Hi Friends,
Whew. It’s been a month already hasn’t it?
I’m currently in Turin, Italy where I have been since arriving on November 5. I left Scotland, where I had been since early September, on November 1 and did a quick weekend transition in Milan before taking the train to Torino [or Turin]. This is my second year in Turin and upon my arrival I felt like I was being welcomed back with a warm hug. Such is the feeling that Italy gives me.
On this Saturday (as I’m writing this), after a huge, emotional full moon and a huge, emotional week (give or take), I’m taking an intentional pause.
Taking a pause in Italy is natural. Taking a pause is deeply imbedded in their culture that I love so much. The relaxed “I don’t have anywhere to be besides being here with you enjoying this cappuccino” of it all is everywhere I look. To sit with your people or book/newspaper (newspapers are still very much alive here) or your dog, freakishly chill compared to US dogs, in cafes; taking walks arm in arm along the river Po, watching the rowers - who perhaps are in motion but also relaxed in taking time doing something they love. All of it feels like a pause - from the hectic-ness that is modern life in the 21st century.
As I watch people come and go from my favorite spot for coffee and brioche in Turin, even when they come in for a coffee standing at the bar, there is a relaxed ease to the pause.
Needing the Pause
I have been doing very intentional work to calm and nourish my nervous system, which has been alerting me that it is overtaxed - sometimes in very alarming ways.
It was in October that I discover the book, ‘Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve” by Stanley Rosenberg. I’m not sure where I saw it referenced. I was googling and youtubing “calming my nervous system” on the regular. But I think it was a video on youtube that demonstrated a variation the basic exercise and that led me to Stanley Rosenberg. I promptly purchased the book and I read the ENTIRE thing in 24 hours. I was eager (perhaps desperate is a better word) to understand what was going on in my mind and body that seemed were spiraling faster and faster out of control and constantly on high-alert. As I read this book and learned about the exercises to help calm your nervous system, I was a bit skeptical that these exercises, so easy and quick, could make a real difference. But I certainly didn’t have anything to lose and so I began.
4 exercises: the basic; the 1/2 Salamander; the Salamander and SCM for Stiff Neck took me less than 10 minutes and changed my life. An hour later I wasn’t the same person. I was astonished. Many of my troubling symptoms diminished by over half and I felt better than I had in weeks.
I now call these vagus nerve exercises my daily pause. Where I spend intentional time nourishing my nervous system. I’m so grateful for this discovery and for how it is helping me with the overwhelm I sometimes feel in my brain and body. Especially days when I feel like I’m living ‘neck up’ and just in my head.
It is a lot to be in the world right now. We need all the help we can get.
Pause. Nourish. Take some time.
I’m so grateful to be here in Italy again - my 4th winter! Who knew? I did not know this would be my life even in the summer of 2021 right before I decided to “go to Italy” that autumn because I had never been and I felt like I was being called to. Some people thought I was a little crazy, going off solo to Italy during the still happening pandemic but it was one of the very best things I’ve done. Saying yes to myself, listening to my inner voice and just making it happen.
So, I’m here again and feeling wrapped up in the pause of it all, and taking my cues from the lovely folks in Torino. I’ve been here less than 2 weeks and already have a familiarity with the people at my favorite restaurant - today the bar was quite full and I was waiting my turn to order when the barista put my cappuccino down in front of me - he already had my order going without me asking.
The very efficient and wonderful woman who runs the show at my favorite spot welcomed me in with a Buongiorno - è bello vederti - “lovely to see you”.
I am feeling held in this space and time. And the daily reminders to pause and just enjoy moments in life - an excellent cappuccino - a sweet dog pressing his cold, wet nose into my hand - a warm greeting - and very lively calls of “Grazie Arrevaderci! Buono Giornata! as I walk out the door.
I’m deeply grateful and appreciative of the good and nourishing and the magic of the pause. I’m going to be doing more of it.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time, Buona Sera.
First, my mind can picture, smell, taste, and enjoy all of the things you mention here about Italy! I visited a year ago in October and long to go back already. Secondly, what a great phrase you have here in "...living from the neck up"; I will tuck that in my card catalogue to use in the future. I often find myself living there with the need to pause. Because of that, I plan on looking for the book you mention here. Hopefully, though not sitting with it in Italy, it will help me, too.