What if I.....
.....ate cereal for lunch and sandwhiches for breakfast
.....did my morning things in the afternoon
.....read a book for an hour, in bed, and fell asleep
.....took a shower in the middle of the day
.....sat in the sun, closed my eyes, and thought about nothing at all
What if I left till tomorrow those things I could do today? Will my world as I know it spin apart?
Well, actually, no. One, I'm neither that important or that powerful to effect my world in such a dramatic way. And, two, I know this to be true because those are things I did today. I was slothful. I puttered. I napped. And do you know what? It felt pretty darned good.
You should try this. It's good for the mind and soul. Seriously, though, I think many of us feel a pressure to be productive all of the time. I know I was raised in an environment where idle hands are the devils workshop. My old life in the 9-5 world, where 5pm was a figment of my imagination, did nothing but reinforce my early training. Old convictions are hard to put to rest. But I think we all need to give some thought to nurturing ourselves with little breaks. Little moments of nothingness.
The things I put off today are still there for tomorrow. The world is completely unaffected by my days dalliance. So I think I'll just finish off this perfectly slothful day with a bit of mindless television.
16 comments:
Oh so very true "Little Grasshopper" When we first retired and moved here LW was forever going on about how he got nothing done on his "To Do" list for the day. Finally a number of months later he was so frustrated and asked me if I had any suggestions to get more accomplished. I said sure "throw the freaken lists away and decide it's a good day when you accomplish one thing, doesn't matter what. Dang it worked. Now when I declare that it's a beach day, LW is the first one to grab the beach tote and head out the door!! :)
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.
Ah yes, my friend Pattie, it is essential to throw away the to do list. They are good in some ways but very unhealthy if you become a slave and forget to look around and just enjoy the moment.
Good for you LeAnn!! I envy you today! Almost every weekend I say I am going to do what you did today, basically nothing...but it NEVER happens...I constantly feel the self inflicted pressure to MAKE something.
WHY?? I think I have a fear that if I don't do something...I'll lose it forever. Do you feel that way?!
Oh yes, Sharon, I feel that too sometimes. But you know, I had a few years where I didn't make anything. I wanted to but I had too much else on my plate. When I allow myself the time to do nothing the ideas for the things I make come.
You go girl!! Do a little for me while you are at it ;)
marie
LeAnn, I look at these days as the ones that charge the batteries ... you know, for the rabid rat days!
Nice, super nice!!!
I just started doing a To-Do list. It lasted all of one day. Today I am feeling the pressure of having to get certain things done by tonight. I don't like pressure and deadlines.
I took a break and came over to visit. *grin* Now it's back to work for me.
We should all follow from your example. It's 11pm but I could really use some pancakes and syrup right now. :)
What a wonderful way to spend the day!(And BTW, you are important...) Good for you, dear LeAnn. Letting go of all the "must do's" makes room for other thoughts - which will turn into "want to do's"!
Leann.. you are right and 100 times right!! i agree with each word.. we are not ROBOTS... all that we create is on our mind, so if our mind is tired.. our hands too.. take a pause is essential..
have a nice day!
LeAnn my post-script to my post today is about how few open hours I usually have - I enjoyed the vacation last week and it made me thing along the same lines.
(by the way is that YOUR mug ... I know I'm not supposed to be focused on the mug but I can't help myself, it's GORGEOUS)
Yes and thanks, Lynn, that is my mug from a series of work I did a few years ago. I am lazy and haven't finished up the process I need to do to make them again. Someday?
Ooooh...a nap. I remember naps. They were great.
thank you, thank you, thank you!!
why do we feel so guilty for taking care of ourselves? congratulations to you for just doing it (and not because you were sick in bed and had no other choice!) ... it is so programmed into our psyches in the u.s. that we must be productive... but bodies and minds can only handle so much... what a wonderful post - brava to you!
what if every morning i did the first few hours of work in my pajamas? oh wait, i do. and what if my favorite cold weather supper was pancakes? tst, it is. i think the best part of getting older is just knowing how to do what you please.
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