I watched a special on John Lennon last night. John was talking about his time away from music, a time when he directed his energy toward raising his son, Sean. During this period, John said he did not pick up a guitar for five years.
In his words, sometimes you need to “breathe in before you can breathe out.”
I took his words to mean that if you are a creator, someone who shares their thoughts and feelings with the world in some shape or fashion, that every now and again, you need to go inward, to be quiet, and to just focus on replenishing your energy.
You need to allow yourself the space to just breathe in.
I found his words particularly timely as I find myself in a similar space lately.
Perhaps it’s the impending arrival of my son. Perhaps its the summer. Perhaps its because for the last several months I’ve been intently focused on writing my book (it’s finished!), planning, and preparing to completely re-launch and re-brand my business in the early fall.
During this time, I’ve continued to write, create, and take photographs. But I have not felt the desire to breathe out and share much with the world. It’s felt more natural to just be quiet for a while and to keep my thoughts to myself.
I share these thoughts here now simply because it feels good to share them. I still suspect I need another few weeks of breathing in.
The larger point is that I found hearing Mr. Lennon’s words gave me a kind of permission that I was looking for — that not only is it okay to withdraw from time to time, it’s necessary. It’s natural.
I offer this as simply a reminder, just in case you needed to hear it like I did.
So, breathe in.
The world will still be waiting for you when you are ready to exhale.
So, so, so excited for you and Karin. It’s such a wonderfully precious, peaceful, loving time in your lives as two become three. I remember thinking that I waited 43 years to have Jonas, I could downshift my energies to simply focus on him. so glad I did….didn’t want to be away from him. I’d have to say that the first year of his life, may have been my best year (so far).
Always thinking and reading about you. So happy for you Drew.
thanks, Mary Ann —
we are very excited, full of positive feelings… and am so happy to hear the happiness in your words! — warmest, drew
I read an article in the paper today about how many people will use a vacation to really amp up their exercise program, running many extra miles or working out extra hard. The article said that research shows that even highly tuned athletes can benefit from a period of complete relaxation, and that easing back is not only good for your mind and psyche, but good for your body, also.
It seems to me that we’ve become so “now, now, now” with things that we have trouble throttling back and coasting. Good for you to recognize that and allow yourself time to relax and be introspective. It allows you to open up to even more positive energy and all the good things in life!
Hugs to you and Karin!
Hey Duke–
Nice post…perfect timing for me too! Feeling the need to go inward these days. Waiting, with baited breath, the new arrival from across the rainbow bridge (see below). Such good stuff…”Golden” if you will. Peace and love to you and K.
Jebber
It is called the BIRTHDAY STORY and I have personally told it to both my children every birthday at their celebrations since they were born:
Once upon a time there was a little child named____________ who was still with the angles in heaven and he/she was very happy there. He looked at the beautiful colors and listened to the lovely music, and that was where he belonged. But one day the clouds parted in heaven and __________saw the beautiful blue earth below with all the people happily playing and working and he suddenly longed to go there and see what it was like. He saw all the pretty birds flying in the air and colourful fish swimming in the water, and little children climbing trees. It was all so beautiful!So he said to Big Angel, Please, may I go down to earth now? But Big Angel looked at him and said, “No, it is too soon. You must wait a little while yet”. So the child went and was happy and soon forgot about the earth. He worked in the house of the Sun, and the Moon and the Stars, cleaning and shining everything. Then one day again he saw a glimpse of the earth through the clouds again. He saw grown-ups doing their work. He saw bakers and teachers and artists and farmers. He saw mothers and fathers loving their children. Then he saw a beautiful mother with love and longing in her heart for a child and he asked Big Angel now, May I go to her? Big Angel smiled and said ‘Yes, it is your time. You may go and share your joy and purpose with all the world’ and Big Angel said ‘Give me your wings and I will hold them for you until you return”.That night the child went to sleep into dreamland and while nine moons waxed and waned he rocked in a little boat. And at the end of that time a beautiful rainbow bridge stretched from heaven to earth and on it came the child as a tiny baby and slid into his mother and fathers waiting arms. They looked in awe at this new life and said We shall call him/her ____________.” This lovely story has been passed down in one form or another from the Waldorf School, presumably based on the teachings and insights of its founder, Rudolph Steiner, who had brilliant insights in regards to agriculture, medicine, and child development. You can feel the reverence and sacred mood of this story and how it ignites the inner workings of a small child, planting the seeds of purpose.
@Jeb: thanks lovely, Jebber… will be reading it to you this week!
When you are giving birth you are in nesting mode, it isn’t a time for looking outward but inward toward what you need to nurture this baby and yourself through this time of danger and change. You are very busy with birthing right now Drew and it’s only natural that you’ll be experiencing these wonderful expectant pauses, drawing breath in and taking in the wonder of creation – be it a book or a person!
Drew,
Just today I was thinking that you had been so quiet lately…!
I cannot begin to tell you how eagerly I’m anticipating holding a copy of a book that reflects the best of you yet!
Love the Breathing In and I sure agree with the “permission granted” feeling.
Always thinking of you and Karin with love. You’re two amazing icons of well-being!
Hi Drew,
Love this idea of breathing in. Essential, I believe for all of us, but especially for the creative types, that tend to GIVE so much all the time. Add to that the role of “new parent,” and I think all your freshly stored oxygen will be a very useful stash.
Congratulations on finishing the book, and all the new branding strides. And, of course, just a few more weeks, and the biggest prize comes in. We’ll be thinking of you, and waiting to hear all the good news and profound insights that you care to share with us.
By the way, you have some talented squirrel friends, who play camera man for you while hiking solo. nice shot. Compliments to the animal photog! 🙂
Best!!
Debbie
@Debbie Grattan: twas not a squirrel, Debbie, but rather a dexterous chipmunk named Sam. he wanted his photo credit… 🙂