Have you had a shut down in a while?

Have you had a shut down in a while?

                                               

I realized that technology and gadgets have sent us in a world where we are always doing or thinking about doing something in the back of our mind.    

We are pounded with information, notifications, friend requests,  Facebook and what's app messages and ah, those emails from work.  You can relate to all that, right?

Our body and mind are always working and are always in 'ON' state. If at all, we get time, which is rare,  we spend that in watching TV, reading news etc. We keep doing something in our free time too, which does not allow our mind to go in switch 'OFF' mode. Those who could avoid the temptations of reading and watching during this 'me' time, do introspection sessions. Their mind is  still working.

I am a firm believer in doing introspection. I will not be where I am today, without introspection. But, wait, all your 'me time' is not for introspection. 

Imagine spending a day at a place where there is no TV, no Internet,  no gadgets, no mobile , no news paper and magazine. Think of a day when there is no morning bell from maid, cook, newspaper and milk men. A day when there is no need to jump out of bed as soon as you open your eyes and to rush to reach your office. 

You will have 24 hrs to be in peace with yourself. You will not think of anything or do anything. All you have to do is, while away your time, the way you like. Exploring, walking, visiting different places to embrace beauty of nature, meet people and eat food etc etc. 

You have no plans for the day and night. You are living every hr, the way it comes and you are just exploring your surroundings.

Gosh, when was the last time you spent a day like that? Don't you find it exciting that you will be free from the things that trap you and your day?

After such a vacation, I bet you will be back fresh,  relaxed and with lots of energy to get going for next few days. Most importantly you will love your working life more because you have had your moments of peace and now you are ready to rock n roll.         

I call such vacation, 'The shutdown period'. With our body and mind working 24 *7 on our instructions, we need to shut them  down for some time.      

You can argue that you are still making your mind and body work during vacation. The difference is your mind is in a non thinking zone and your body is in non working zone.

I just had my shut down period at GOA and I loved it. I spent 72 hrs with my wife and myself. Hehe,  times are such that you need to schedule your meeting with you, yourself!!!

Our phone was in locker,  no TV, no news paper and no Internet.  We  woke up in the morning, greeted each other, hugged and kissed each other. We did our breakfast talking just any stuff.

Then we took out our two wheeler and just went on exploring things around. We had 'No plans', Period!!!. We will cover distances and go see places based on what we both wanted to do.

In the process, we were reminded, how beautiful the world that you live in is. The beautiful dolphin ride, the sunset at candolim beach where we were holding hands and just sharing our wishes with the sun or the water sports we played.

We were together both from our mind and heart. We played together. I could overcome my fear and do para sailing. I could do jet skiing and I enjoyed every moment.

We listened to songs that we love the most, we shared our memories and we danced together. It felt like we are in dreams.

We would hit the beaches each morning and then each evening. Blue water, serene, place you can be yourself and be at peace. 

Also, north Goa beaches are also places where you forget about the pressure from society, people and can experience sea water in swim wear. You feel free from obligations of wearing layers of clothes and experience water and sun in most natural way. 

During the night, the beaches were full of life too. Well lit seaside restaurants with romantic themes, international cuisine in food, songs, lively environment and joyous people. 

You feel like you are celebrating life in the best of the way. Isn't what we should be feeling everyday? We want to, but we don't because we are trapped in day to day chores eventually forgetting that life is a celebration. 

The shut down reminds you about how beautiful your day can be and how you can celebrate life's every moment. Remember you live your day to live your life. Your daily chores should not control your life. You should control them and Yes, you should have 6 monthly shut down period when there are no daily chores at all. 

I will end it here because until you have one shutdown time of your own, you won't feel it. Go have a shut down period for yourself and lemme know. 

Go kiss the world,

Umesh