A Good View of Doing….

New routes to new lessons to a good view ("mia kali thea")

view of almost empty desk with a single desk lamp

…nothing. He was just sitting at his clean desk with only a small desk lamp to light the dark room. And, it was quiet—no radio, no TV, no computer. After a long day of travel, this was the scene we saw that evening when we walked into my 93 year old father-in-law’s assisted living apartment. It looked so sad and lonely.

Or was it?

We were talking about the scene later. Why wasn’t he reading or watching the news or working a puzzle…anything?

I’m a victim to my own need for noise and things to do. I simply don’t sit in the quiet and wait—for thoughts & feelings to arise, to listen—to the sounds in my heart or out the window, to doze, to dream, for kids to arrive.

We have so many options available to teach us how to make the most of our time, to “be still,” to “sit in the silence,” to meditate and to breathe. I often want to take a break for “doing nothing” but why is it so difficult to sit for a few minutes, to relax and take time—in the quiet. What am I afraid of?

Trees showing through the fog and reflecting in a lake in South Carolina — Foggy morning in South Carolina

Deep down, perhaps I think it’s sad and lonely and wasteful to have nothing to do. If I listen to my fear, what if I hear: “I don’t matter or have anything meaningful to contribute” or “I’m wasting my time”? What if I simply listen…and get clarification of my thoughts, feelings and ideas? What if I simply enjoy the peace?

I don’t know if he was thinking great thoughts, dreaming dreams or if he felt sad and lonely; but I can follow his example—to sit in the quiet in an uncluttered space and wait.

Where did I find mia kali thea that evening?

In a dark and quiet room where my sweet father-in-law waited to welcome us with a hug. (And I think he considers us a good view too.)

Maybe doing nothing is about being quiet—and waiting for what arrives!

In any case, it is very important to be idle with confidence, with devotion, possibly even with joy. The days when even our hands do not stir are so exceptionally quiet that it is hardly possible to raise them without hearing a whole lot.”

― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters on Life

Priceless: the value of a good view

New routes to new lessons to a good view ("mia kali thea")

Bright sun in partly cloudy winter sky shining over snowy trees and ground. — Fairbanks, Alaska

A good view changes us—our perspective, our mood, our health and hearts. That’s the power of mia kali thea—a good view creates good change.

I learned the concept of mia kali thea (link to the “about the name”) when I lived in Greece for a couple of years. When discussing a restaurant or hotel or home or coffee shop, my Greek friends would ask: is there a good view? Did you have a good view? It was a tangible and common conversation point.

As it’s a basic Greek concept, here are the “5 Ws” of mia kali thea according to my friends:

The who, what and where and when of a good view (a very abridged list!):

a cup of coffee with friends
Sunrises and sunsets
A good book
Travel
good food
Something that can change with the season or mood

How does mia kali thea change you and why is it important (another short list)?

it gives hope
it calms and lifts hearts
it creates good emotions
it helps me travel in my imagination

What can we learn from this?

Bright sun shining on sunflower field, Platamonas, Greece — Sunflower field, Platamonas, Greece

As you see, mia kali thea is varied: it’s big, it’s little, it’s seasonal, it’s grand and not so grand, it can be shared and it can be a solitary appreciation, it’s found at home or afield.

A good view is good for us; we can feel the change in ourselves and even those around us. It’s readily available but it does require a stop or slowing (at the very least!) to catch it and recognize it’s value.

A good view can feel amorphous and intangible but it has been studied and quantified. Patients heal faster and workers’ moods improve when they have a good view. Researchers studying the concept of “awe” and associated positive emotions (e.g. from faith, viewing nature or art, listening to good music) show that we can lower our body’s inflammatory responses, we become more generous and socially conscious, we feel like we have more time, that our regular experience of awe is an incredible predictor of and is essential for good health. Here’s a good article on how to add more awe to your life.

In short, a good view is good medicine! It’s powerful and priceless, isn’t it?

Of course the Greeks have lived this idea for years and they look for a good view wherever and whenever it comes. I believe it’s one of the many reasons they are so open and generous. I thank them for sharing this concept with me; because of them my heart grew exponentially while I was there. It took me a long time to slow down enough to understand; perhaps that’s why we talked about it so much! Though I’m still learning, it’s lodged in my heart and driving my creative process.

Everyone needs hope and a heart lift.

Everyone needs a change in perspective, a moment to see something new, a bit of serendipity.

Everyone needs mia kali thea—a good view.

Many of us have the luxury to consider where we will find a good view and the meaning of it. However, many struggle daily hoping for even the “light at the end of the tunnel”—a symbolic good view. They want a new view of freedom or safety instead of a life of slavery or human trafficking (link to about the org here).

There is power in the mission of Mia Kali Thea; for those who need a new view, we can help exchange a sad view for a good view (link to about the org).

Today, where will you find the priceless power of mia kali thea?