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Time Out

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Yesterday was an amazing day in San Diego -- a county-wide power outage which shut down our thriving metropolis. I was "fortunate enough" to be a long way from home in North County in paralyzed traffic but with no urgent need to get anywhere. Not being very tolerant of traffic, I pulled off and stopped at a local park in Vista. Amidst the full-fledged craziness on the road and all over the county, I spent 4 hours in a quiet park in the shade under a tree. I met a really nice guy (Raymond) who found refuge from the craziness at the same spot. We talked for several hours and while he has a very different life from me, we connected in a real way. After the the sun had set, I ventured home amidst minimal traffic. The world was "eerily quiet" on my arrival home and Grace was already asleep.

The quiet and the radical change from everyday life was powerful for me. It made me reflect in a way I don't usually do effectively and made life seem clearer. The "forced quiet" made me remember who I am and why I am here and appreciate both. I am really glad I chose to get out of the craziness and take a time out.

Today, life seems a little different; a little less frenetic and a bit brighter. It is such an amazing life and I forget this truth way too often. The power went out and took with it my "monkey mind" for a brief and very rejuvenating moment.

Comments

Michael McCafferty said…
I experienced the power failure in a different way. After learning that the power wouldn't be coming back on right away, and may be out for a day or two, the first real thought was "What am I going to do for coffee in the morning?"

In moments of crisis, the mind focuses on the truly essential.
September 9, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Katie Kobayashi said…
Star gazing personified...maybe it was a gift in disquise.
September 11, 2011 at 8:54 AM
Anonymous said…
Thank you for sharing your experience and insight during the power outage.
For me, the power outage was truly a gift. After fighting traffic to get home, I sat alone on my front porch and as light turned to dark, I watched entire families peacefully walking down my quiet, dark street, a street which is normally overwhelmed with noise and traffic. Although I did not have a flashlight nor food at hand, somehow a calm came over me and I was at total peace, a rarity for someone like me. It was back to basics, the way it was intended.
September 11, 2011 at 2:24 PM
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