Nudge Challenge Week 28 = Sit Still
NUDGED: "Go to a park for 30 minutes; sit, breathe, do nothing"
BACKSTORY: The idea for this nudge came from the creator of the nudges challenge, who completed this nudge as part of her project. I liked the idea of incorporating intentional quietness into my (somewhat) busy schedule, but I knew it would be a challenge for me too! Sitting still without anything for 30 minutes?! I honestly didn't know if I could do it!
QUOTES: "All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone," said Blaise Pascal. / "When we have learned to sit quietly in a room alone, we can maintain that inner connection that allows life to proceed from the inside out, whether we are alone or in a crowd of screaming people," said Arianna Huffington in "Thrive".
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: It took me two weeks to complete this nudge, double the normal time. I was at a conference for part of one week and had a busy schedule on the other days, then the weather didn't cooperate when I was available (late April snow!).
I did my best to make it happen. I sat on an empty bench at Falls Park one cold, windy, overcast Sunday afternoon. It was a struggle to stay out for 15 minutes. My eyes were watering with the cold. I was shivering and sitting on my hands to keep them warm. My spring jacket was not warm enough! I managed to stay 15 minutes, then promised I would get in another 15 minutes sometime this week (hopefully in better weather!).
As I anticipated, during my first "bench time", I missed having a book to read, paper to write down all my thoughts, and my cell phone to keep me entertained. I longed for a distraction. It was hard to sit alone, in silence. I felt self-conscious being alone. I spent my time people-watching, listening to a song playing non-stop in my head, and thinking/breathing.
I spent 20 minutes sitting on a bench alone at another park in town later in the week, and I am so glad I did! I went on Friday evening to the Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park. It was a busy week for me and my soul needed this quiet time of reflection. The weather was beautiful! I sat quietly watching the ducks and ripples in the water. I said a prayer then spent the rest of the time being quiet. I was reminded of vacations in the Caribbean and quiet evenings camping. My life felt more peaceful and balanced afterward.
LESSONS LEARNED:
BACKSTORY: The idea for this nudge came from the creator of the nudges challenge, who completed this nudge as part of her project. I liked the idea of incorporating intentional quietness into my (somewhat) busy schedule, but I knew it would be a challenge for me too! Sitting still without anything for 30 minutes?! I honestly didn't know if I could do it!
QUOTES: "All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone," said Blaise Pascal. / "When we have learned to sit quietly in a room alone, we can maintain that inner connection that allows life to proceed from the inside out, whether we are alone or in a crowd of screaming people," said Arianna Huffington in "Thrive".
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: It took me two weeks to complete this nudge, double the normal time. I was at a conference for part of one week and had a busy schedule on the other days, then the weather didn't cooperate when I was available (late April snow!).
I did my best to make it happen. I sat on an empty bench at Falls Park one cold, windy, overcast Sunday afternoon. It was a struggle to stay out for 15 minutes. My eyes were watering with the cold. I was shivering and sitting on my hands to keep them warm. My spring jacket was not warm enough! I managed to stay 15 minutes, then promised I would get in another 15 minutes sometime this week (hopefully in better weather!).
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| The bench at Falls Park on a cold day |
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| Oddly enough, this sculpture was near my thinking spot! |
I spent 20 minutes sitting on a bench alone at another park in town later in the week, and I am so glad I did! I went on Friday evening to the Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park. It was a busy week for me and my soul needed this quiet time of reflection. The weather was beautiful! I sat quietly watching the ducks and ripples in the water. I said a prayer then spent the rest of the time being quiet. I was reminded of vacations in the Caribbean and quiet evenings camping. My life felt more peaceful and balanced afterward.
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| View from bench #2 in Japanese Gardens, looking at Covell Lake |
LESSONS LEARNED:
- Sometimes my nudges are at the mercy of other factors I cannot control (weather, scheduling).
- The timing of doing some nudges is important. My two bench times were very different. I am glad I tried it again!
- It's okay to spend time with just my thoughts, not trying to do something all the time.
- I need more breathing space in my schedule, time to do nothing but sit and think. Reflection time is just as important as other scheduled activities, and should not be overlooked. I need it to find peace and make sense of this fast-paced crazy world.
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