Doubting where to start, and what to write. In the end it doesn't matter. The only person I am writing this to, is myself. My future self. For when I'll be settled into my home reflecting on this epic journey. But a conversation with yourself has you circling round like a ferry wheel, so we will let the keys do the trick.
Last night, saturday July 2nd 7pm, it had been a long hot day. The two Slovenian builders, who are helping me with the lime plastering of the exterior wall, had just left. I am tidying up after them, content with the progress, whilst thinking about my next job. "I could do another hour or two after dinner". But there was another voice. "Listen to your body". In all honesty, it had been saying this repeatedly throughout the day. Taking a notice this time, I realize I am quite knackered, fuilty as a dog, heavy legged, mentally over loaded, hungry, thirsty (for a cold beer!). Normally, I have bountless energy. I don't get called back to slow down, to stop, unless its by someone else. Having fought the inner voice all day, and needing to eat and clean up anyway, I gave in. Hey, I was strong enough to tell myself to stop.
I cooked a picknick dinner, packed a beer, some chocolate, a book, towel and soap, and cycled to the nearby river for a refreshing plunge and a deliciously tasty sunset meal. "Aahhh.." - said the inner voice.. "Thank you!"
Taking a moment to purposfully be alone, to slow down, reflect, gaze, listen to the birds in silence, simply be, without any other purpose than to be. Only seven weeks since Mr. Bojangles and I moved to my new homestead the Olstergaard depending on neighours and friends for basic needs, since I became a newby at overseeing an entire building project, since I de-virgined my new power tools, since I built my house to where it is today. Now what are seven weeks on an entire life time?
Reflection = action. Apparently...
So this morning at 5am, I awoke to the first sun rays gently warming my face, thinking "The hell, I'm not going to do anything today!". Say what? For the first time since the start of the build, a day where I wouldn't work. Could I do it? Even though the builders would arrive at 8am, could I let them do their thing and not feel guilty for not working on any projects? Well, you can guess the answer; NO. But I did take a break! And I didnt really pick up any tools (except for the tape measure, once or twice). I did design a reedbed-sofa; map out the water tube system; cared for and keep the builders straight in a mix of Dutch/English/German/Slovenian; collected the trailer to buy and transport three water collection tanks from across the river; did recycling, shopping, and a water re-fill (life happens too!); enjoyed an eggie lunch with coffees at a friends' house; had a few cuppas with my awesome neighbour Marjolein (Marjoleininhetklein.nl), who also let me endulge in a shower; developed my next video featuring the build of the Mezzanine; and did various tours of the house to all the nosy sunday visitors (yes, we're a true open-air-museum). Oh, and then wrapped up the day with a random bunch of key strokes that make up for this.
Okay okay. Maybe I didn't do nothing. But had a good go at trying! And I feel charged.
It takes another kind of strength to stop. My mission in life is to enjoy it, to make the most of every day, to have the energy to be there for my friends, and give back. I am thoroughly enjoing the process of building my own little paradise, but I have a long ways to go. When you keep the train going at full speed all the time, you end up skipping important stations that are essential for fueling up. The time to live is now. And although I'm all about going full speed, sometimes its okay to slow down or even stop at the most scenic stations, however great the risk of sticking around for a little longer as planned.
Writing this from my camper sofa with another great sunset view! G'night..
