Rhythm of Life
I am inspired this week to write about movement in a different way, having read @BethKempton’s Soul Circle prompt this last week which I subscribe to and an article on Substack on the same subject.
Ironically, to go deep into this word, I had to sit with it for a while and think about rhythm all around us, as a vibration on different levels/frequencies which encompasses so much of our everyday lives. Science tells us we are all made up of energy and we radiate a frequency which is reflected in our moods, thoughts and actions.
But what is rhythm in its fullest and most diverse expression? This week’s audio was recorded, just after a piano lesson and it was a focused hour of creating musical rhythm which is a work in progress for me. But rhythm isn’t just associated with music, is it? Here is my list of rhythms in all its various guises. See if you can think of any more.
- The rhythm of flow in uninterrupted work states where ideas flow and understanding grows. We work best when we enter this state. Kal Newport has written a book about it called ‘Deep Work.’ See my Library page.
- The rhythm of the wind flowing through trees horizontally, and vertically, whirling in circles and increasing and decreasing in speed is a fundamental part of our weather.
- The rhythm of change as we flow through one day to the next, creating new experiences, work, and pleasure and how we can quicken the pace or pause the note, depending on where we are in our lives.
- The rhythm of our heartbeat, the blood in our veins and arteries which keeps us alive and what we need to do to sustain optimum health.
- The rhythm of our walking pace, the sounds created from our steps around us, our ears listening to those sounds of nature.
- The rhythm of the song as we sing in choirs, collectively one voice in unison, taking part in something where we are one element of a bigger whole.
- The rhythm of a clock ticking down time as we move through the years. The little hand marks significant focal points, as the minute hand of our tiny actions and habits influences the main events of our existential being until we get to our midnight hour.
- The rhythm of the universe as stars are born and die in the sky, the ever-changing constellations, the moon cycles that observe Universal Laws.
- The rhythm of the seasons as we move through winter to spring, summer to autumn, celebrating the equinox, the turn of the calendar and nature’s wheel in a circular motion.
- The rhythm of writing as we create thoughts, stories and ideas on a page, the pen or laptop keys moving in tune with our mind.
Rhythm isn’t one thing in isolation but becomes part of other activities and my walk today showed me that spontaneity can equally flow with this force side by side.
This is what happened next:
! Having put my phone in my bag, I looked and saw some horses.
I remembered I had an apple in my bag and a tinge of excitement emerged knowing that the horse would like it.
I went up to the horse and spoke to this lovely animal, giving my apple which he/she gracefully took. There was an instant energy of connection. I felt it whilst hearing the crunch from their teeth against the apple’s flesh.
The other horses stirred and took an interest. I would need to come back with three carrots next time I thought. I started to take some photos as the horse drank the water.
As I photographed the scene, a fellow walker and photographer came up and seeing me taking pictures started to do the same.
I spoke and we had a brief chat for five minutes as the rhythm of the camera shutter clicked quietly in the background. He was round about my age and I didn’t want him to think I was chatting him up, so I moved on soon after:))
Having walked on I stopped at my favourite spot. I drank in the view, at peace with the world, thinking how I loved this view. I had taken a photo of some spring blossom that had caught my eye. It dazzled in the sunshine with its pure white foliage.
Another walker came along with his walking stick and it felt natural to strike up a greeting.
The elderly gentleman was a widower from a local town. He had lost his wife 18 months before and they both had loved this spot. I said I felt the same. For him It might have been the only conversation he would have for the day. I said I would look out for him as he walked regularly there.
I headed back towards the car and two more walkers with their dogs spoke remarking that the wind was still chilly. I then proceeded to go and see my friend. This all happened in less than 30 minutes.
My elderly friend who had had problems with her phone (now resolved) was glad to see me. I had a cup of tea. We exchanged concerns and updates.
One walk: one afternoon: One hour:
I had not planned any of it, apart from seeing my friend after piano. It had cost nothing, apart from some petrol but to me, this was an afternoon that saw rhythm and spontaneity in their fullest form. The frequency I was feeling was high, a real feeling of aliveness, and gratitude, drinking in the sunshine, the clear blue sky, against the white spring foliage. The birds were singing. This to me was living.
I couldn’t have been anywhere else that could have surpassed that moment. I was in the zone. I was happy. I was aligned with a vibration of a rhythm in time that felt good.
This is what walking does for me. I am much more in tune with life’s rhythms and am starting to feel its full force with quite transformative effects. I am less anxious and my need to tightly grip work, effort, control and figuring out every potential problem with a solution before it happens is lessening. Rhymn’s voice is saying slow down, don’t force, just trust, everything is going to be Ok. Just have faith that life’s timings are all as they are meant to me. All is well.
What do you feel when you walk?
What do you notice?
What are you thinking?
What does the rhythm of life mean to you?
I would love to know.
Until next week……
