Lofoten

There’s beauty in simplicity

During my time in Lofoten, I learnt a lesson.
One which has undoubtedly shaped my life - but we will get to that.

Lofoten came at an interesting time in my life.

From my first exam, I felt forced through the corridors of life.

No room for failure, relentless progression and never looking back.

Revise; exam; figure out life. Revise; exam; figure out life.

Next, next, next.

Overwhelming.

But then I stopped.

I needed to.

Off I went with Jack to Lofoten. We got a ferry in the top of the islands. 10 days later, another from the bottom.

The voices of life quietened for those days. The corridors widened - it was primaeval.

All we cared about were the essentials.

How far did we have to walk, did we have enough food?

Where would we camp and was there water?

And then I was surrounded. Massive granitic shards puncture the ocean, flushed by the evening rays.

I took a few pictures and happy with what I got, made a start back down.

“Stop - sit down and enjoy the moment.” Jack's soft voice drifted through the silence.

In that moment I realised: we can't charge through life looking for the next high.
We need to be present in the moment, soak it all in.

We sat there for hours in silence. Watching the sun skim the horizon but never set.

We soaked in those early morning rays as the sun began its journey back into the sky.

Get out there - breathe that sweet lucid air.

Take a moment - a long one.

Sit quietly for while and contemplate that precious stillness that is oh-so-rare in this modern world!