatigue, muscle spasms, mouth sores and headaches. And life just keeps knocking at the door. I now find time at red lights to do “Pachabel Breathing”…four counts in, four counts out humming or thinking the Pachabel Cannon. It helps. And putting the Wanna Do’s in front of the line more helps, too.
Those Should Do’s keep packing in though. Ugh.
All I want to do is sleep. I try to nap twice a day for an hour if I can. But, being a single mom with 3 part time jobs makes that difficult.
More. Tea. More. Tea. More Tea.
Off to brew!,
J.
May 5th, 2005 at 2:49 pm
I also find that drawing can be a remarkable contemplative tool. I tend towards a naturally jumpy and restless temperament, and drawing is one of the few things (perhaps the only thing) I do where the world can truly fall away and I’m fully concentrated on the act.
And I love the car.
May 5th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
Honestly, Michael, you seem to be the most together person that I know at the moment. I love reading your philosophy of life and am envious that I cannot manage to put it into practice. External pressures seem to keep getting in the way. The two hours that I spend at art class on Monday nights are the most restful, stressful hours of the week. Restful because of the total immersion in the task at hand. Stressful because of the constant need to get it right on my part.
Roll on retirement!
May 6th, 2005 at 5:12 am
I love that illustration! Reminds me of the little car in Ikea, where they show you that you really can take your gear home that day without a truck.
May 6th, 2005 at 4:37 pm
Just a general comment - like your new-look website and wish I was at the ‘Drawing Club’ too. I know just how calming an experience talking to Michael can be. You deserve a huge following, Michael. xx