This morning, I was in the depths of planning my next travel adventure. And then something interesting happened.
My Daily Om horoscope came into my inbox.
Before I get into the details, I’ll give a bit of background. I religiously read my Daily Om, an inspirational newsletter that gives some wise insights you can apply to your every day life and perspective. It comes to my inbox at about 12:46 each day, usually when I’m eating lunch, which is great, because then I have time to read it in between the non-Om-ish nature of business life.
It always has some wise words about how we relate to others, deal with anxiety, cope with change – topics that you think you might not relate to, but then again, you might be in denial.
Learning about how to achieve balance is something we can all strive for.
We all have stuff to learn. I signed up for this because I always knew I needed a bit of Daily Om. Some balance. Most of the time, I’m a talker, happy, dramatic in a positive way, seldom quiet. One of those people who likes to fill the noise, fill the time. I want to live in the present moment but always want to choose the next adventure.
The lesson I’ve learned from Daily Om? That silence can be a good, calming, positive thing. I’ve started to enjoy silence. (Unless it’s me talking to myself, which happens occasionally, and then it admittedly gets a bit strange.)
In 1994, I attended a silent retreat – 5 days without talking to anyone. The first few days, there was a buzz in my head with thoughts about everything pouring out. I thought I was going to poke my eyes out. I thought I was going to lose my mind, run away from the retreat center and find the closest Papa Gino’s to hide out. And, there was no Diet Coke.
And then, on Day 3, the buzz stopped. I slept for 15 hours a day. We sat in silence, ate in silence, walked in silence. And it was wonderful. My creative writing skyrocketed and my appreciation for the basics (without any electronics) was amplified.
Don’t worry – Daily Om is not dorky.
Check out my Daily Horoscope Om from today below, and interestingly, while not about silence, it was about travel, exploration, culture – my biggest passion, the reason I started this site, the “thing” that makes me happiest. The exact encouragement and perspective I needed as I map out my next adventure.
Coincidence of timing? I think not.
If you’re so inclined – go check out Daily Om and see what it has to offer you. It’s not for everyone and that’s totally OK. Might spur some ideas you’ve not yet had. Or come to your inbox with a message right when you need it. It’s not only for meditators and spiritual gurus. It’s for us regular people. It might be helpful after your boss asks you to work overnight on a presentation. You can then read your Daily Om and type away. In silence.
How do you get your dose of Daily Om – even if you aren’t a subscriber? Dig deep, think about what keeps you balanced. How has it changed you? Have you shared your lessons to help change others?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you liked this post, please subscribe to the RSS feed
—-
April 24, 2010
Shaped by Exploration
Scorpio Daily Horoscope
An intense curiosity may manifest itself within you today, leaving you feeling elated as well as eager to discover how people in other parts of the world live, work, and play. You may be in an expansive mood that is compelling you to embark upon journeys of discovery involving travel, books, and interpersonal relations. This can be a wonderful time to begin planning an expedition to a locale you find intriguing or to set off on a spontaneous voyage of inner and outer growth. If traveling is not feasible at this time, however, consider studying the cuisine, art, and social etiquette of other countries. As you push the boundaries of your life experience while learning about the world today, you may find that there are foreign customs you wish to adopt into your daily routine.
Spending time immersed in another culture is a wonderful way to discover all that the world has to offer. Many of us spend our lives locked into the systems of thinking and being imposed upon us by the culture into which we were born. Exploring the mores and nuances of an unfamiliar culture through travel, study, or conversation can be an eye-opening experience and one that helps us better understand our own lives. Knowing definitively that there are many different ways of approaching the same issue enables us to consciously shape our lives based on our preferences and beliefs rather than the dictates of our heritage or the social standards of our localities. The more you learn about other cultures today, the more you will find to love about the world.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Laura,
Great post, thanks!
The ‘Shaped by Exploration’ horoscope fantastically describes the greatest gift of traveling. Traveling to me is the most rewarding investment one can make. Travel experiences cannot be compared (as with a new car that you quickly compare to the one from your neighbor) as they are shaped by your own impressions and observations. One of the most valuable things indeed.
And I can imagine receiving this DailyOm has inspired you again to plan your next travel adventure! I have quickly subscribed myself as well and will read them…in silence..
Thanks again, you run a great blog.
Emiel
Thanks Emiel! You’re always such a great support. I completely agree about the uniqueness of travel – everyone has their own filter…and it’s amazing the insights we can walk away with – which may be much different from the expectations we went in with. That’s my favorite part.
Silence is comtemplative, reflective and beautiful, but to some, it’s deafening. If you decide China is on your travel cards silence doesn’t really occur because it’s a negative not a positive energy. Funny how cultures perceive things. That is why I travel: to find out those smaller insights often overlooked from a tour bus or backpacker route.
.-= Cate´s last blog ..Lest we forget: In memory of New Zealand’s Anzac =-.
Hey Cate! That’s such an interesting perspective – and definitely cultural commentary – I hadn’t considered that. You and I seem to be quite on the same page with our travel motivations. I always love reading what you’re up to as well. I’m sure our paths will cross live one day!