The Spa of Quiet

Quietness is my Spa of Choice

There are times when I absolutely love the house full of noise.  Christmastime when all the kids and grandkids are home. The laughter of children and the boisterous conversation of adults.  And when I have my Bible study group over for a social...and social it is!  Those young moms are full of conversation, and practically giddy at the reality of a girl's night out.  And when my hubby and I are watching our favorite shows on TV in the evening and the volume is up high with the good guys chasing the bad guys and spontaneous hilarious laughter blaring out at us (or maybe it's up high because we're getting a bit hard of hearing). Or maybe the times when we are working on a project and turn up the ipod or Pandora and boogy  while we work to the sounds of Motown. Those are good times.

But every so often, I find myself completely alone in the house, and that is where I get in tune with my creative side, and where I find a great peace and a clearing of the mind.  I listen for those little inner voices that call out to me new ideas, and they do not rest until those ideas are tried and proven (or not).  Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, but it's always fun putting an idea to the test.  I also find that time alone gives me much needed time to listen to my heart. Listening to your heart achieves things that would not be possible in a house full of noise. Sometimes the small voice of remembrance or regret gets my attention and I have to admit that is not always comfortable because I usually have to make amends or admit where I've been wrong -- or both.  But it's the quiet solitude that helps me to clear my head. Our heads are full from the clutter of everyday living and we have to empty them out in order to find solace and, well, order again.  A quiet day alone in the house will do that for you.  We have shows and books and articles about keeping our homes free of clutter, but we have so much clutter in our heads that we don't know how to get it clutter-free.  Maybe we don't even realize it is clutter.  It could also be defined as a lack of peace or inner calm.  Do you find your inner calm strangely missing sometimes?

Some women enjoy at day at the spa.  I'll admit I have never had a complete day at the spa.  I have only had one professional massage in my life and I had a panic attack right before going in.  Go figure.  Something that is supposed to help you find your inner calm gave me a panic attack.  I'll never understand that one.  If funds are available, one might make a day of it...massage...nails (all 20 of them)...hair...facial...ahhh, sounds like a relaxing day, doesn't it?   But for most of my friends, even though they may have a massage here and a pedicure there, most of them don't ever make a full day of pampering themselves.  I think we should have a new national holiday entitled Women's Spa Day, where all women are required to take a spa day -- if not possible because of funds, then a homemade one.  I tell my hubby all the time that he missed his calling and I know for sure he should've been a massage therapist because he gives an amazing foot rub.  I'd choose his foot massage over a professional one any day, hands down.

But when it all gets right down to it, quietness is my first choice of spa amenities.  Offered a facial, a manicure, a pedicuare, even a full-body massage, I'll have the quietness, please.  I mean, after all, isn't it the quietness that makes all those delicious choices really work for you?  A time to sit (or lie down) and receive something for yourself alone in the quiet, not having to give anything back in return and not being bothered by anyone or anything?  Yep, I'll take the solitude any time (if I HAVE to choose).  Although...I would be up for my second all-time full-body massage again, but this time I would do my best to omit the panic attack. 

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