I took this last year when the little guy was still in day care. Now he's all grown up and in Kindergarten. Time moves fast when we're not paying attention.
This moment has stuck in my mind as one of those that only a young child can create. It doesn't matter what's going on around him: he'll simply drop wherever he is and immerse himself in a book, a toy, whatever tickles his fancy at that moment.
Your turn: What do you do to tune out? Can little kids teach us how to be better in this regard?
Sometimes my wife and I just sit amazed as we listen to Kiera playing. She gets fairly in depth with her toys and we hear her say things like "No you can't go to the ball, Cinderella" and "Bibidy bobidy boo." Guess what her favorite movie is right now?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite "tune out" pasttime would have to be Madden football. I wouldn't say that I'm addicted to it, but it's a way for me to zone out for 20 minutes or so.
It's funny you should ask that because I noticed that I seem to have a harder time tuning things out then when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteI meditate each morning, and you would think that would help me tune things out with less difficulty. However, I have found the contrary to be true. Just last night I picked up one of my Dead Or Alive CD's and thought how much I would like to play it in the background as I read, but knowing full well that it would distract me.
One of my favorite things to do is make a hot cup of tea, turn on my space heater, put soft music on my Bose stereo, turn on my bedside lamp, crawl under my duvet, lean back against my pillows, and read or write for as long as I like. For me, it's like taking a nice, hot spiritual bath.
Directing myself back to what I believe is the essence of your question, taking deep breathes and focusing on my breathing helps me quiet my mind in the middle of chaos. Upon reflection, I suppose the meditation has helped after all.
I am terrible at "tuning out". The best I can do is read, but I wish I could be like my daughter. She is like a horse with blinders on. Nothing distracts her!
ReplyDeleteHi Carmi! Long time no see, huh? I'm still out here and alive and kicking!
ReplyDeleteYour kids are so gorgeous and the way you write about them almost makes me cry because it's so beautiful.
When I want to tune out, I play "Solitaire" or "Gem Drop." I can tell my brain is still clicking along, but for a little while, the noise of it all is quieter.
Carmi - Books still do it for me.
ReplyDeleteI tune out by blogging, Carmi. Nothing makes me focus on something besides my daily life than reading other people's blogs. Sometimes, though, they write about the same stuff I am going through, and that makes it strangely comforting.
ReplyDeleteThat is a hard one! I tend to tune out when I am blogging or on the computer. I don't hear anything- not even my husband.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog. I am glad I found it. I am an inspiring writer so have taken a break. Any good advice?
I am here from Michele's...glad I stopped by. I will definately be back:)
I have Mommy ears...I try to tune things out but there's this filter that keeps working, so I can never be "away" from everything. Those danged ears even work on listening for the cats. You'd think they would have clicked off when my son grew up...
ReplyDeleteThe closest I can come is when I'm reading...if I can fall into the pages of a book, it takes something significant or really annoying (read: "Where's the salt? I can't find the salt! Oh, wait, it's on the table...)
Gee he is darling, Carmi...And smart!
ReplyDeleteI look at tv....and/or a movie...and that relaxes me and takes me out of myself...
Here from Michele today!
Music helps me. Or else complete silence. I have a lot to read since I was gone two weeks too! I am here via Michele's this time.
ReplyDeletereading a good book will make me completely oblivious to the rest of the world - which is why I haven't read as much as I'd like over the last few years:-)
ReplyDeleteMstr A (5 years) can immerse himself in anything - reading, watching tv, playing computer games, staring at the carpet! sometimes just saying his name will wake him up, but mostly I have to touch him & break his line of sight!
But it's still oh so much better than when he couldn't amuse himself at all, relying on my help to do anything:-)
here from micheles today
I was never able to tune things out, even as a child. I wish to god that I could.
ReplyDeletehere via michele's this time
Ever since Christmas, listening to the ipod my wife gave me.
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me.
'Time moves fast when we're not paying attention.'
ReplyDeleteI love that sentence....
My way of tuning out is to drop into a book.... :-)
cq
Here from Michele's this time....
That's a cute photo. Kids are amazing at tuning everything out. Of course, we have too many responsibilities to tune out the world most of the time. I can, however, tune it all out when I'm reading a really good, engrossing novel.
ReplyDeleteHere from Michele's
I try to tune out while blogging or surfing.
ReplyDeleteMiss Four is fun to watch playing she talks away to herself oblivious to the fact we are watching her lol.
I'm the queen of tuning out. I'm a master of it. My daughter is constantly laughing at me because she'll say something and about 2 minutes later I'll say "What?". It takes me that long to register that someone else is alive, especially when I'm reading or blogging.
ReplyDeleteMan, that's a great photo. Carmi, it's been ages - hope you're well!
ReplyDeleteWell, today I was reading a really good, although kinda gross book, while my daughter took a tennis lesson. I guess I tuned out pretty well. I can't often do that.
Michele sent me. Have a great day!
That's such a sweet reminder of how quickly time passes.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great picture Carmi.
ReplyDeleteI usually read to tune out. That way, I'm only focused on the book (and then sometimes, the tune out goes to nap time).
you have some really great pics on here carmi!
ReplyDeletecurrently i'm listening to the neighborhood children playing at the other end of the house...it is highly amusing!
Hi there Carmi...
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me back to visit you and I'm always happy to stop on by! It's a VERY BUSY time at Michele's!! (lol)
Back from Micheles but I forgot to say Michele sent me last time so MICHELE SENT ME !
ReplyDeleteLOL
Hey... my tuning out mechanism is my computer. I just plug in and I'm gone. Ahhh, better than Calgon.
ReplyDeleteMSM!
I love this photo! I adore any image of a child engrossed in a good book. Reading truly is the cornerstone for life-long learning and it's so heartwarming to see a child start out with a passion for it.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, a good book will always shut the outside world out for me. Even when I don't mean to tune out totally it happens.