I like to coast. Putting my brain in neutral seems the ultimate luxury. But, I ask myself, am I nurturing an idleness which does not fully relax or sustain? Could there be other activities, beside being prone on a couch, which provide a refreshing break from demanding jobs?
One of the hard things about having a word like nurture as a guide, is the fact that it is a verb. There is action intended. But when I am coasting mentally I perceive that I am not taking action.
Doing nothing is impossible. If I am just lying around I most likely am thinking, which can cause my body to react as I tense around difficult thoughts. If I am watching television I am watching fictional characters live their lives and still my body is reacting to the tension or pleasure the characters encounter.
Doing or acting can be equally relaxing. Just lately I learned a Bach Two Part Invention in 10 days. I noticed that in the morning I looked forward to playing the piece again because I was progressing incrementally. A peace settled into my body as sections of the music spilled out of my hands like water. Some days the work was slower but the joy increased.
Reading could be idleness. What we hound our children to do, we as adults often label as a luxury. "How do you find time to read?" I nurture the time to read. I take care to organize my day to allow reading. Is this nurturing idleness?
Or what about the seven days, yes, seven days, that I have logged meditating this last year? No action, just sitting observing my thoughts. How idle is that?
I think I am nurturing, not idleness, but internal satisfaction, the ability to be content without the constant to-do list. And, there are ways to relax and sustain more satisfying than others.
As this is the last post in June, and since I was looking at negative things I may be nurturing, I am content to reveal that I nurture more positive things in my life than negative. Whew!
Reading could be idleness. What we hound our children to do, we as adults often label as a luxury. "How do you find time to read?" I nurture the time to read. I take care to organize my day to allow reading. Is this nurturing idleness?
Or what about the seven days, yes, seven days, that I have logged meditating this last year? No action, just sitting observing my thoughts. How idle is that?
I think I am nurturing, not idleness, but internal satisfaction, the ability to be content without the constant to-do list. And, there are ways to relax and sustain more satisfying than others.
As this is the last post in June, and since I was looking at negative things I may be nurturing, I am content to reveal that I nurture more positive things in my life than negative. Whew!
Yes, this: "I think I am nurturing, not idleness, but internal satisfaction, the ability to be content without the constant to-do list. And, there are ways to relax and sustain more satisfying than others." Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am deeply appreciative of knowing that this made sense to you.
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