Saturday, February 14, 2009

Peanut Butter and Water Balloons

I dare you to sit in silence.

Turn off the TV, your cell phone, radio, car, iPod, computer and everything else. Including the lights.

I dare you to sit alone with your thoughts and see what happens.

It seems as if people spend most of their lives trying to avoid being alone, but I don't get it. Loneliness is simply when you think being alone is a bad thing. Instead we should just call this meditation.

Or peace.

Or self-discovery.

Call it whatever you like, but at least give it a try. Sometimes being alone with your thoughts is the best thing for your soul. Give yourself time to look inward and ask questions you didn't even know you had.

That's the only way to find answers you didn't know you needed.

The Buddhists call this "self-realization" or "self-enlightenment." You can call it peanut butter or water balloons for all I care. The point is just try it. You'll be surprised with what you find.

I'm always taken back by how many people in this world don't even know who they are. Like they're afraid of asking the tough questions about themselves because they don't want the tough answers.

Embrace learning about yourself and don't shy away from growing as a person.

A friend told me yesterday that she read a book by someone who said to always order something new at a restaurant. Even if it's bad, it's new and you'll remember it.

Genius.

How many of us are content to order the same thing every time? Safe. Predictable. Easy. Not the way life was meant to be lived.

So I challenge you to sit in silence at least once every day, even if it's just for a minute. Give yourself time to look inward and ask questions you didn't even know you had.

That's the only way to find answers you didn't know you needed.

2 comments:

  1. BEN! I'm seriously in awe with the way you write. You're an amazing writer. I love your ideas and the way you put them out there. I really enjoy reading your blog!!!!!! It really seems like you're starting to be more positive and that makes me really happy.

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  2. Along the same lines, try closing your eyes and walking to the bathroom. It's good for you.

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