Forgetting that the clock even exists

"In order to keep a semblance of serenity during the days of our lives, we also need to discover time's twin nature, which the ancient Greeks called chronos and kairos." - Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

As you know, lately I've been striving to slow down, unplug, and engage my brain in activities which allow me to forget that the clock even exists.

This year, I've been reading the updated edition of Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life a book that initially took the world by storm in 1995 when it was first published, and which helped shape my days when I was a young wife, mother, and teacher.

Now, 30 years later, the new version resonates just as much and meets me where I am now. This week's reading was especially apt, as I've been working on being fully in the moment.

October 12th's entry continues the quote at the top of this blog with, "Chronos is clocks, deadlines, watches, calendars, agendas, schedules. Chronos is time at her worst.... Chronos is the world's time."

Kairos, on the other hand, "is transcendence, infinity, reverence, joy.... Kairos is time at her best. Kairos lets go.... We exist in chronos. We long for kairos."

Mindfulness. Being absorbed. Turning off the TV and the notifications. Turning on classical music. Letting your mind wander. Sketching, painting. Just like when we were children.

I spent a few hours last week doing just that in my home studio.

I've started creating again. And it feels lovely!

Another way that I get joy while unplugging is to do something called art journaling, in which I use magazine cuttings and pieces of things like notecards, postcards, etc.

This ephemera, along with drawing, writing, and painting enables me to capture my dreams and preferences in a real, tangible way. (Think Pinterest, only more personal ~ and non-digital!)