The other night I was out walking Spike (10 year old Alaskan Husky/sled dog) when I suddenly stopped in the middle of the field we were crossing. What is different? We stood there for a few moments taking stock in our surroundings. What has caught my attention? We did not sense any danger or threat. Spike was not alerting me of a suspicious smell that usually meant we changed course to avoid whatever it is that he didn't like.
After listening for a few minutes I realized that was it - QUIET!!!!! I was hearing quiet. There was no zooming of cars in the distance, the air was not filled with the energy of the world bustling around us. There was stillness and quietness. I then assessed the feelings in my body. To my amazement I was relaxed. I did not have my shoulders hiked to my ears and my back muscles were not tight all of which are my usual way of protecting myself from the noise and energetic assults of the everyday world living in a busy area.
I realized how this quiet and stillness is what I lived in for 7 years in the Adirondack Park in NY state. It was the 7 years I was my sickest. It was a place where I did not hear cars, nor distance traffic, the noise of a neighbor mowing their lawn or leaf blowing. I did not FEEL the pressure of the outside world. I did not FEEL society. I could breathe fully. My body could expand to its edges. The ancient forest with its healing spores could heal me. For more info on this subject check out https://www.adirondack.net/history/tb-taking-the-cure/ .
Needless to say when I moved back to the Quakertown area in 2015 I immediately felt the assult on my senses. I quickly realized how we and our animals must work at desensitizing ourselves to live in society. Now with it quiet, I realize how the world around me normally is and what effort it takes on my part to shield myself from its many distractions and intrusions. As does Spike.
So take the time right now to experience this unprecedented time of quiet. May we all continue to hold onto it for as long as we can even when the world opens for business again.
