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Even with the door shut I can hear the wind whirring and buzzing and swirling outside. But it’s not normally that easy. Most days I have to stand in it to hear it. To hear the quiet around me that helps echo back the words that are in my own soul. Today, I can hear it from inside.
But only because I made a conscious choice to listen. To stop the noise and listen. And what I heard today? Get out.
Just like that.
Get out.
Get out of the noise and clamor (don’t you love that word) of everything that’s drowning out my own thoughts. Get out into some wide open spaces, meadows, that have no rush of cars or people or conversations, but only have the slow stir of the breeze around me. Get out into these wide spaces in my own life and let myself think. Let my soul breath some clean air. Get out of the stale. Get out of the stuffy. Get out of the noisy.
I haven’t written a song in a while. And on more than one occasion, I’ve had the distinct thought that there are no more songs in me.
None.
Because right now I can’t hear any.
So I’m going to get out… Get quiet… And listen. Maybe it’ll be the beach. Maybe it’ll be the back porch. Maybe it’ll be the little nook in my kitchen where I have a clean shot at the coffee pot and bird feeder.
But I know that my soul needs to get out very very soon.
Where do you go to get out?
Getting out – hum. its interesting that you mention getting out. Today, in 2 hours I will be out of my comfort zone. I will be sitting in a court room with a family who is about to be separated – not by choice. And yet because of bad choices. The young father, who will be holding an infant child, will stand before a judge facing a possible sentence of 2 years away from his family, starting today. He has been at home pending his hearing. Pray for them.
Sometimes we have to “get out” and then “get in” to someone else’s life. It makes us vulnerable and puts us in an uncomfortable spot. And yet, Christ became man – He had not experienced that – yet his Father sent him to earth as a man – out of his comfort zone to be a rescue for man kind. Christ even begged his Father to let this pass him by – but He was told no. He died on the cross as a man – and our Savior. He went to the cross to get out.
Good word Papa–especially that final line… And I’m glad y’all will be there for that family.
I just go where ever there are no kids
. Unfortunately, that’s nearly impossible 
.
And quit teasin….get to singin!…..please?
hahah! Ok! Will try to record this one asap.
Two things: waking up before everyone else in the house, and going for a drive. Both let me clear my mind and refocus a little….
I forgot the “going for a drive” thing. I used to do that when I was in Highschool/College. On warm summer nights. Or cool fall/spring evenings. ahhhhh yes…
I have an old writer’s trick.
I lay down when I am not tired. With my hearing aids out. Glasses off. Comfortable. Eyes closed.
Once my mind gets in tune with my heartbeat, and the echoing pulsations, I start listening for my Genius.
He never fails to show up. The only challenge is getting to the pen and paper fast enough, before I lose the words — it has happened, even when I keep them right beside me.
I agree with that challenge… I have that same experience when I’m falling asleep sometimes. It’s beautiful and inconvenient all at the same time. Sometimes, on my writing Mondays, I even take a nap to get my brain to “wake up”–it often works!
When it’s warmer outside, I love to sit at a picnic table with an empty notebook and a pencil. When it’s cold for so much of the year, though…
I definitely struggle to find that quietness during the winter.
I remember your notebook and pencil. I loved seeing you out there writing and thinking and thinking and writing. Reminds me that I need to do some more of out-door writing before it gets too hot.
You’re just all about rubbing it in my face lately…
Jonah just walked by and said if you do not stop being funny, he’ll have to go down there and toss a water balloon on you. (Before it gets too hot.)
haha so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I mean. Well. yeah I was being “cheeky” as they say… sorry Tell Jonah to PLEASE don’t throw me in the brier patch!
Yeah, cheeky. While I’m still wearing my long winter coat.
You know next time we see you there will have to be water balloons. Just think of it as southern humidity in a more condensed form.
I welcome any and all water ballooning! We should have a water balloon fight on the beach. Oh yes we could arrange it!
i crave this place.
i find it most often running by the ocean on a perfect day.
can’t wait to hear the song.
You know I’m my worst critic. But I actually like this song. I’m going to post it sometime soon so I can get feedback & thoughts from y’all. And I’ll wanna hear what you honestly think about it. mkay?
P.S. What do you do on less-than-perfect days?
- i try really hard not to say the first thing that comes to mind…. or 2nd or 5th. best really to wait it out for the 13th or 18th thing.
- starbucks
- sometimes i go for a walk around the property
- sometimes i play a round of angry birds or scrabble for a few minutes
- i call my honey and talk about something nice. i find talking about the problem may make me feel better for a second. but usually i go right back to feeling bad, or worse, for having dumped my junk on someone else. obviously, some things need to be talked out. but for me, most things i just need to plow through. there’s nothing to fix really… just is what it is. finding the difference is the key.
it’s not enough to stuff away the bad stuff…. you have to let some good stuff out.
most effective, though…
- when i get home i pull on my saucony’s, put in my bose earbuds, go to the beach and run till i can’t go any farther. this always fixes everything. when i joke about my relationship with endorphins… i’m really not joking. they have saved my life. and nothing kicks them into action like running.
I agree about the endorphins. Oh how I agree about that! I think I told you that I use Alias and my elliptical. It’s a beautiful distraction, while pumping some happy chemicals into my system as well. Magic, actually… And, yes, it’s better than just talking talking talking about it. And then, like you said, let some good stuff out. I try to get my mind off it and focus on something else.
I’ve also heard that women tend to clean when they get stressed. I wish that was the case for me! haha
My front steps are good for getting out. We homeschool, so during public school hours is a great time to hear quiet. Once it blooms, the cherry tree in my neighbor’s yard will shade the spot during midday. I’ve seen lots of wildlife–even an eagle–from these steps.
I, too, can’t wait to hear your new song.
Candi! HEY!!!
Ok. Calming down now.
I’m glad you’ve got a quiet place that you can escape to. Hope you get to do that pretty often!
My get-out: West Eagle Meadow in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area/Eastern Oregon
All you can hear is a elk bugling in the distance, wind rushing through the tall grass, birds chirping, and quiet gurgling of Eagle Creek.
aahhhhhh wow that “sounds” amazing (no pun intended). How often are you able to get out there, Jessica?
only once a year….
i have a great front porch and a great backyard. but I’ve discovered neither possess magical powers over my ever-churning head. when i have plates spinning all over, with things to remember that i haven’t put on a list, i can’t hear those song snippets… or those profoundly simple creative thoughts… or those ideas about how to release someone into a new kind of ministry.
it’s a problem.
I’ve been wondering how “it” is going for you these days… “it” being the song snippets & such. I hope you can steal some time. Talk that man of yours into letting you come down for a quiet beach-filled weekend. I won’t make you do the dishes. That’s what Drew’s for.
So I’ve just signed up for a job that is 7 days a week for the next 4 1/2 months. I have a feeling that I’ll hafta work hard to “get out.” Although it would be ironic if I traveled all the way to a war zone just to discover that it’s easier to “get out” when I’m far away from everything I’ve ever known.
The irony is not impossible… Even though you’re working 7 days, there will probably be an extended period of time where your “off-time” is open to wandering. I hope you’re able to use that time well. And read a good book or ten.