At Certain Times of Our Lives…
Posted by Robin Easton
This post is dedicated to Robert Krzisnik, who has inspired me many times with his writing.Robert is a communication trainer and psychologist. I discovered his blog awhile backand found his writing evocative, heartfelt, bluntly honest and warmly humorous. I think you’ll enjoy his site. I am often moved by the depth of his feeling and thinking. 
His site is titled: “In Search of Meaning” Robert recently left a comment on my post: “The “Change” We All Talk About It moved me to write this post. Robert’s comment was…
“It is great to read this and I, normally and generally, wholeheartedly agree with what you are talking about bringing about changes. It is just that nowadays I feel a bit disillusioned, empty, old and tired… Tired of trying to change. Tired of attempts, be it successful or not, doesn’t really matter. Hm.”
I admire Robert for his open nature and telling it like it is. Since I often read his site and know of all the healing workshops he is doing and how much he gives to others in his work I had these thoughts, which apply to all of us at certain times of our lives.
Sometimes the change we need is to do nothing, “be nothing”. In some aspects Robert’s life reminds me of my own. Throughout my life I’ve packed (and still pack) a LOT of living into my days and years. I’ve traveled all over creation and I’ve deeply explored both my inner world and the world in which I live. I’ve taken many risks and lived spontaneously and fully. I seem to consume every moment, whether it be good, bad, up or down. It’s all a lesson and I’m hungry to learn, to know both myself and Life. I love living and I’ve a feeling that love just sort of spills out of me; I can’t seem to contain it. I tend to give to everyone everywhere I go. I reach out and touch, hug and embrace people. But due to that I am also a VERY private person that feels a strong need to pull back and be alone, be very still, do nothing, change nothing, give nothing, cease absorbing, learning, improving, awakening, seeing, knowing and striving, and simply…..”be nothing.” Be in the emptiness if needed; be with the nothing.
I have learned that when I feel “old” it is usually not a sign of age, but rather a need for change in my life…BUT it might NOT be the type of change I’ve done in the past. It might simply be a need to rest, to stop, to surround myself with things that soothe. Sometimes change can be embracing complete silence. Change can be doing nothing at all. Change can be NOT giving to anyone anymore. Sometimes the change we need is utter solitude. Change may mean being ways that society, family or friends don’t understand or like. They’ve known us a certain way and expect certain actions and reactions from us that we may be unable to fulfill any longer….
at least for awhile…maybe never again (or in the same way). Change is a subtle thing and doesn’t always mean “doing”. If we listen to our hearts we will eventually know when to strive and when to stop.
Some of my deepest life-altering changes came about when I could not change a thing, or when I was in absolute despair, when I felt numb and dead inside and had to just “be with” the numb feeling. Sometimes I felt no hope and had no faith. All I could do was let go and trust that I could be in a state of uncertainty, a state of feeling old or tired or numb. I had to trust that I didn’t have to push my weary soul any more. I had to trust that Life would still find me. I had to trust that I could let go, let my body, my brain and my spirit rest. I could be right where I was “at” and no more. There are times when Life, Insight and Love find us more easily when we are not off searching or trying to bring about more change.
“I have found my greatest fullness in utter emptiness….
I have heard the sweetest voice in complete silence….
I have seen the brightest light in total darkness.”
® Robin Easton
From my heart,
Robin
PS: Thank you, Robert, for reminding me of this truth. It came at a good time in my life. After the last three weeks I can relate to some of how you feel. In light of that I once again let go…and allow myself to simply “be”.
PPS: My friends: I am running behind so please bear with and I will visit you again as soon as things slow down a bit. My work load is intense and my life much too fast paced. So I am going to take two days this weekend and slow things down. I will catch up with you all next week…I look forward to it. Thank you for visiting me and leaving your heartfelt comments. Each one touches me….very much. I hope to see you here again. Hugs, Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
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22 Comments so far...
Alexander M Zoltai Says:
31 July 2008 at 9:43 am.
“I have found my greatest fullness in utter emptiness….
I have heard the sweetest voice in complete silence….
I have seen the brightest light in total darkness.â€
So ancient oriental! So wise.
When I reach the stage of tension and frustration that saps creativity and action, I go to my oracles–Tarot, Astrology, and the I Ching.
No I’m not a witless mystic. I’ve studied them for over 40 years and realize that none of these arts tells the future. They’re all based on deep psychology (see C. J. Jung) and ancient wisdom.
Your three statements up there are purely of the ilk of the Ching!
~ Alex
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miriam Says:
31 July 2008 at 9:53 am.
I have found my greatest fullness in utter emptiness….
I have heard the sweetest voice in complete silence….
I have seen the brightest light in total darkness.â€
® Robin Easton
Robin—i love this
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miriam Says:
31 July 2008 at 10:03 am.
forgot to mention that your photos of the ladder —with just a bit of sunlight–look like something out of Indianna Jones.
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the fearless blog Says:
31 July 2008 at 5:38 pm.
“I had to trust that Life would still find me.” How true it is! As long as we have Life, Life “does” have a way of finding us again. Perhaps, someone has sprinkled our drinking water with “I feel a bit disillusioned, empty, old and tired” because I know these feelings, too. I don’t know if everybody feels this way at some point. I have always believed that these feelings were “normal” for me though. Some of us think too much, analyze too much and feel too much perhaps. And so, to “be in the emptiness if needed; be with the nothing” is a good suggestion. When we quiet our minds, we can better hear our souls…
Lovely post, beautiful pictures and much to ponder now……..
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don Says:
31 July 2008 at 6:30 pm.
I note that your post is filled with “I”.
When talking about change, that’s as it should be. No one can change the time the sun rises on the horizon or sets before the coming of night. Except by changing their own location.
All change is ultimately in the “I” of the beholder.
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Geoffrey Says:
1 August 2008 at 12:29 am.
Beautiful, perceptive and insightful, Robin. A big lesson and perhaps one I learned later in my life…that sometimes change comes from being in a place in oneself…in one’s heart, and “doing” nothing. Thank you for the reminder.
Take very good care of yourself,
Geoffrey
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Larry McDowell (GuitarMusings) Says:
1 August 2008 at 1:00 pm.
I love how you say that sometimes change is to do nothing. That is so true. Why try to change for the sake of changing. It will only add to the anxiety that you may already be feeling.
Have you heard about Roz Savage? If not, you should check out her site. She is the poster girl for change. A person that had a nice corporate job in London but gave it all up to be an adventurer and is currently attempting to be the first women to row a boat across the Pacific. (she’s working her way She has a blog and a podcast that is incredibly inspiring.
Much like yourself!
Cheers!
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Greg Says:
1 August 2008 at 1:25 pm.
Beautiful thoughts, Robin. As always. And truly great images!! Very soothing and peaceful!
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brainteaser Says:
2 August 2008 at 5:15 am.
Oh Robin! Thank you for this post. As always, it is a gem. I love the quote…. your quote… the one you highlighted. I’ve copied it and put it in my fave quotes notebook.
And oh… I like the ladder pic. Very much. It’s just like a stairway to heaven! It speaks volumes!
And the ‘tree trunk’ pic, it looks like a x-chromosome with its reflection! Brilliant! hahaha!
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Stacey Huston Says:
2 August 2008 at 5:56 am.
Beautiful and insightful, I hope you find that time and place this weekend, to allow your soul to heal along with your body. Maybe you should come up here and we can go sit alongside the river for a while (wink) Thanks for sharing Robin!
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Mary Says:
2 August 2008 at 1:13 pm.
I love this post–especially the part about doing, being nothing….it fits me quite well some days! I also love all you say about change–feels very true to me 
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Casey Says:
2 August 2008 at 2:30 pm.
You are just utterly awesome : ) Love this post.
Blessings ; )
Casey
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Russ Says:
2 August 2008 at 3:12 pm.
Very thought provoking. Thank you.
http://death-sentences.blogspot.com/
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David Says:
2 August 2008 at 10:40 pm.
Very nice post. The nature of our being seems to mean we can never be just one thing entirely. We can come close sometimes though! lol. My happiest moments have been tinged with the sadness of knowing they would end soon. And my moments of despair have been touched with a wonderful peace because there is in these moments so little between us and God. So we go back and forth.
Thank you for sharing parts of yourself that bloggers or people in general don’t often share. This makes blogging and relationships so much better. We can share our understanding of our humanity with each other. We can explore the inner depths together.
We are all on such long journeys. Let’s rest and say we are resting. Let’s appreciate what we are doing and reflect upon it. Let the world know. I am on a journey through the centuries and now I need to rest.
ROBIN EASTON WRITES:
Dear David this comment really touched me. There is a lot of deep truth here.
Your words: “My happiest moments have been tinged with the sadness of knowing they would end soon. And my moments of despair have been touched with a wonderful peace because there is in these moments so little between us and God.”
I have found this so true in my own life, SO many times. This is a beautiful beautiful quote that you must put somewhere on your own site.
Thank you for your insights on the type of sharing that I do. It means a lot to me and encourages me to be myself. I really like your words:
“We can share our understanding of our humanity with each other.”
I agree with this, and I think that for many of us writing is cathartic and can help us better understand ourselves and the world. And it gives to those who don’t want to write a whole book a place or audience or home to share the thoughts and feelings they express through writing. I find that beautiful. It opens up the world of writing and expression for so many.
Also, this touched me deeply, brought tears to my eyes, and should also go on your website. It is pure poetry David.
“We are all on such long journeys. Let’s rest and say we are resting. Let’s appreciate what we are doing and reflect upon it. Let the world know. I am on a journey through the centuries and now I need to rest.”
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Sandra Says:
3 August 2008 at 10:26 am.
“I have found my greatest fullness in utter emptiness….
Robin,
This is utterly profound and oh so true. What a beautiful sentiment. Sometimes in the midst of despair comes our greatest triumph. Wonderful post! Peace 
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phoenix Says:
3 August 2008 at 3:26 pm.
Truly inspiring and so true. Change comes when you least expect it!
I need to slow down, and just be. Change is needed now. Life is way to fast right now!
Great Post
!
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Calder Says:
3 August 2008 at 6:54 pm.
Another great read Robin, thanks for sharing your life and wisdom.
Peace and love!
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DrowseyMonkey Says:
3 August 2008 at 10:53 pm.
I noticed others have quoted this…
“I have found my greatest fullness in utter emptiness….
I have heard the sweetest voice in complete silence….
I have seen the brightest light in total darkness.â€
But I had to too…that’s so wonderful. It really touched me because it’s so true. I know EXACTLY what you mean with those words because I’ve experienced the same thing.
Loved this post, and the photos, especially the ones with the ladders. Brilliant.
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Robert Says:
4 August 2008 at 2:46 pm.
“I have learned that when I feel “old†it is usually not a sign of age, but rather a need for change in my life”
Now, this is very very thought-provoking and inspiring. I will think about this one a lot. It certainly hits the nail…
And, Robin, I am speechless about your comments on my writings. I find it very hard to accept all of what you have said. I guess I will need to breathe a lot in order to digest all of that.
Many thanks and bows.
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YogaforCynics Says:
7 August 2008 at 10:47 am.
What you’re saying about getting “old” reminds me of that great old Bob Dylan line: “he not busy being born is busy dying.”
Beautiful blog.
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JOURNEYTIME Says:
7 August 2008 at 2:04 pm.
ROBIN,
as you were reminded by robert, i thank you for the timeous reminder as well.
your images and listening to caravansery–extended this moment and made it complete.
all the images on this posting are like frozen moments of serenity, peace and love emanating from the heart and the essence of someone who has seen the universal light.
for the amazing journey that you and all of us are on and partaking of, i give thanks!!!
namaste
derick
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