Calming Ourselves Down

Driving home from a recent trip to Colorado, my husband chose to take the scenic route; a two lane highway that wound itself through the beautiful landscape of northwest Wyoming. The mountains in the distance were majestic, there was not much traffic and the speed limit was only 65 mph.

When the scenic route ended and we were back on the interstate, I drove. The traffic was busier, the scenery dull and the speed limit, well let’s just say I kept it just under 90 mph.

After arriving home from our 16 hour marathon drive, we went to bed. Though I was lying still, my body felt as though it was still moving at a high rate of speed down the interstate. 

Our everyday ordinary lives can make us feel that way too. We may be sitting still on the outside while our insides are moving at a high rate of speed. Our American culture lends itself to always doing something; answering emails, responding to texts, making phone calls, or driving somewhere to do something. Gone are the days when it was acceptable behavior to sit on a front porch swing and watch the world go by for an afternoon or evening.  

Yet, how many of us long to recreate some of that relaxing time for ourselves? 

I know myself well enough to know that my body more readily adapts to a higher rate of speed than people such as my husband. I have a need for speed. My body is happiest when it is in some kind of motion. Sitting still can sometimes be terribly painful. 

But, instead of spending time analyzing why I am the way I am, I’ve spent time discovering ways to calm myself down so that when my husband chooses to take the scenic route, I can enjoy it with him instead of anxiously waiting for the route to end.

For instance, my early morning hours are electronic free. My hands hold an honest to goodness book, the kind where you have to turn the page, where your fingers feel the paper and your nose smells the print on the page.

Then, my fingers then take a pen in hand and write in a journal. I feel the smoothness of my pen between my fingers and the flow of ink across the page. Seeing the obscure thoughts that I formulate in my mind take the shape of words, I gain more meaning and understanding of what I am thinking. 

When I take time to sit still, read something inspirational and then write what is on my mind, I am practicing something that helps to calm me down. This little routine relaxes my internal system so that even when my husband takes the scenic route at 65 mph. my 90 mph, body can slow down and enjoy the scenery with him. 

Why Bother?

Why bother knowing how to calm ourselves down? There will always be pressure, strain, and tension in life and in moderation the distress is a good thing. But, knowing how to calm ourselves down will help us to pay attention to the beautiful world around us and enjoy it more.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who, like me, know they need to change, but are not quite sure where to start. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.