(Ireland 2009)

If we were to gaze at our lives, mindful of our descansos, we could imagine our paths as passing through a landscape that reflects a series of planes. Delineating each plane of the landscape would be a period of time in which we found it necessary to step away, to find a quiet place, to reflect and perhaps to regroup.

Some of those times might be marked by a joyous occasion – the birth of a child which signals a “drawing in” of infant and caregiver, a period of precious bonding. I remember that time as a questioning of new and old roles, of changing focus, and of the discovery of a new tenderness within.

Another time of pensive reflection might be moving to unfamiliar places. Over the past eight decades, it has been my honor to visit and live in a number of states and countries. Remembering my first few days in Spain, the first memory is that of the physical pain in my ears after sixteen or more hours each day listening to Spanish, despite being relatively fluent in the language. For a quiet introvert, the experience of intense listening to very chatty – and very fast talking – Spaniards required all of my linguistic attention, and more.

As the days and weeks passed, immersed in a new culture, I found myself reflecting on my native culture and how my new learning expanded my understanding of myself and others. My understanding continued to grow as I moved from place to place and country to country. After eight decades, and as I continue to travel, my layers of wandering continue to bless and entice me with reflective descansos.

Then there are the personal layers and their evolutions – family, health, professional roles. My spouse and I have experienced a number of family gains and losses over our fifty years of marriage. We also have coped with serious health concerns and are grateful for the strength to support each other’s healing. As of this writing I am considering another professional role. Do I have the wherewithal to embark on this new venture? In this reflective descanso, I am considering the resources that have served me well. I identify three psychological strengths (and at times weaknesses) as crucial to my development and wellbeing.

Stay tuned…

What are the layers in the landscape of your personal path?

What are the resources you call on to forge ahead?