One of the writing newsletters in which I am subscribed to will often provide writing prompts. I don't usually need those, but now and then when I'm stuck in a writer's block (as I was and had been), I will scroll through and see if anything stands out for me. Today one of the prompts talked about using one of our senses to see what comes up from that vast writers well within.
It worked. I was immediately guided to write about the experience I had last night. My girl and I attended a local Christmas Choral event. The chairs were uncomfortable, the lights too bright, so for someone like me (environmentally sensitive), I questioned how long I would be able to in the environment. My practice this past year has been to take time to get back in my body. Modern day living, stress, trauma will all knock us out of our bodies to varying levels. So rather than focus on the discomfort I was feeling, I closed my eyes and tuned in to the music. At that moment, the choir on stage stopped with the instrumental accompaniment and finished the piece acapella. Their voices were in perfect pitch, perfect unison, and I could feel the resonant frequency of their voices surround and enter my body. I immediately shifted away from the racing thoughts which allowed for me to fully feel sensations of calm, peace, relaxation.
Aaaahhhhhh....
Through intentional focus, I brought those wonderful feelings to other parts of my body. As my body fully relaxed, I sat there, eyes closed and just let myself BE. I no longer noticed the hard chair on my back and behind. And when I opened my eyes for a moment to check in on my daughter sitting next to me, the lights were no longer a nuisance. Through sensory exploration, I was able to shift my experience in my body and in my mind.
However, it was temporary for next up was a group that had some pitch issues and people in the audience were starting to get restless in those chairs (my daughter included) and were as such stretching, looking around, perhaps wondering "is it ok if I just get up and walk around? Anyone else doing that?" While my girl was focused on the cute baby smacking the floor with her little hands as she crawled around chanting "ba ba ba ba ba", I needed something else.
This time, I was nudged to go the humor route. Some "experts" may say this is not technically a sensory experience, but to me laughter does feel good to my body, so I went with it. I reached into my purse to grab a mint, leaned over and whispered to my daughter, "Do you want one?" She declined, smiling. I popped one into my mouth, leaned in again and whispered, "I could put it on your leg like Jerry Seinfeld did with his pez dispenser." She tried not to laugh while whispering "Mom, STOP!"
The Universe was clearly supporting me in this for it was announced the next song would be "Joy To The World."
"Oooh," I said, "The Jeremiah was a bullfrog song!"
Again, she whispered, "Mom, stop!" Fighting back a smile and giggle.
"Did you know Jeremiah wasn't really a prophet", I whispered. "He was a frog. That Hebrew stuff was all a lie."
That's all it took. She began to shake with the giggles and the next thing I know, we were leaning on each other, giggling. As quietly as we could.
Bodies relaxed. Enjoying the moment.
Reminding me that while music can be the ultimate healer, laughter is the best medicine.
Merry Christmas. Ribbit.
Love,
Victoria