I’ve always known that there is a distinct possibility that I am a bit “different” than other people. Most day’s I’m ok with that. In fact most day’s I prefer “finding my own way” too trying to fit in the mold that the rest of the world seems to want to put me in.
I was reminded of this a week ago. My church has a “youth event” each spring that brings in a fairly large bunch of young people – full of energy and gung-ho about life. They come for a number of things, there is always a good speaker, good food, and hours upon hours of volleyball…
When I was younger I really enjoyed this event. It was a chance for me to meet new people, experience good teaching and attempt to impress the girls from other communities with my ability to play volleyball (or lack there of).
The last number of years however it has become more of a chore for me to even attend. Whereas I used to find myself energized and refueled, it has become a thing that sucks the energy right out of me. (I’ve heard that this is a sign of an introvert… but whatever…)
At any rate, this year I attended the sessions on Saturday morning and ran the sound like I normally do. After lunch and one final session… I’d had enough. Everyone else headed over to the gym for volleyball, I got in my car and headed home.
I stopped at home for a little, but I had a feeling growing in my gizzard (a place somewhere between the gut and the soul). It was a feeling that it was time to drive… something that has become kind of therapeutic for me over the past 7 or 8 years.
And so I got in my car, filled it up with gas in Rustburg, grabbed a soda and small bag of chips and drove.
As I drove I did a number of things, just thought for a while, had a conversation with God, cried a bit (not advised while driving), and listened to music and sang along.
Where was I driving? Well that almost wasn’t even important at this point, but as happens often when this “urge to drive” hits me, I found myself on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The slow speeds and occasional incredible views are to me like a cool salve on a fresh burn… soothing and relaxing.
At some point it started to get dark and I took that as my cue to turn my car around and head back towards home. When I finally did get home I’d been on the road for about 6 hours… I didn’t particularly cover a bunch of miles, but slow driving on the park way does add up.
More importantly though, I felt sane again. I was revitalized and reenergized.
We all get “re-filled” or “re-centered” or “re-vitalized” in different ways, at different points in my life I find myself being reenergized in completely different ways. Some times it’s a conversation with a friend, other times it’s a walk around downtown, occasionally it is simply completing a personal project – other days it’s me, my car and the open road.
…any way… I guess I say all that to say that it’s ok if you need some time to yourself. I believe it’s normal and can be a really good way to recharge…
What’s your “go to” method of revitalization?
p.s. If you’d like to listen to this years sessions from the youth rally you can find them right here. 🙂
The only thing missing is your voice!