Volume

If you’ve been to a dance club in the last 25 years, you have heard a DJ (that’s a disc jockey, grampa) playing electronic music. The DJ’s job is to keep everyone hyped and continuously build energy in the crowd. Something pretty incredible happens in the midst of the mayhem. Impossibly, every song plays louder than the last one.

While this seems like the experience, it isn’t. The DJ imperceptibly reduces the volume of the song playing. The next song actually starts at the same volume as the previous one. It only seems much louder from not noticing the volume change. This aural illusion surges the energy of the room.

Sometimes I get lost in the noise of my life. I may not notice the ups and downs if I’m not paying attention. I might even tune out my surroundings as I grow accustomed to my routine. I then forget I am even in a routine. The patterns of behaviors cause me to forget I am in control. I look at others and see them playing each song louder than the last.

I am not noticing their rest built into their cycle. I may be neglecting my own. Sometimes for the next song to be louder, I need to turn down this one. Things aren’t always what they seem is especially true if I am not mindfully attentive.

Am I deliberately engaged in my effort? Have I adequately rested? Will I take control of my volume?

Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.