Unsilencing The Lamb
I watched the usual Saturday morning dogs playing at Trigg this week. A small maltese poodle that bounds like a lamb is part of our walking group. She (Grace) has no inhibitions. And this week she enjoyed bounding around some friendly babies, who were valiantly trying to keep from toppling over.
Grace’s playfulness and freedom were noticeable as her paws, tail and ears flapped as she ran. With abandon.
Both dogs and baby head off in a direction and stop and turn suddenly. The dogs from exertion and the babies from sheer panic at suddenly being alone on their adventure.
There is an open-eyed wander and fearlessness to these antics. Every action seems new and carefree.
But not you, maybe? As a possible jaded adult you’ve seen and done most of your routine activities a million times before. You tend to rush through your walks, drives, shopping, chores and coffee-catchups etc.
But these routine things take up your days. And hence your life. Which quickly feel rushed and routine.
On most days you probably don’t have a choice regarding your routine and “to-dos”.
But wouldn’t you like to be like Grace and embrace a feeling of “lamb-bounding” into your life?
This is easier than you think if you understand this as a feeling-state as opposed to your headspace as pressure of yet another activity into your jam-packed day.
Bounding like a lamb is spontaneous.
So – how can you manage to fit spontaneity into your daily life as a busy individual with an already overcrowded plate?
Do you hear the thoughts: “One day when things settle down, I’ll have time to be present as well as spontaneous”?
I used to travel the same route once I knew a road. I didn’t want to get lost as I usually didn’t have either the time or the energy. I planned holidays’ itineraries so that I ensured I saw and did everything necessary. All tourist activities were pre-booked and added into the plan.
I left no space for anything to go wrong. I have friends who toured the world with nothing but a suitcase and the relevant “Lonely Planet”.
“How brave they are,” I’d think, “but quite irresponsible,” I’d justify my own fear state to myself.
But actually… how exciting is it to travel like this?!
How thrilling to be responsible for only what really matters and be spontaneous for the rest?
So perhaps you can start with reframing your understanding in meaning of spontaneity?
It doesn’t need to be something time consuming that cuts into your already-precious time – like flying to New York for a shopping spree! – Spontaneity can merely be a small change to what you’re already doing.
Challenge yourself - What new things can you try this month?
• Drive a new route to work (without your GPS!)
• Walk in the opposite direction that you usually do on your route
• Get a new haircut
• Wear a different colour
• Read a new genre of book
• Eat a different culture’s food
• Talk to a stranger in a queue somewhere
• Watch a TV program you wouldn’t usually watch
Being spontaneous opens your mind (and heart), stimulates your brain and invites change.
And we learn and grow as we change.
That’s a fact.
Try it – one small new thing this month.
Even if you have to plan it.
Bound freely. Feel differently.
Submitted by Heidi Cornelissen, Completely Human
