Stop and Think
Posted on 02. Apr, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Inspirations
Stop and think. How often do you stop and think?
Most of us don’t spend nearly enough time stopping and thinking. By stop and think I just mean taking a moment to consider something…anything! It could be stopping to consider, “What do I want to do with the next hour?” or “What do I want out of the next five years of my life?” Both short-term and long-term questions are important.
How often do you stop and think?
Many people make a concerted effort to stop and think. I knew one person who’d pull up into his driveway on the way home from work. Instead of rushing inside, he’d simply sit in his car for a few extra minutes and contemplate how he wanted to spend that evening. For him, those few extra moments were enough focus for him to figure out what he wanted to do with his spare time that day.
For me, I’ve used blogging as a way to force me to stop and think. The act of sitting in front of a blank computer screen makes me focus. “What do I want to write about? What’s going on with me these days? Was I happy or sad today? What do I want to do over the next year?” I ask myself all kinds of questions when I sit down to write a blog post.
Cameron is a good thinker. I sometimes come across him spacing out looking as though he’s doing nothing at all. It used to make me do a double-take. “What are you doing? Are you just sitting there doing…nothing?” I’d ask.
“I don’t know.” He’d answer. “I’m just thinking.”
His thinking used to disturb me. Now I know it’s just him planning and dreaming and taking stock.
How often do you stop and think?
CWJ
Apr 2nd, 2009
Yup. You’re absolutely correct, Laura-Jane. Problem is, for most people, modern life conspires to keep them running on that hamster wheel so fast they feel they have no opportunity to take a breather. But it’s *essential* to do so, because otherwise one is simply existing, going through the motions. “Thinking” = “smelling the roses”. Since jumping off that wheel, *this* particular hamster has — as you might imagine — spent countless hours in the woods, concentrating on the real.
Where’s that lovely bridge Cameron’s perched on?
nicole
Apr 2nd, 2009
I really like to stop and think too. Or maybe a better description is stop and dream. There’s no better place than a third world country or the woods to help the process along!
Rain
Apr 2nd, 2009
I was not able to stop and think until just recently actually. I agree with CWJ because my former modern life took complete control of me until I severely burned out. What used to be of dire importance before is simply trivial now. What is important to me is not always tangible. I sit on my “coffee bench” each morning on the porch, cuddled up with the dogs. I sip coffee and watch the birds feeding, I guess that’s my stop and think time. I know that I’m lucky enough to be able to sit quietly thinking comfortably, without feeling restless or distracted, it’s like I’m finally at peace with myself and how I’m living my life.
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Apr 2nd, 2009
@CWJ – Yes, hamster wheel… I remember it well… Aah, you do your thinking in the woods. That makes perfect sense. And I’ve had the pleasure of walking in your woods, too! A perfect spot for stopping and thinking. Or um, walking and thinking.
@Nicole – Yes, I like that much better: stop and dream!!! I really like that expression, Nicole.
@Rain – Coffee bench on the porch with dogs sounds lovely. What kinds of birds are at your feeder these days (if any)? Yes, there is very little time for stopping and thinking in our modern lives these days. Very glad to read that you’re at peace these days. But peace isn’t without adventure, as you’re showing. :)
Steven Fisher
Apr 2nd, 2009
Sitting outside for a good think has been on my to-do list for a while now, but the weather has been horribly uncooperative. Hopefully next week.
Rain
Apr 2nd, 2009
Hi Laura-Jane,
Peace is lovely, and my adventure will bring more of it! I’d planned my move to the Island over a quick 2 days (one stop in Fredericton, then off to PEI), but after reading your posts, I’m thinking of maybe trying to visit some parts of NB and NS now. Areas I haven’t been to, not sure the budget will allow, but I think I’ll try! Why not?
Today I’m seeing mostly chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, titmice, wren and crows. I’ve only seen a few robin, but there should be more once the snow is gone and the worms are for the pickin’. The ducks are back at the pond as of this morning and I saw some Canada Geese last week. LOVE wildlife!
Steven, I hope you can get out soon. It does the heart and soul a lot of good to breathe in the fresh air! Plus there are no bugs as of yet…did I just jinx myself?
Julie K.
Apr 2nd, 2009
I can’t wait to get out of the rat race. My civil service job is so satisfying and invigorating…….not! We used to live in a farmhouse in Ontario with an enclosed sun porch. I used to love to sit there on a winter weekend with a cup of coffee and just relax and look around our lovely yard and countryside. We are living in the country here in Alberta but the only time I take to reflect is during our very short summers when I can sit outside. Then my biggest worry is usually if the mosquito that just bit me has west nile :)
Have had a wild rabbit come to our bird feeder for the past 2 winters and I always race to the window to watch him. There were 3 but I think the coyotes got 2 of them unfortunately. He is pretty brave and knows when the dogs are on their cable and can’t chase him. He seems fine with me walking by him when I leave for work too. We do catch the odd glimpse of him in the summer when he comes out of hiding for some fresh clover on the lawn.
Julie K.
Apr 2nd, 2009
Forgot to ask this – I want to know where that bridge is too! Is it at your place?
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Apr 2nd, 2009
@Steven, Rain and I implore you to step outside and report back to the group!
@Rain – Sounds lovely. Although I am not bird-wise enough to be able to picture them all, I can picture most. :) I do hope you get to visit the other provinces while you’re traveling. We still haven’t been to NS yet. Cameron hasn’t left the island in over the year and I’ve only left once (to fly back to BC). But…you might be too excited to get to PEI take in too much?
@Julie – Sounds like some lovely times peering out into the wilderness with a cuppa something by your side. Wild rabbits are so cute. I’ve never seen any rabbits here on PEI. Are there any, I wonder? Re: the bridge, oops, I am not the most thorough of readers, am I? Julie, you of all people will be PLEASED to know that the photo was taking at the Harvey Moore Bird Sanctuary! It’s a lovely spot, and that bridge is part of the walk around the lake. We attempted to walk around it on the sunniest day we’ve had lately. Silly us didn’t realize that most of the trails had too much snow to be able to walk on. Reason #21043 why we need to get snowshoes..lol. Let this be a lesson to all. Snowshoes and tractors are important here on PEI.
Gary Gray
Apr 3rd, 2009
Hi L-J
I’m late, I’m late the rabbit said! Yes Laura-Jane there are rabbits here on P.E.I. In fact I know a person who saw one just last week. (still all white) Sometimes I see them here where I live hopping under the trees along Harmony Lane.
Saturday I took some time to stop and think. At the Union Road end of the MacDonald Road (facing West of course)I just sat in the truck and watched the sun set. 7:36 p. m. (a beautiful huge red ball sinking below the Western horizon with a distant spruce tree being silhouetted as it went) Then I went and got a cupa tea and got ready to sky watch between 8:30 and 9:30 (it was a beautiful night with a fingernail moon hanging on a sheet of black velvet sky studded with diamond like stars)
It was Earth Hour and so some lights that would normally be on were turned out making it much easier to get a better view.
Since my stroke seven years ago (this August) I have learned that it is very important to stop and think. (or walk and look and think) It is amazing what you do see when you take the time to look and think.
Reminds me of a poem by Pauline Johnston titled “The song my Paddle Sings”
THE SONG MY PADDLE SINGS
Johnson, E. Pauline
West wind, blow from your prairie nest
Blow from the mountains, blow from the west.
The sail is idle, the sailor too;
O! wind of the west, we wait for you.
Blow, blow!
I have wooed you so,
But never a favour you bestow.
You rock your cradle the hills between,
But scorn to notice my white lateen.
I stow the sail, unship the mast:
I wooed you long but my wooing’s past;
My paddle will lull you into rest.
O! drowsy wind of the drowsy west,
Sleep, sleep,
By your mountain steep,
Or down where the prairie grasses sweep!
Now fold in slumber your laggard wings,
For soft is the song my paddle sings.
August is laughing across the sky,
Laughing while paddle, canoe and I,
Drift, drift,
Where the hills uplift
On either side of the current swift.
The river rolls in its rocky bed;
My paddle is plying its way ahead;
Dip, dip,
While the waters flip
In foam as over their breast we slip.
And oh, the river runs swifter now;
The eddies circle about my bow.
Swirl, swirl!
How the ripples curl
In many a dangerous pool awhirl!
And forward far the rapids roar,
Fretting their margin for evermore.
Dash, dash,
With a mighty crash,
They seethe, and boil, and bound, and splash.
Be strong, O paddle! be brave, canoe!
The reckless waves you must plunge into.
Reel, reel.
On your trembling keel,
But never a fear my craft will feel.
We’ve raced the rapid, we’re far ahead!
The river slips through its silent bed.
Sway, sway,
As the bubbles spray
And fall in tinkling tunes away.
And up on the hills against the sky,
A fir tree rocking its lullaby,
Swings, swings,
Its emerald wings,
Swelling the song that my paddle sings.
Andy Collier
Apr 3rd, 2009
I think a lot on the morning drive in to Charlottetown if it`s not my turn to drive, and on the nights I come home from the house and the stars are out I usually stop and contemplate the universe a little!
You`ve not been to NS yet?? You should go just to hang out in Halifax, it may be a small city but I think it’s one of the coolest!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Apr 3rd, 2009
@Gary – That sounds very, very, very healthy Gary. I love dusk, too, when the sky is getting dark and the sun is setting. Love this sentence, Gary: “it was a beautiful night with a fingernail moon hanging on a sheet of black velvet sky studded with diamond like stars.” Lovely poem by Pauline Johnson; it touched me. (I am starting to get into poetry more since joining the Writers’ Guild. )
@Andy – Do you carpool, or do you drive in with Laine? Oh, wait. Can we still call it a carpool if it involves one’s spouse? Oh, at night when the stars are out–that’s a lovely time to contemplate.
Nora
Apr 3rd, 2009
We have a huge family of bunnies that have made there home in the trees between my house and my Mom’s……..she has a house on the corner of our property…….I think its probably the safest spot since the coyotes don’t come near the house. Each year there are probably 5 to 6 of them……..I will have to do something to keep them out of my garden this year though…..they ate all my plants before there were even vegetables on them. On nights when the bugs aren’t to bad we sit out on the front porch and look at the stars…….I usually put in ear plugs lay on my bed in my room with the door shut to think…. with 3 kids in the house its usually the only time I can. We built a bridge on our property to make it easier to get to my Moms but its not as beautiful as the one in the picture. But your right we all should carve out some time each day to dream.
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Apr 3rd, 2009
What?? Why does everyone have bunnies except us?? I want bunnies! I am jealous. I am “stopping and thinking” about how much I desire wild bunnies, lol. Although, Nora, you’re right about the vegetable garden factor, perhaps I should count my lucky stars that there are no bunnies around these parts. Ear plugs are good. We bought an industrial sized box of them on eBay once; we still have a bunch. I use them a lot when I’m trying to do work because I’m easily distracted.
Julie K.
Apr 3rd, 2009
I am pleased to hear there are rabbits there too! Hope I can lure some to our bird feeder there once we move (which will be a long 3 year wait – sigh….)
That is great news about the bridge! Can’t wait to walk the trail!
My husband has some snow shoes. I am thinking I will need some too. Especially for snowy winters like the one you have had this year.
Have always loved Pauline Johnsons’ poetry.
When we went on holiday last June the damn prairie dogs climbed into all my tubs/planters of flowers and ate them all! They got so bold that when I got up in the morning and went outside they were back in them all eating again. There must have been a dozen or more. I had to let the cats out to get them out of the part of the yard closest to the house. (they are actually Graysons’ ground squirrels but everyone here calls them prairie dogs) Oh and one of our dogs goes nuts if she sees one digging when she is looking out the livingroom window. She actually dug up the baseboard, carpeting, underlay and some tiles to try and dig out under the door! If anyone needs a garden roto-tilled in the spring we are willing to loan her out :)
Nora
Apr 3rd, 2009
Okay I guess I shouldn’t tell you that we also have quail and pheasants, chipmunks, flying squirrels, woodpeckers, cardinals, bluejays or course raccoons…….doves, pigeons (who are very messy by the way) and the occasional coyote out at the end of our property …….. and every once in a while we will have a snowy owl and the occasional eagle land in the yard. Our pergola is a nice landing spot.
Julie K.
Apr 3rd, 2009
We have chickadees, quail, woodpeckers, woodpeckers, bluejays and hummingbirds in the summer. Had two coyotes sleeping in our pole barn occasionally. They raked some straw off a big round bale and we found the curled up impressions in their new warm beds! We get the odd owl and unfortunately the very messy pigeons. Deer too with an occasional moose! The wildlife is probably my favorite reason for country living. That and the quiet.
Andrea
Apr 3rd, 2009
“Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week.”
- George Bernard Shaw
Julie K.
Apr 3rd, 2009
Great quote Andrea! I fear he is right LOL
Vicki
Apr 3rd, 2009
Cam always was a great thinker! He was born a thinker! . I remember when he was 10 mo old at his first swimming lessons. No he didn’t swim, he’d sit & think!! Then there was his favourite thinking spot. Remember Cam? Down at Rathrevor Beach? Of course there is more but maybe I’d be telling too much.
Gary Gray
Apr 4th, 2009
Hi again L-J
Did you know that there is a school of thinking?
http://www.schoolofthinking.org/
Thanks for your kind comments above.
Smiles :o)
Gary
Naomi
Apr 6th, 2009
I’ve been thinking about bunnies lately. We have one, but are considering getting another….but then who knows how many we’ll have! What is stopping me? Sometimes it’s easier just to think and not do. Stopping and thinking is great as long as you also add doing (or not doing if that was what the stopping and thinking inspired). This post has also reminded me to go buy some bird seed! The birds make me happy! You are always inspiring Laura-Jane! xoxo
Andy Collier
Apr 6th, 2009
I carpool with my brother-in-law, Laine is still on maternity leave so she doesn’t come with us but she did before Izmo was born. A couple we are friends with just bought a home in the neighbourhood we are going to add to our carpool soon too!
warren
Apr 7th, 2009
I use my blog as my stop and think time also. Sadly, the drivel that usually comes out is a real reflection of my thoughts! Anyhow, it gives me a chance to think about something. So many times in winters prior, I have suffered through with nothing to do (if that makes any sense). I always hated winters and they made me stir crazy. This winter is my first blogging winter and it has been wonderful. It gives me something about which to think and has made it very pleasant!