Life can get heavy. People carry a lot. We’re carrying even more these days. The world is stressed out. Life moves fast and we often wear our busyness as some kind of badge of honor.
I feel kind of like I’ve been running a marathon since January when I made the decision to move my office, and build a new sound healing practice. I am LOVING it, AND it involves a LOT of doing. I kept pushing myself to just do the next piece, take the next step, complete the next task and THEN I can relax.
No wonder I was exhausted.
So when we arrived in Kona, I made the decision to wear my idleness as a badge of honor. I chose to give myself the gift of deep relaxation. I prioritized rest, self-reflection, and being fully present. It felt unfamiliar and delicious, like indulging in a mysterious tropical forbidden fruit.
On our first trip to the Big Island in 2013, my greatest desire was to see the lava flowing from Kilauea. We have been to the island three other times and not once did we get a chance to see the spectacle in person.
A week ago, Kilauea erupted with lava fountaining for over nine hours. Instead of making the drive across the island, I stayed on the couch and enjoyed a great book. I wrote in my journal. We walked to the beach, strolled through art galleries, and enjoyed sunsets the shade of ripe lilikoi.
Maybe rest is the real forbidden fruit after all. If the modern world wants us to believe that rest is a forbidden delight that must be earned, I’m ready to say, “fuck that.”
What would happen if we allow ourselves to stop striving long enough to simply be here? To rest without earning it first. To watch the sunset. To take the nap. To leave something undone. To trust that the world will keep spinning even when we pause.
I’ll tell you what happens. We feel rested, relaxed, and ready to spend more time resting for no reason at all.
If your nervous system has been asking for a little more softness lately, consider this your invitation to indulge in forbidden fruit.
And if you’re craving a space to fully exhale, melt into stillness, and let your body remember what deep rest feels like, I’d love to share that vibe with you at an upcoming sound bath.
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