Our world is amazing, startling, wonderful - and shrinking every day. I just looked at my visitor map from StatCounter.com. I've recently had visitors from Australia, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Benin, Brazil, and Moldova. And, those are just the exotic locations. How amazing that being connected to people from all over Europe would feel normal. Most of us could hardly imagine such a thing even ten years ago.
I love technology. Email allows us to be in touch in seconds. Cell phones can make us always available. Cameras gives us the chance to capture every moment. Blogs connect us with individuals a world away.
And yet. Email can be like a ticking clock; counting all the days that have passed while I still haven't responded to a friend's email. Cell phones ring at unfortunate times. Whatever the ring tone, it always seems to say, "Me. Pay attention to me." My camera is one of my favorite possessions. It brings me great joy. But, sometimes I catch myself missing out on the moments of living because I am busy trying to capture those moments and save them for later. Blogs, as much as I love them, seem to carry with them their own sense of obligation. Comments to write. New friends to meet. Old friends to visit. Oh, shoot! I haven't posted for four days!
Please don't misunderstand me. I adore technology. I am a big, BIG fan. But access to all of this wonderful technology does carry a price. I would never dream of giving up my cell phone, email, or camera. And my blog? I think I'll be doing this many years from now. I don't want to give up technology any more than I want to give up my job. It's just that some days I want to yell, "Stop the world! I want to get off!" Just for an hour. Remember that old Calgon commercial? I get it now. I really do.
Some days, all a woman really needs is a nice, hot bath. Of course, there are other ways to escape for an hour. Here are some ideas for you.
take a long, hot soak 
pile up in bed and read a terrific book drive to the mall, head to the food court, people watch
browse an inspiring magazine bake a pie
browse your favorite blogs, leave a comment make a new playlist
buy a new pack of crayons and a coloring book, for yourself, use themwrite a list about all the things you love about you, hang it in your closet or your bathroom
call an old friend, have a chat the old fashioned way take yourself out on a date with an ice cream sundae
go to the park alone and swingeat a salad for dinner, enjoy the last of the summer tomatoes
drive to your favorite old-fashioned neighborhood and take a walk watch this, laugh and laugh
So, how do you spend your Calgon moments? What takes you away?
Happy weekend, my friends. I hope you will find at least one hour for yourself this weekend. And that you will use it for your own Calgon moment.
These images were borrowed from some wonderful photographers. You can find out more about them by clicking each name. They are listed in order of photograph from top of the post to the bottom. Wallpaper.net, jgcf, persisting stars, Selvedge magazine, moredoors blog, greekchickie, neonlike, mpx1979, and me.
11 comments:
That exact magazine sits on my night stand. I love, love this post, friend.
I love the weather these days- cool at night. I am savoring more books and loving the vegetables, especially the squash family.
I have to say that I watched the movie Anna and The King last night with all the windows in my room open.
Bliss~
Hi Relyn! I loved this post! No calgon moments or hours for me yet...maybe tomorrow after the school stuff is done. Love the pics- favorite one is the doorway! Enjoy your weekend!
Patti
Aaa, this is a beautiful post, I am glad to see that I am not the only 'adult' who has crayons and a colouring book. :)
I love all of your postings.
Fabulous
Here's a toast to sweet wonderful you.
Love Jeanne
I spent and evening with good friends last night...started by going to the exotic Korean Market and buying all sorts of wonderful yummy things...cooking together and just hanging out at the dinner table for hours...so nice.
Lately, my solitary moments consist of editing my photographs...I love to get lost in the photos an see where my creative side takes me...that is blissful!
I have to say it's that good book in bed after a hot bath that takes me right away. All snuggled with a hot cup of tea. That is my favorite way to spend a cool fall sunday night. I'm hoping you are having a great weekend!
this post kind of threw me...calgon moments...i don't know how i am getting them these days....i know i need them on a regular basis. the way i leave this ordinary world changes for me depending upon...well... the season for one, or the interests i have at the time, or my mood.
one universal thing i do always is to have an audio book going in my car at all times. it is often a harry potter book but has been things like Time Traveler's Wife, Master and Commander, Year Of Wonders. hardly ever music. i get lost in the books and feel very happy and relaxed.
good! you've reminded me to go and visit beth ;)
XOX
I feel exactly the same way you do about technology. I love how it connects this ever shrinking world, but I so understand the price we pay. I refuse to get a cell phone...I think I am the only one left in the world that doesn't have one!
These *time out* ideas are wonderful! I will add a few of them to my list of comforts.
Lots of love
xoxo
Lovely suggestions that of course come from your compassionate and motherly heart.
We get so wrapped up in our busy-ness that we don't realize it for ages.
Thanks for the reminder to slow it down.
what a fantastic list. and you found such lovely photos to go along with it. i find myself doing more and more of these things lately ~ something about preparing for the biggest change in your life has me wanting to slow way down. hopefully that's a good sign! :o) xxoo ~ anj
You are an ace dreamer, Relyn! I do hope that you take a huge dose of your own advice. I love choosing flowers and then figuring out how they manage to arrange themselves.
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