Monthly Archives: March 2013

Connecting to our world brings us closer to ourselves

One of my visits was to Arainn Mhór island off Donegal. What a really beautiful place to find oneself as part of their work1
One of my visits was to Arainn Mhór island off Donegal. What a really beautiful place to find oneself as part of their work1

Life can be so busy. Often people say that they do not have time to think. What they are really saying is that they do not have time for themselves! We seem to be constantly rushing to the next thing that needs to be done. It’s as if we never stop. Our thoughts run fast as we plan ahead or even as we look back. So many people find themselves engulfed by an endless list of objectives which need to be achieved. Others are overwhelmed by an avalanche of regrets from yesteryear. Life can be very noisy. We close our hearts and minds to our natural yearning for a stillness to descend upon us.  We literally ignore ourselves – and become blind to our needs. However, it is only through seeking this peace that we can ever hope to experience it. And it is important that we prioritise this real need in our lives.

Strandhill - at the edge of all that matters........
Strandhill – at the edge of all that matters……..

Over recent weeks I have been very busy. I often felt that I was going to bump into myself at the door of my home! My work has brought me from Clonakilty to Stranlolar, from Sligo to Drumcondra.  There has been very little stillness or peace. I have found myself working until I was so tired that sleep was the only option. It’s so easy to become ‘hoovered’ up by our work! It is shamefully too easy to let a precious day pass by where every moment of it was spent just doing things!! Sleeping is only one kind of rest that we require. It is also important to ‘rest’ when we are awake – to become aware of ourselves and to connect with the world around us.

Some rocks at Rosses Point. I sat here and soaked it all in!
Some rocks at Rosses Point. I sat here and soaked it all in!

Sometimes what we need more than anything is a walk on our own. I walk the beaches of Rosses Point and Strandhill regularly. In recent days I treated myself to some quality time with myself in my beloved Sligo. We all have an innate appreciation of beauty and excellence around us and great pleasure can be derived from acknowledging the majesty of our world. This pleasure can be experienced in the things a person sees, hears, tastes, touches and smells. Some of us need to practice more at connecting with our world. When we leave the noise of life behind us we can hear the music of nature so much better. We become bonded to something larger than ourselves. We sense an emotional experience of awe or wonder. We can become uplifted and even sense the calmness that our bodies and minds yearn so much for.