Monday, August 8, 2011

still...

There are so many reasons why we set off on this road trip. Personal reasons, business reasons, seasonal reasons, family reasons and because we could.

One month into it I have realised that there has been an unexpected and totally surprising outcome already.

Stillness.

For the first time that I can ever remember I am living completely in the moment. I am not planning, replaying or stressing. I am not rushing. I feel really clear and calm. The head chatter that usually keeps me company has disappeared.

Bliss.

I wonder if it is possible to hold on to this feeling at home. I wonder if it is possible to simplify my life to such an extent that we live in the today.

I'm going to spend the next few months thinking about that.

Bren and the girls have gone to meet friends at the Katherine hot springs. I'm off to join them now.

Happy adventuring.

See ya!

33 comments:

  1. Stillness is a gift, to be cherished and enjoyed. I practice mindfullness, I find it helps :) You are on a journey to more than just places on a map and it is a privilege to share it with you, thank you :D

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  2. How wonderful to have found stillness. Like Annie above, I find mindfulness incredibly useful, but I find it difficult to do, and difficult to practice. I am trying to get better, because it is a wonderful feeling. Beautiful photo too!

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  3. Beautiful post Kate. It can be so hard to be mindful in the everyday. I hope you find a way to bring this home with you.

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  4. I've learned to slow down this year. It's a hard lesson to learn, but rewarding once you actually learn to make the most of it.
    Some of my favourite times now are my weekly afternoons hanging, crafting and baking with a dear friend. Not many single 30 somethings can boast of that.
    I hope I always have time each week to simply "be".
    And I hope that you can take your stillness home too. It's amazing what we realise we don't need in terms of creature comforts when we learn to be content being still.

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  5. There is a lot of discussion in our house about when we might go on such a holiday! You've inspired us and my husband who thinks blogs are a load of shite asks every day if there is another post! Thanks for sharing

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  6. I've tried to keep that feeling after my last 2 mini holidays, without much success. If you do find the way please share it with us.

    I'm really enjoying following your journey, your insights and honest have been great. Thanks so much for sharing this journey with us.

    cheers Kate

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  7. Hey Kate, Very envious of you guys, I'll have to live vicariously through all your travels at the moment! I am sure you will be able to continue with the stillness and clarity when you get back, you will just have a new sense of the 'normal' life you want, and I think it is very attainable. Go the slow! I try and live a bit like that, and once you can deal with the guilt trip of not being in a hectic state all the time, it is really a great way to be present in each moment and not miss out on your life rushing by. Have a great spa! Julie :)

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  8. I think part of the hardness of switching off , as well as being a mum, is having a business you run from home. I find that I can do it best when we are on holidays but I have found that I can do it at home for one hour. I just try to do it for one hour a day. Sometimes I can.

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  9. That is the most reassuring thing I have heard in years Kate! You're living proof I will be sain again one day!!!!

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  10. Of course you can....You were just out of practice!!

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  11. Sounds like a great goal to have once you are home.

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  12. Kate that sounds wonderful! I am constantly trying to still and slow down the rush. time just seems to be getting faster and faster, its a real challenge to live in the moment especially when you come back home. I sometimes wish I lived years and years ago before we became so modern :-) Cherish the moments....

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  13. Ahhhhhhhhhh

    Beautiful. Keep the van. When your head starts spinning at home go out and spend the night in it!

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  14. Aahhhh, the monkey chatter? You get that too? I am glad to know your's has departed.... maybe we need to take off! Love to you xx Rach

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  15. Oh, Kate, how blissful indeed! I can't even imagine feeling like that. You lucky, lucky girl. Keep enjoying every second, Sweetie. J x

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  16. WOnderful Post Kate.
    to be at peace with yourself and have a still mind is a wonderful and I'm so happy you've found it here.
    As someone who sturggles with a chatterbox head big time, it is something I yearn for and try to achieve alot of the time.
    I hope you find a way to bring it home ( and maybe teach me?;) and I have a feeling you will.
    And isn't great when there are wonderful unexpected outcomes xoo
    PS I think this means I really really need to plan that trip xo

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  17. I love it! We should all be fortunate enough to live in the moment and savor stillness.

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  18. I love this so much Kate. The 'letting go' moment you've described has me longing for the same :) I guess it is a special way of being and we can't expect it all the time but it's so wonderful to read that it happens and I'm so happy it's happened for you :) Kx

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  19. Enjoy your bliss, sounds wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it all with us. melx

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  20. Ooh yes Kate. All that head chatter! Aaarrrggghh! I totally get it, definitely.
    Feeling quite envious of your stillness and getting away from your norm.
    This is something dh and I have dreamed of experiencing, if it weren't for our gorgeous 3 kitties. 2 being ex feral/wild, catteries and someone coming in are not options open to us at the mo.
    I've just read back on a lot of posts that I've missed.....drink in all the good, bad, indifferent, ugly and just plain beautiful, coz I'm sure it will all come in handy somewhere down the track, to help enrich your life and decisions on your life journey.
    Have a fabulous time!! xoxo

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  21. At various moments through the day, I am aware of just being and start to notice what is surrounding me. It's great to be content, to realise that at this moment I don't need anything, I am not hungry, thirsty, I am safe and comfortable and aware..and joy just appears.

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  22. Often you have to be away from your every day life in order to look at it differently. It is hard to be still, especially when you have creative, business community and family stuff that needs doing. I hope that while you are away you can devise some cunning strategies to help simplify life when you get home. Live in the moment and the moment will live in your memory. Enjoy!
    Miss G

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  23. Stillness...that sounds like complete and utter bliss! Maybe you could bottle it up and send some my way :)

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  24. [I wonder if it is possible to simplify my life to such an extent that we live in the today.]

    You seem to be on the right track. Wish I could do it. I want less clutter in my life. The hardest thing to do is simplify.

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  25. It is always amazing to physically be in a quiet place, but to be in an emotionally quiet place is very special.
    Enjoy the calm.
    Xx

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  26. Kate I am loving your caravan adventure posts. Thank you! Stillness. Sounds awesome.

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  27. i love it. your unexpected outcome is totally my reason for deciding to do it. enjoy the peace and tranquility. take vivd mental images of the very special bits, burn them into your brain, take them home at the end and on the crazy days let your mind transport you back. it totally works

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  28. this sounds heavenly Kate, good for you! Enjoy the stillness & the living in the moment, what a gift..I just might apply myself to that a go, sounds nice...

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  29. Love it, this is totally how i want to be living my LIFE, yes LIFE with 4 children in high school & a husband retired frome the Army & working part time where he pleases, on our little farm with the children in a beautiful school in the city, i can not wait. It might be animals instead of destinations but wow, unplanned, i love that feeling, even if it's only 25 out of 30 days, i'll be wrapped. Love Posie

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  30. Head chatter can be such a distraction... and for me such a cause of anxiety in itself.

    I feel so happy that you've found a quiet stillness. That you've found the moment. This moment. Brilliant.

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  31. Did you manage to hold onto the stillness or did life return to its crazy, normal, busy self? I'm very curious to know if your road trip changed any aspect of your life? Sonia

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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