The Art of Doing "Nothing"

Now that I'm on my Christmas Vacation I've been thinking a lot about how difficult it is for us to "just be"... To take moments in our day to do "just nothing." We are so programmed to "do" - to being always "busy", that we forget how important it is to rest, to take it easy at times and just learn the "Art of Doing Nothing." It is an "art" in my book, because it takes time for us to learn how to do it; especially in our country. Americans learn at a very early age to live on a schedule; whether it is to go to day care, to nursery school, to kindergarten, to elementary school, to high school, to college, to work. We always have to follow a strict schedule (at least most of us). We have to use every moment of our day in an efficient way, as if it were a sin to waste our "precious" time.

My daughters, for instance, feel funny when they're not doing "something" all the time - even if it's just watching TV. I tell them that it's okay to relax some times and just enjoy some free time. They shouldn't feel bored. We have to learn to take time for ourselves, not only to do the things we like to do; but just to "be" alone, reflect and take some time to just think. We can also do the things we don't normally have the time to do: like writing an e-mail or letter to a friend, reading a great book (or one of the many books or magazines in our collection - even if it's just a paragraph or two), calling someone, writing something, meditating or praying, or just being.

Well, I've decided that from now on -a New Year's resolution of sorts- I won't worry so much about wasting my time. I work hard enough when I'm at work, and also at home -most of my days- so that when I'm "on vacation" (and even when I'm not) I'll try to enjoy relaxing moments. I'll try not to worry so much about "just chilling", reading a book, watching TV, doing things with my family or just sitting in front of the computer (like I'm doing right now) typing and expressing my thoughts in my blogs - or just finding idle moments to feel that I'm alive, that I'm breathing, that "I am." Time when even if I'm not doing what others consider super-useful or important things; I'm still doing the things that are important to me - things that I like to do. We don't always have to feel judged or criticized... we can just BE.

Some things can wait 'til tomorrow. We can certainly do tomorrow what we cannot do today (instead of the other way around). As long as we don't become super-procrastinators or get too distracted with many senseless activities, we can enjoy some free time. Our lives are already extremely busy most of the time; full of stress just as they are. I know it's hard when you always have someone reminding you "to do": you have to do this, you have to do that... But, no matter what, let's try to find those very special moments. Those special peaceful moments of "nothingness" and of "just being", because they're truly precious too. In fact, they're essential to our well-being. Let's embrace them and enjoy them; let's learn this art that is already easy for others, but not for me; and maybe not for you.

Check the following for inspiration: "The Art of Doing Nothing - Washington Post"
"The Art of Doing Nothing - Book"
"The Art of Doing Nothing - Zen Habits"
(Well, it looks like many others have already considered and studied this idea - check it out or just Google it).

"It is a sacred assignment to rescue the crumbs of our souls that have been kicked under the table by too much activity and too little aloneness, and to collect and kiss them all better." (Sue Patton Thoele - "The Woman's Book of Soul")