Unplugged and listening

Taking (a little) time alone, unplugged, can really be a good thing no matter how beneficial being in community with others is for all of us. So it may be a little ironic writing about "unplugging" in a very connected format like a blog, but life is full of irony.

A few weeks ago a good friend of mine and I went snowboarding in Colorado. On day three of that trip we were night riding at Keystone (something anyone who is into skiing or boarding should do!!). On our second run of the night I told him to ride on (he is a few levels above me anyhow), what happened then wasn't anything you can really plan for.

For a solid 5-7 min I was alone on the mountain, it was lightly snowing that night, for the past few days it had drenched the mountains in snow and the wind was gale force but not that night, it was practically still. There was absolutely no one around me at all....I was ALONE, it was perfectly quiet except for a little whisper in the pines and the occasional sound of my board moving the snow as I glided down the hill. I couldn't tell you the last time I felt so open, its easy to listen when there is no clutter. No ipod in my ear, no texts or emails hitting my phone, no computer in my face, it really was surreal. On top of that mountain, in the dark, alone, I felt more connected to the world than I had in months.

Coelho, one of my favorite authors talks about the ability to listen to the "language of the world"....and I can tell you, that night I was listening.

I guess sometimes it takes effort to unplug, go for a walk (no ipod), sit in a chair (no tv blaring), read a book then sit and think about it, pray for longer than 3 min or any other manner of taking some time unplugged. While being connected to others is integral and we all need it, a little time alone and listening can do wonders (even if its only 5-7 min).