I'm just back from a mini retreat for moms about "Parenting from the Inside Out"; ie, taking care of ourselves so we can take care of our families. It was wonderful. One of our exercises today was to share with the group what makes us feel alive. It's another way of thinking about what feeds your soul.
I shared with the group that being in nature and walking by myself in my favorite local parks, the Washington Park Arboretum and Volunteer Park, makes me feel alive. It truly does. I'm outside, breathing fresh air, moving my body, working up a sweat, clearing my head. I love it. Ironically, when I went for my walk after today's session, I was pondering this question further.
Truth be told there are many things that make me feel alive. And I started thinking about how alive I feel when I see really great live music. My friend Julie noted in my last post that's she's crazy about live music and you'll usually find her up front at the stage so she can take it all in. I love performers who interact with the crowd and make you truly feel alive! You can tell it makes them feel alive too.
My favorite of late is Michael Franti. I've seen him live two times in the last two months and he's AMAZING! That's me right up front on the right in orange, taking it all in! His song I'm Alive is one of my favorites!
In New Orleans recently, I saw two live shows and was right up front for both.
I like Julie's approach of getting as close to the stage as possible. Seeing an artist live always makes me feel, well, ALIVE!
In the coming months, we plan to see Pearl Jam, Macklemore and Josh Ritter. I can't wait!
Now it's Your Turn
Leave a comment or shoot me an email. Or heck, call or text
and let me know what makes you feel alive. I'll package it up with others' comments in a blog post and pay it forward to help more people feel alive!
Amy, thanks for sharing what makes you feel alive! I have never really been a live music gal...but reading your post and feeling your enthusiasm through your words created a curiosity. I will definitely keep my eyes open for an opportunity to experience it with a new lens. Having new experiences makes me feel alive.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite quotes is about being alive so I love this post. Laughing--that kind of can't-catch-my-breath belly laugh--makes me feel alive. Music is another big one though I'm not as into live music as I used to be. My current fave is to look up the lyrics of a song I love and then just belt them out as the song plays--in the privacy of my own home. I also feel very alive when I'm learning, reading, writing or working with someone who is really ready for what's next (and willing to go for it). Thanks for the post, Amy!
ReplyDeleteI have a deep connection to (and luckily live near) the ocean. I feel alive when I am at the beach, listening to the waves, watching the sailboats, and smelling the salt air. When I am near water, I feel free and connected to universe.
ReplyDeleteI also love to make people laugh - it's the best high ever!
Hiking, camping in the wilderness, the mountains or a coastal track. The feeling of breathing the fresh air and living the simple life close to nature is hard to beat. I agree though that live music can also give a great sense of feeling alive, especially when it resonates with what you're feeling right then.
ReplyDelete