Last Friday, for the first time in many
years, I was without internet access the whole day and night. I don’t
remember the last time that happened. Probably before I had a
computer.
John Cali
Even though I live alone and don’t often get out among people
face-to-face, I lead a very busy life. This past Friday made me
realize all that "busyness" is centered around my
computers.
I love technology because it lets me do this work with Chief
Joseph from almost anywhere on the planet, even this remote area of
the USA’s northern Rocky Mountains.
But last Friday I realized technology has become my double-edged
sword. In some ways, it’s simplified my life. In other ways, it’s
complicated it.
Friday was the quietest day I’ve had in recent memory. I loved
it! I just puttered around doing whatever I felt like doing. The day
was filled with simplicity and silence.
I need more days like that.
Here’s Chief Joseph.
Chief Joseph
As John said, technology has become a double-edged sword for most
of you. It cuts both ways.
Most of you lead immensely complicated, and often confusing,
lives. There was a time in human history when, if you were away from
the cities and their urban environments, life was simpler. You know
-- that idyllic, simple country life many of you still dream about.
But today, because of your modern technology, country life can be
as complicated as city life, and just as stressful. Your lives are
no longer filled with "simplicity and silence," John’s
words to describe his day last Friday.
You all need days like that. But, like John, you don’t usually
realize it until those kinds of days are thrust upon you by the
Universe.
We are not criticizing or condemning your technology, or the
"busyness" of your modern world.
We are saying you need balance in your lives. Many of you,
individually, and your society as a whole, have become dangerously
unbalanced. You simply reel, like a drunken man, from one crisis to
another. You take no time to stop and "smell the roses."
In short, you’re freaked out, stressed out, wondering how you
and your world ever got so crazy.
Well, friends, as we’ve said many times before, the world could
be going to hell in a hand basket while you are living a life of
balance, joy, and abundance.
But it’s up to you to create that life of balance, joy, and
abundance. No one else will do it for you. No one else can do
it for you. And your world is certainly not going to do it
for you.
We are not advocating you give up your jobs, your spouses, your
friends, your technology, etc. We are advocating you take
time alone and apart from them -- time just for the most important
person in your life -- you.
You can do this in whatever way appeals to you. Meditating is one
way. Other ways can be taking a walk in the woods or at the
seashore, reading, watching a sunset, listening to music, simply
"doing" nothing but relaxing and appreciating your life
and the beauty all around you. There are many ways.
But the most important thing is for you to do this regularly. If
not every day, then certainly several times a week. Do this as a
loving service to yourself.
In this quiet time you will deepen your connection with your
higher selves. You will feel a greater current of peace and joy
flowing through your life.
Every day, whether you’re immersed in your worldly busyness or
in your quiet time, will become a time of simplicity and silence.
There is much power in simplicity and silence.
Chief Joseph talks about related subjects here:
The
Simple Life
A
Quiet Mind
Clutter
Exercises
in Futility
Gone Fishing
Overwhelmed
Be
Here Now
The
Simple Life
Multi-Tasking
