I apologize in advance for the times of silence on this blog. For quitting reading your posts. For just going quiet and seemingly disappearing into thin air. Poof! Just like that…gone.
This time, during the 75 day spiritual blogging commitment, I earnestly vowed not to do this again. NOT to disappear. To at least stay active reading and commenting on your blogs, because, truly, many of you have been faithful friends this past decade and beyond. And I love hearing what’s going on in your neck of the woods.
But vowing is one thing. Listening to what wants to happen is another. And what wants to happen in these times is silence. Quiet. Just being.
Engaging in blogging or social media feels like pulling teeth these days. And that’s an owie almost impossible to override.
Sometimes when folks disappear from our radar they’re sad or depressed or lonely. That’s not usually the case here. When I disappear there’s often a feeling of well-being, rightness, enjoyment. (Although, always, a commitment to tend to whatever challenging thoughts or beliefs or feelings that may rise within, to stay absolutely present to Life. To not back away from anything.)
It’s just impossible to reach out and engage in the same way with chatty words.
So, my dear and precious readers, please never think that silence means you are less loved. That you are are less admired. Less appreciated. I will try to read your blogs and maybe even comment, but only if the veil of silence drops away.
May your winter days serve you. May spring bring tiny wildflowers of joy. May summer find fingers deep in garden dirt or beach sand. May autumn allow the dropping away of what’s no longer needed.
May silence AND sharing sustain us all. Until words birth themselves again, tomorrow or in six months, Love, Kathy
Lake Superior Spirit 
Oh! Kathy, what you have I YEARN for – this ability to be still and in the middle of something VAST it seems – and just live there. And I love that I can trust that you follow your journey faithfully, that you never comment if you don’t feel up to it. I am so fed up with oughts and shoulds – so I am a big fan of you soaking in silence, and maybe just a little can rub off onto me. When II sat down for a 1/2 hour of silence, i felt actually bad – like drugged in a strange way. Still, something calls for me inside that Silence -so what if it feels yacky on the way into it – here I come too 🙂
Thank you SO much, Leelah. May all oughts and shoulds disappear as we learn to navigate these landscapes…. xoxo
Perfect timing because you popped into my mind yesterday and this morning. Even popped in to see if my reader doing its version of odd. Glad to know all is well and peaceful with you. Thanks for letting us know.
Frank, I was getting feelings that people might be wondering. And since you and I are new friends, you might not know about this coming and going. Blessings to you and your beautiful beach walks…
Correct … but at least I know now. 🙂
Silence can be so peaceful. I’m here at the lake without Katie or spouse. Had my siblings here over the weekend and that was nice, but also nice to have this space quiet again too.
Imagining the silence all around you down at the lake. I have paused by your pictures and blog post to look, but no words come out now. Thanks for being such a faithful friend over the years and enjoy your time down there.
Thanks for the update, Kathy. Sometimes, we all need space and time away from the world, which is spinning so fast these days that it’s easy to be discombobulated! Finding our center — and keeping focused on tranquility — can be challenging, but it’s a challenge worth taking. I’m glad to hear you’re okay (yes, when blogging buddies “disappear,” I tend to fret!). Take all the time you need to re-center and re-group; you’ve been through a marathon with that 75-day challenge, and what better time of year to hibernate than winter?!!
Oh, Debbie, so glad to have let you know. Would not want you to fret. Thank you for your good hibernation wishes, and many blessings to you and yours. ❤
I’ve “known” you long enough that this is what I figured. You were cuddling into your silence and your Being. What a gift! But, on the other hand, as I watch the weather on your part of the world (and I do, I do), I worry about your cold and your snow. Of course, what better time to hibernate with your Spirit? xo
Thank you, my friend, for understanding, and for knowing how it goes around here. You are SO right about how cold it is…brrrr!…but we stay warm with the wood stove. Hope you are warm and toasty in Spirit, too. ❤
I love periods of quiet. I often disengage from the Internet and TV. It’s good for the spirit. Sometimes, I even get a spurt of insight! Stay well and peaceful, Kathy. Barb
Barb, this disengaging can be good, especially for those of us who seem to need “on” and “off” time. I so enjoyed reading your Small Stones and seeing pictures of your beautiful neck of the woods in Colorado.
❤ ❤ ❤
Hearts back to you, too, dear Larissa…
Breaks are a necessary part of life.
Hi, Sarah, and thank you for understanding about this rhythm of life… ❤
I understand what you’re saying. I made a commitment to myself to show up to my blog weekly and to check-in with my favorite bloggers weekly as well. But it can be difficult to want to always communicate using the written word. I miss seeing people across the table from me, rather than *seeing* them on the other side of a screen.
Ally Bean, your weekly check-in and show-up-blogging sounds like a lovely commitment. But I know what you mean about wanting to interact with people in person. That would be the loveliest. And may it happen soon.
I love how you honor what is true for your spirit and soul.
Susan, thank you. And I know that you do that too!
These are hard times. Sometimes you just have to pass on everything and conserve energy. I so get this!
Alanna, thank you for understanding. I hope you have quiet times this winter, too. Did you get some snow? My daughter said she did!
Yes- snow and our not so favorite freezing rain!
Oh that freezing rain–no fun–especially if we have to drive in it.
just sending love… I too have been in quiet mode…
Margo, it’s lovely that you reached out from your quietness. I am feeling the love and sending some back to you…. ❤
Honor where you are Kathy. It’s a powerful lesson for us too. 💕
Val, that is a good message. May we all continue to honor where we are. ❤
You are continually in my thoughts and while I do miss reading your daily posts/comments etc. I, too envy the ability to just step away from the “social media life” and see what’s beyond the screen. Stay safe and blessed and I will earnestly try to step away myself every now and then ♥
Amanda-Lyn, it’s nice to see you again. I hope all is well with you. Some people seem to be able to moderate their online times very easily. Others of us need time off to replenish. Wishing you the best at all times–when you step away and when you’re here!
I actually thought of you a couple of days ago and wished you well. I thought you deserve to enjoy your time in any way you want after your journey. You are always loved.
Thank you–both Markus and Micah–and I wish you well, too! Many blessings to you both. ❤ ❤
I love how you trust and follow your heart. ❤ I've been spending some of my days sinking into the vastness of silence, too. It's a good place to be, from time to time.
Robin, I felt such a warm feeling in my heart when reading your comment yesterday afternoon. Thank you for saying this. And so glad the silence has been sustaining you, too. ❤
Thank you for the great read. Nothing like stepping away and taking a break in life.
Thank you–and I hope you get the chance to do this, too, Roof Repair. 🙂
To be still, silent and at one with the universe is a blessing to be enjoyed Kathy, enjoy it for as long as your soul takes you there. We all go there at times so we all understand.
Bright Blessings
Thanks, Tilly! How nice to hear from you, and to know you understand about the rhythms of the soul in silence and sharing, too. ❤
It’s ok, Kathy. That’s the way real life is. XOXO
Tis, indeed, dear Stacy! Sometimes I imagine it should be otherwise. Tee hee.
I regularly get those times Kathy, when silence is what I need so I can well understand the need to retreat. Wishing you refreshment from the silence.
Andrea, I am sure you do understand this as well. I like what you say–“refreshment from the silence”. Ahhhh!
It is lovely to read your wise words again, Kathy. I had been wondering whether all was okay on your side of the world during the weeks of radio silence, so I am glad to hear you are alright, and ‘just chilling’ in harmony with the universe. 🙂 I agree with the other commenters – we all yearn for silence and pausing and being still and attuning to peace and listening to the inner voice, and this strange time has presented us with that gift and strengthened that longing. Wishing you many blessings, and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us from time to time. 🙂
Reggie, and it’s a pleasure to read YOUR wise words again, too! And you are totally right about “chilling” lately–we’ve emerged from ten days of below zero temperatures and it felt like being in a perpetual deep freeze. Thank goodness it’s warming up again. (That would be -2 C today, almost tropical, lol.) I also agree with you about how this strange and crazy time has had the potential to attune us to peace and deeper inner listening. Very odd, yes?
Very odd, yes! I’ve noticed that our lives seem to be speeding up again in the last weeks… I much preferred the time of quiet… reflection… listening…. rather than being swept up in all the drama…
I missed seeing you around, Kathy, but I knew you wouldn’t be far away and would reappear soon. I’m posting, but not commenting as much due to lack of time. My kitchen reno is in full swing. Take care. xx
So envious of your kitchen reno! Can’t wait to see pictures–have you posted any pics yet? I only briefly popped in over at your blog. Our guy is nowhere to be found. But we heard his father just died, so we sent him a sympathy card. One of these days we’ll get our new kitchen.