I suppose one does not really know relaxation until they remove all distractions, at least for a few hours. My room mate made a visit to the Newman Center, and with no intention or desire to visit the Newman Center this evening I took to finding something leisurely to do. I could've watched Frasier or Cheers or any number of TV programs I normally go to when I'm bored, but I didn't. (Gasp! I know, right?!) I decided to make attempts at reading Shakespeare or continuing my reading of Isaac Asimov's The Naked Sun (part II of the Robot series) and fell into making progress on Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Then I got an idea. I grabbed some pino grigio, cheese, crackers, put on my classical station on Pandora, and then... just sat back and did nothing. Well, okay I ate and drank, but other than that I did nothing. And it was wonderful!
How strange it is that in this world of comforts such as Facebook, TV, mindlessly scouting the internet for whatever random things you can find, hanging out at a bar with friends, or seeing a movie, that I should find myself content just sitting in my apartment, listening to classical music and just soaking in the evening. I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed! No passively just absorbing whatever the TV or a book wants me to absorb. No restlessly searching for something new and exciting. Just sweet introverted solitude. Perhaps this is something everyone should make a point to pencil into our schedules from time to time. To just shut out the world for a few hours and just exist.
Perhaps, however I'm being pretentious. Perhaps I'm longing for some sort of "snooty" lifestyle that is beyond me. Or perhaps, par chance, I've discovered a gold mine to let my mind wander, imagine, be swept away by crescendos and trumpet blasts, and just recreate for a while in a playground of playful ambiance. This is definitely something I'm going to make a point of doing every now and then, because it's just so enjoyable!
