Lately I have been fascinated by the passage of time. Being on my own for the past (almost) three months, I have had plenty of time to wonder, ponder and meditate about the sights, sounds and events that occur during the moments, minutes, hours and days of our lives. There are three aspects of life that have come to my attention: rituals, rhythms and music. These three facets are mildly interrelated and a part of my everyday existence here in Kuwait.
A ritual, according to vocabulary.com is an action performed in a customary way. Whenever I have a change come into my life I realize that rituals are what hold life together. The act of setting the alarm, rising in the morning, making the morning coffee, showering, dressing, preparing for the day, walking to work, greeting the staff and students, and then getting on with the day are all daily rituals that facilitate the transition from one part of the day to the next.
In the Middle East the religion of the people follows a set daily ritual including the call to prayer five times a day, the annual ritual of fasting then feasting during Ramadan, and the once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca. These rituals are just one small part of the complete way of life.
My own personal rituals bring a sense of wholeness, discipline and commitment to my life. Waking, stretching, showering, dressing, preparing coffee and breakfast, etc. make up the morning ritual. This pattern of engaged activity helps to begin the day in a positive way. Missing out on any of these steps can lead to a generalized anxiety and sometimes even a disastrous day.
In addition to the daily rituals, I find that I am also aware of many rhythms. Each morning I leave somewhere between 5:15 and 5:30 am to walk to school. This has become part of my daily routine. During that daily 20 minute walk I am comforted by the rhythms of my steps, my breathing, and, if I pay careful attention, my own heartbeat. I find myself counting steps between familiar spots along the way. And with each step I come closer to my destination, arriving in time to perform the rituals of the morning- turning on the computer, signing in, checking emails, checking daily plans, and then greeting the students on the school yard.
When swimming at the club I have certain rituals that have had to be adapted to Kuwait, such as dressing within the covered confines of the dressing room, showering thoroughly and then walking slowly into the warm pool, dunking under several times, finding an open space to stretch out and then stroking through the water. And then the rhythm begins again. Stroke, stroke, breathe times seven, then touch the wall, turn around and repeat. The pool's railings make flip turns very difficult so I have developed a new pattern of stroke, stroke breath, stroke stroke touch, push and glide, kick and stroke stroke breath. There is something mesmerizing about the quiet steady rhythm of the stroking and kicking and before I know it, time has flown. An hour goes by quite pleasantly.
But where does music fit into this? Unlike many of the people around me I have yet to own an i-Pod or i-Phone, so the joy of listening to music while swimming or walking still eludes me. I have found it easier (and cheaper!) to play the music in my imagination. It may seem strange, but some of the most interesting and inspirational songs have come into my mind while walking to and from work. The beat of the music matches the rhythm of my step.
I have tried to tune in to the music from the aqua fitness classes at the pool (which happen at the same time I am swimming). Unfortunately, the water in my ears doesn't allow for an effective listening experience, so again, I resort to songs from my childhood or pop songs from the radio.
In addition to the daily rituals, I find that I am also aware of many rhythms. Each morning I leave somewhere between 5:15 and 5:30 am to walk to school. This has become part of my daily routine. During that daily 20 minute walk I am comforted by the rhythms of my steps, my breathing, and, if I pay careful attention, my own heartbeat. I find myself counting steps between familiar spots along the way. And with each step I come closer to my destination, arriving in time to perform the rituals of the morning- turning on the computer, signing in, checking emails, checking daily plans, and then greeting the students on the school yard.
When swimming at the club I have certain rituals that have had to be adapted to Kuwait, such as dressing within the covered confines of the dressing room, showering thoroughly and then walking slowly into the warm pool, dunking under several times, finding an open space to stretch out and then stroking through the water. And then the rhythm begins again. Stroke, stroke, breathe times seven, then touch the wall, turn around and repeat. The pool's railings make flip turns very difficult so I have developed a new pattern of stroke, stroke breath, stroke stroke touch, push and glide, kick and stroke stroke breath. There is something mesmerizing about the quiet steady rhythm of the stroking and kicking and before I know it, time has flown. An hour goes by quite pleasantly.
But where does music fit into this? Unlike many of the people around me I have yet to own an i-Pod or i-Phone, so the joy of listening to music while swimming or walking still eludes me. I have found it easier (and cheaper!) to play the music in my imagination. It may seem strange, but some of the most interesting and inspirational songs have come into my mind while walking to and from work. The beat of the music matches the rhythm of my step.
I have tried to tune in to the music from the aqua fitness classes at the pool (which happen at the same time I am swimming). Unfortunately, the water in my ears doesn't allow for an effective listening experience, so again, I resort to songs from my childhood or pop songs from the radio.
Just today I discovered online the theme song for the upcoming Pan American Games in Toronto, recorded by Serena Ryder. Now that is a catchy tune! See and hear it here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/serena-ryder-debuts-official-pan-am-parapan-anthem-together-we-are-one-1.3088016
I am thinking that it is time to pick out a device that will allow music to permeate my soul just as much as rituals and rhythms.
Until next time,
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/serena-ryder-debuts-official-pan-am-parapan-anthem-together-we-are-one-1.3088016
I am thinking that it is time to pick out a device that will allow music to permeate my soul just as much as rituals and rhythms.
Until next time,
Bee Rich
