Summer: To Do or Not to Do
By Leah Light, © 2003
It is high summer and I am decidedly lazy. There are a number of projects I could and should do, but at the moment I have neither the energy nor the inclination to tackle anything. I could make myself wrong for this. And the old me most certainly would have. I used to be caught up in the productive, busy-busy, achievement mode. God forbid that I should pause to catch my breath. At the time, I shared this on the phone with a friend of mine who had moved to Alaska. “I feel guilty,” I confessed, “if I'm not doing something productive every minute of the day.”
My friend chuckled (I could see almost her rolling her eyes). “Sounds like Lower 48 Mentality to me,” she had replied. In Alaska they're pretty laid back, and healthier for it, I'm sure. Fortunately since those days I've learned some balance along the way. If I don't feel like doing anything, I need to honor that instead of pushing on and overriding what may be an important message. Maybe I simply need to break routine and recharge my batteries. Or maybe I'm depressed and if so, what's that about? Is there a need that's not being met, some old emotional business to clear?
Naturally if not doing gets to be a pattern that interferes with my ability to earn a living or otherwise function, that's definitely something to look at. But most times the deadlines and pressures we place on ourselves are self-induced. When viewed from a higher perspective, will it really matter if I don't get everything on my ‘to do' list done today? Will the world fall apart? I doubt it. Chances are if I allow some healthy ‘not doing', one day very soon I will awaken full of energy, ready to take on anything and everything.
Summer is an excellent time for not doing. For playing and soaking up some rays. For just being. For connecting with nature. For vacations. That's why we call it recreation. It re-creates and replenishes our energies. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy a glass of iced tea out on my deck and listen to the birds sing. Care to join me sometime?
It is high summer and I am decidedly lazy. There are a number of projects I could and should do, but at the moment I have neither the energy nor the inclination to tackle anything. I could make myself wrong for this. And the old me most certainly would have. I used to be caught up in the productive, busy-busy, achievement mode. God forbid that I should pause to catch my breath. At the time, I shared this on the phone with a friend of mine who had moved to Alaska. “I feel guilty,” I confessed, “if I'm not doing something productive every minute of the day.”
My friend chuckled (I could see almost her rolling her eyes). “Sounds like Lower 48 Mentality to me,” she had replied. In Alaska they're pretty laid back, and healthier for it, I'm sure. Fortunately since those days I've learned some balance along the way. If I don't feel like doing anything, I need to honor that instead of pushing on and overriding what may be an important message. Maybe I simply need to break routine and recharge my batteries. Or maybe I'm depressed and if so, what's that about? Is there a need that's not being met, some old emotional business to clear?
Naturally if not doing gets to be a pattern that interferes with my ability to earn a living or otherwise function, that's definitely something to look at. But most times the deadlines and pressures we place on ourselves are self-induced. When viewed from a higher perspective, will it really matter if I don't get everything on my ‘to do' list done today? Will the world fall apart? I doubt it. Chances are if I allow some healthy ‘not doing', one day very soon I will awaken full of energy, ready to take on anything and everything.
Summer is an excellent time for not doing. For playing and soaking up some rays. For just being. For connecting with nature. For vacations. That's why we call it recreation. It re-creates and replenishes our energies. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy a glass of iced tea out on my deck and listen to the birds sing. Care to join me sometime?