I posted recently about a longing for simpler times. I had plans of making some significant changes this summer. Well, plans don't always go as planned.
Shortly after that post, I found myself engrossed in about 1600 pages of a book series (one that I won't recommend here.) I spent my days with the TV off, relaxing music playing the background, and my nose in a book. I finished this series a few days ago, and something has changed. Every time I turn on the TV, every show seems too loud. It seems like an unwelcome interruption. I keep turning it off and going to the stereo, instead. I've done loads of housework. I've rearranged furniture. I've cleaned out drawers. I'm constantly looking for something to ward off the boredom. In this time, I've found a renewed love for Lionel Richie music, instrumental guitar versions of classics, and just quiet in general.
I have one of those brains that doesn't shut off. There's a constant chatter inside my head. I have to go to sleep with the TV on as a distraction for my brain. Otherwise, I might lie there and rehash every thought I've had that day, ponder the ills of the world, imagine scenarios of how conversations should have gone, etc. I've used the TV to silence my brain for years.
Oddly enough, over these recent days of quiet, my mind has also quieted. I feel a peace I hadn't before. I canceled about half of the channels on our satellite, and I deleted the Facebook app from my phone. I no longer get notified every time someone comments on one of my posts or likes one of my pictures or comments after me on someone else's post. And you know what? It's okay. All of those notifications are there waiting for me when I decide to take time out to get online and look. I haven't missed a single emergency.
I guess what I'm getting at is that, even in moments of boredom (discontentment,) I'm finding some of the sweetest contentment. When I fail to find anything to watch on TV, and I wander through the house looking for something to do, I feel pleased with myself. I'm happy to spend an hour playing with the kitties at the barn. I'm satisfied to just sit back and listen to old memories playing from the stereo. I feel accomplished to complete those household chores that I normally put off. Yes. Something has changed. I want less. Less noise. Less hum. Less mindless distraction. I'm living in this moment and in this place.
Sometimes it takes giving something up to find something else you didn't know you were missing.
Just for fun, here's a rundown of my go-to soundtrack for these relaxing days:
1. God Didn't Make Little Green Apples- Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry
2. The Rose- Bette Midler
3. Les Bicyclettes de Belsize- Engelbert Humperdinck
4. Last Date- Floyd Cramer
5. Sunshine on my Shoulders- John Denver
6. Flowers on the Wall- The Statler Bros.
7. Autumn Leaves- played by my brother, Brian Arnold
8. If- Bread
9. Wichita Lineman- Glen Campbell
10. Banana Boat Song- Harry Belafonte
11. Yesterday- The Beatles
12. Music Box Dancer- played by Brian
13. Time in a Bottle- Jim Croce
14. Do You Remember These?- The Statler Bros.
15. Edelweiss- played by Brian
16. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White- Perez Prado & his orchestra
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