loneliness Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Blip

All week I struggled to keep track of what day it was. As I sit here this evening, I’m still wrestling with it. Is tomorrow Saturday? Or Thursday? It almost feels like it was just Tuesday a moment ago and then – blip – here we are. Friday night. Part of my struggle, I know, stems from indulging my inner sloth.

I feel constrained to admit that, no, we did not take a walk today. Both of us were engaged in our usual responsibilities throughout the day as bright sunshine tried vainly but valiantly to persuade us that it wasn’t so bad out. Once the sun went down, though, the die was cast for sure. Neither Karl nor I even tried to muster the necessary ‘evening oomph’ we needed to goad, cajole, or otherwise entice the other to ‘strap up the hound’ and walk.

In fact, when I checked my weather app and saw that the wind chill was 9 degrees that sealed the deal. I knew one thing for sure: Wolf Moon or not, I was going to take a hard pass on walking under that cold-hearted orb that rules the night. (Ht to The Moody Blues; wink wink.)

Ah Yes

Of course, in searching for a link to give you to the above-referenced Days of Future Passed album, I started playing it in the background. Now I’m transported to my days as a 17 year old exchange student in Sweden. I remember one evening in particular. It was winter – probably a January night far colder than tonight – and I had the unique chance to listen to a friend’s album collection. They were away at college and I was able to just be by myself and listen deeply, feeling the feelings.

For whatever reason, I played this one over and over again. Perhaps it reminded me of a certain person I’d left back in the States, but maybe it also was a balm to my soul just listen to English and the poetry of the lyrics that spoke to my young heart.

The Moody Blues and Super Tramp. Those two groups made an indelible impression on me that year. They still do. I’m transported, just listening right now…

“Just what you want to be, you’ll be in the end.”

(T-301)

Photo: L. Weikel

Digesting the Day

We didn’t get a chance to take a walk today. I regret that, but by the time we got home it just felt too late. We were tired.

Which is pretty much the reason why we should’ve dug down deep and at least one or the other of us insisted that we do so. Precisely because we were so tired, we should have made a point of hauling our carcasses outside and marching our behinds up the road.

Emotional Weariness

Yeah, we were a little tired from the drive to and fro. But honestly, it was a gorgeous day outside, with only the occasional sprinkle from an errant dark cloud blowing through. Two and a half hours each way is not that significant an investment in love and family.

No, the weariness was emotional. That’s usually the most devastating. But interestingly, it’s also, in my experience, the most susceptible to reinvigoration by an immersion in nature. So it is a pity that, in spite of knowing this, I did not insist.

No. In many ways I betrayed my knowing – my knowledge of the secrets surrounding walking and listening to nature and the need for both in order to recover from toxic disconnection.

Toxic Disconnection

This concept is probably at the root of the vast majority of unhappiness, fear, rage, and disappointment we see in the world. And by it, I’m referring to the tendency of so many in our lives, in our families, and in our social circles to speak to the matter of loneliness or isolation with more of the same.

Why is it that so often we humans run away at full speed from the concepts and practices that would keep us connected? Connected to ourselves, to each other, and to the land.

I’m sure I don’t know. Is human nature simply contrary?

Loneliness

One definition of loneliness (via dictionary.com) is: “destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support.” There’s a ton of loneliness in the world. There’s an untold number of people who feel cut off from, or deliberately make a point of cutting themselves off from other people and the support they could easily receive if they gave themselves permission.

I think the worst part of witnessing loneliness is the realization that the antidote is right in front of most who suffer from it. They may rebuff gestures of outreach from other humans, both related and not. And that’s a pity. But the greatest violence they do to their hearts and spirits is refusing to accept the love and connection that abounds around all of us if we just open our eyes, ears, and hearts – in particular, the love from Mother Earth and her many expressions.

I’m close to falling asleep. This digestion needs further contemplation.

A Simple Message

But I will leave with this short video clip. Six minutes or so that may start your day off in an attitude that will get you – and keep you – connected to what’s important.

Have a great day and know it is all so much simpler than what we’re told or believe.