Shut everything off and listen.

It’s not often that I’m not listening to something at home or in the car. Usually music in my house and podcasts in my car.

The other day, I was painting the closets in my daughter's new home when my phone ran out of battery. I had to charge it in my car, which meant it was far away from me.

I had a thought that this is what the early painters worked with-silence, only thinking about the next thing they were going to paint, and allowing their brain the creative space to do this.

While I was just painting white, it was still very meditative. The brush stroke side to side and up and down, and trying to cover every last detail of the color before.

I had nothing to listen to except my breath, my thoughts, my next musing:)

It got me thinking.

Maybe I can spend a little more time without earbuds and a little quieter time in the car, and see what happens with more space and less work for my brain. 

If you find you need more space in your brain, as I do, perhaps give yourself time to pause and breathe. Take two to 20 minutes to work on a couple of great breathing options.

Box breath - 4 count inhale-4 count pause-4 count exhale-4 count pause.

4-6-8 breath - 4 count inhale-6 count pause-8 count exhale.

May you take a few moments of your day to shut everything off, breathe, and allow space in your brain by listening.