I come to the Playground alone…while the dew is still on the roses 🙂

I was listening to an audio book today 

Side note: I’m of the age that I still call them “books on tape,” and my husband laughs at me. I also say, “Can you videotape this for me?” When I want him to take a video of whatever antics I’m performing. 

So, this book had a character who made a comment that he “didn’t know what he thought or what he should be thinking” because his brain had been so consistently absorbed in reading. He hadn’t given his brain time to just think. 

Do you relate to that? I have noticed the same phenomenon myself… I do read a lot…and listen to “books on tape”… podcasts or even music so that my ears are constantly processing noise. My eyes are scanning pages or returning emails or only partially concentrating on driving.

I rarely give my brain time to think freely, create, dream… 

When I intentionally make space, through quiet, for my brain, at first, my brain is super busy processing lots of things. It’s as if it has to catch up on all the worries and thoughts I haven’t had yet today. Sometimes my brain actually feels loud, and I forget that it is physically quiet around me.

It takes a moment to filter out and empty those thoughts. I let my brain think them… and then let them go. (Yogis will know about this – it’s a concept in meditation – acknowledge the thought and then let it go)

When I have finally thought through all the taxing things, then I relax my brain and give it rest with mental freeplay.  You’ve heard the term free-play used for children, so why not let your adult brain free-play? 

What does that mean, you ask? I daydream or think about ridiculous things – I could give potheads a run for their money with my ridiculous trains of thought. “What if all rhinocerous were purple and they changed color depending on the amount of protein they consumed…and I picture it “😂

Sometimes, I let my brain be quiet and just get into some of my creative outlets. I may pick up a brush to paint without a plan or start writing without a plan – OR I just sit and let my senses enjoy the moments of quiet. I look at green grass, stare out at the water, and talk to God. 

I feel so much better and in tune with who God made me to be when I let my brain be free for a little bit. Granted, I’m a creative person so getting away from structure is freeing for me in general, but I also find that making space allows God to speak to me. I hear him better when he’s not fighting to be heard over my book, my show or my music… I guess that’s why we call it quiet time. It doesn’t just have to be first thing in the morning – He can speak to us throughout the day when we make space for him. 

Have you heard about the movement for “digital asceticism” recently? Our pastor used that term a while back in a sermon referencing another preacher. (John Mark Comer) We looked up the series and listened to it. There is so much truth in the idea that our phones are stealing the best parts of us – our attention, our creativity, our time, our relationships…and replacing all that we could be with dopamine addiction. That addiction – the scrolling, the pickups are a result of control over our brains while keeping us from being more creative, more intentional, and more sensitive to God’s voice. 

So this is my challenge for you: Make some space today, tomorrow, and the next day to be quiet… Let your brain and your soul free-play. Be creative. You’ll feel refreshed, might come up with several fun ideas, and you won’t be on the playground alone. I promise. If you want company, He’ll join you. 🙂 I’d love to hear how He has spoken to you in those moments.