What is the rhythm you get into when you’ve got the blues?

The rhythm I get into is one of withdrawal, isolation, and loneliness.  This past week has felt like that, even though I have the love and support of my amazing husband, and the smiles and love of my daughters. Last night as my husband was getting ready for bed, I told him I was going to stay up and create for a while.

“I know there is something wrong, what is wrong?” he asked.
“Sweetie, the only way to explain it, is I feel blaaaahhhh.  I feel no excitement, no up or down, just blah.” I replied.
“We have so many wonderful things happening in our life, how can you feel this way?  Can’t you get excited about our plans for the next couple of months?” he asked, with bewilderment.
“Believe me, I am beating myself up enough.  I know we have so much good in our lives.  I just need to get out of this rut.” I replied with frustration and guilt.
“Tomorrow, why don’t you grab your camera, and with all the beautiful snow, go explore and take some photos.” he suggested.

And that is exactly what I did this morning.  Off I went, not knowing where I was going, with a sense of peace and a connection to spontaneity.  I haven’t played music in the car for a while, and found that my regular cd Josh Groban was replaced with Walk the Line. “Get Rhythm” was the first to play.  The first lines of the song, made me smile: “Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Come on, get rhythm when you get the blues.” This was exactly what I was doing and it felt good.

I drove, singing, tapping my hands on the wheel and just present to the beauty.  My breath was taken away by a beautiful fog in the valley.  I found a driveway to park, and went walk about.  The air was cold, yet fresh.  The surroundings breathtaking. I couldn’t help but feel blessed to be witness to this beauty.

I began to feel the tingling of the bitter cold on my hands, so I continued on my journey – where ever it would take me.  And then, there they were. . . Off a back road with no other cars or people in sight, a breathtakingly beautiful group of horses.  It didn’t matter how cold I was, the magic of this moment in time far out weighed the chill setting into my bones.  Even though there was a large herd of them, I couldn’t help but feel how alone they must feel.  Each of them at some point or another vying for my attention.  Ears back, shrieks of annoyance as one would nudge another aside to be near me.  I couldn’t help but think, how many humans, nudge others away for attention.

One horse in particular captured my heart and soul.  His black mane glistened with snow, his eyes revealed a gentle soul and beautiful spirit.  I put my arms around his neck and he just laid his head on my shoulders.  A magical moment of connection. Reluctantly, after what seemed a lifetime, I went on my way.  ”Thank you, for the beauty you injected into my heart.” I said aloud.

I drove along the deserted back roads at a snails pace, present to the moment and open to whatever beauty my eyes were drawn to.  An isolated area, stacked with hay bales, made a beautiful contrast to the majestic mountains.  I stopped and wondered, how many critters call this place home?  How many animals does this nurture and nourish.  I found myself smiling, I have never stopped to think of hay in that way.  And then a giggle surfaced as I thought of my youngest daughter.  Years ago, we would be on a road trip and out of nowhere she would yell out “Hay”, we would reply “Hey what?” when all the time it was her pointing out the hay bales.

I came to a group of large cows, as I stopped and watched them curiously looking at me, I was taken by the beauty of their breath. The steam that exhaled from them.  In that moment I focused on my own breath.  Breathe in the beautiful crisp and clean air, and breathe out all my troubles.  Surprising, how a seemingly ‘normal’ moment, is an opportunity to be magical.  This cow did not move for at least five minutes, it watched me with full attention.  How many humans look into the eyes of another with such attention and focus?

I kept going, and suddenly was surrounded with sparkles.  The bare trees were glistening in the sunlight.  I felt like I was in a magical world.  A world that sparkles and shines. Everywhere I looked light shined brightly.  Sadly, I didn’t capture this magic as well as it was to the naked eye.  Just this one stretch of road, had the glistening, it seemed that everything sparkled.  My friend Susanne’s words came to me “Shine On”, and I smiled.

As I began my journey back home, not really knowing where I was, I found myself trusting.  Trusting that I was where I needed to be, knowing that I will be okay. Grateful to my husband for encouraging me to do this.  I drove home in the rhythm, taking in the sights and having my ears and heart tantalized by the wonderful music.  I chose to “Get Rhythm”, a new rhythm out of the cycle I was finding myself in.  And I feel calm, peaceful and grateful.

What do you do to “Get Rhythm” when you get the blues?