Rechargeable Batteries

 

"Therapy to life: Eat with the wise, and drink with the fools!"

- Anthony Liccione

 

It says something about our culture, something rather sad, when people make themselves ill from stress from trying to relax.   

Trying to find ways to relax shouldn't be difficult, yet we spend thousands of dollars every year to be entertained.  By some estimates the average American spends $2,800 dollars a year on entertainment. Although I've know avid golfers who spend that much on monogrammed balls. 

Maybe we're a bit confused as to what "relax" means.  Like so many aspects of life in America we are assaulted by media telling us what to do, and worse yet, what to think.  We seem unable to filter the onslaught, to keep the information that benefits us, and reject the bold faced attempts to separate us from our money.

Do you need to spend money on a new pair of "yoga pants", and more money on a "yoga mat", and more money on "yoga music", and more money on a "yoga book", in order to achieve enlightenment?  Or even a nice nap?  

Certainly I would not suggest that you give away your possessions, quit your job, climb to the top of a mountain, and spend the rest of your days in meditation. Yet I also know you shouldn't have to take out a second mortgage to find a little peace in your life.

So where is the balance?  How do you find the way to recharge your emotional and spiritual batteries without giving yourself a stress induced ulcer in the process?

First and foremost keep this in mind.  The goal in relaxing is relaxation.  If what you are doing to relax is causing you stress, do this:

STOP DOING IT!

Okay, are we clear on that point?  Nothing complex, no deep philosophical revelations here.  What you see is what you get.

Do all your buddies swear that golf is the most relaxing sport in the universe, that it will help you unwind after a long week at work?  Do you hate the sport?  Do you look horrible in those funny shorts?

STOP DOING IT!

Good, now let's move on to more of a positive view of things.

While it is important to, as I mentioned, stop doing things that you don't enjoy it is also important to be open to trying new things.  Don't let anyone else's opinion sway you.  You are on a sacred journey to find your 'spiritual charger.'  What works or does not work for other people is not relevant. 

Are you a man who has thought knitting may be a great way to relax, and would like to make some really cool beer cozies?  But your friends all tell you it's too girlie?  Say that to former football player and two time Pro Bowler Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier.

Keep this in mind.  Even if you don't like what you tried perhaps it will get you one step closer to what you're really looking for.  As the Rolling Stones song says, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."

In my case the desire to get some exercise and relaxation started me walking, which started my interest in photography, which is how I met my wife, who talked me into doing this blog.  So, if I hadn't decided to give walking as a way to relax a try we wouldn't be spending this time together.

As I mentioned earlier, it shouldn't cost you a lot of money to give something a try.  That doesn't mean you can't pour oodles of cash into a hobby once you've made it your primary reason for living. 

You can start out trying your hand at photography using a point-and-shoot camera costing less than a hundred dollars.  Then as time goes by you can prioritize your money to get that new DSLR camera, or the strobe lighting, or the 1000mm zoom lens.  But it won't be stressful because you'll know what you are getting, how important it is to what you do, and how to properly prioritize.

That $500 set of golf clubs that was used twice and now sits in the garage: stressful.  That $3,000 camera that gets used every day and brings one happiness: relaxing.

So always keep in mind, recharging your own batteries can start with something as simple as taking a deep breath and allowing yourself a few minutes of the ultimate luxuries in our modern world:

 

Peace, stillness, quiet.