The Appearance of Doing Nothing

Keeping busy seems to be the main objective of most people. We don’t like to be bored, so our plates are full of activities. We equate boredom with doing nothing, but I think it’s different. Sitting alone pondering your life and future is valuable. It might seem like you're doing nothing, but you’re resting your mind and body. Allowing yourself to create and imagine new things that only a quiet mind can hear. There’s no need to be afraid of doing nothing.

     I wonder how many people really sit alone thinking without the aid of an electronic device? Very few, I imagine since smartphones have taken over our lives. Our brains are cluttered with many things, so doing nothing will help cleanse your mind. Yes, I’m retired and have more time to do nothing. I can’t argue with that, but we all spend a lot of time on the Internet and social media. Our phones remind us every day of how much time we spend Internet surfing. It could be beneficial to use some of that time doing nothing but thinking.

     There’s a saying, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” It’s a biblical saying, but I dispute the statement because it’s negative and implies our thoughts always go toward evil. Nothing would be done without thinking about it first. Many problems have been solved as we sit idle, just thinking.

     If your concerned about the appearance of doing nothing. Take a walk leave your earbuds at home and let your mind wander while you walk. 

     So, next time you’re bored, don’t pick up your phone. Turn off all electronics and let your mind wander off to nowhere or everywhere. It might be an enlightening experience. Don't let the appearance of doing nothing keep you from thinking. “Just Saying . . .”

Calm or Chaotic

Life has changed for me like it does for everyone as they age. For me everything has slowed down, and become more calm. When I was young with kids, work, and the many activities we did as a family it was chaotic. Exhausting in some ways, but always fun. 

     Now I have more time to pursue my hobbies, time to rest, time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. But sometimes I miss the chaos. There are still moments in my life when I experience the chaos while attending a party, but I am just an observer. I watch and laugh at the chaotic activities and antics of the young. It’s a great feeling that brings me back to why family is the most important thing in my life. Don’t get me wrong I like the calm in my life, but the occasional chaos is like the cherry on top. I laugh more with family and sleep better on those nights. 

     We don’t always agree, but that’s not important because we’re together enjoying the moment. I’m lucky. Some people don’t have the same family relationship that I do. I hope that those people who have a broken family connection can repair it. Life is better when your connected to others. Enjoy the chaos at the party but leave it there for the young crowd so you can return to the calm. “Just Saying . . . .”

George, the Thinking Man

This is a technology packed world and George is a young man with an old soul. Sure, he owns all the latest electronic gadgets, but he is a deep thinker and often likes to get lost in his thoughts. 

     He is unusual in that way, because he puts his own ideas into his daily life. The Internet influences him less than most of his contemporaries. George knows information is good, but he is also aware that much of the Internet is tainted with lies. 

     He has learned that making a mistake can be a valuable lesson. George knows his failures make his successes all that much better, so he’s not afraid to step out of his comfort zone.

     He has many friends, but doesn’t show his “old soul” to many. George lives in two worlds, one filled with the latest high tech gadgets and the other filled with only his thoughts. He likes to write his thoughts and ideas in a journal, but it’s not a diary of his daily activities. A place where he keeps his worries, questions, solutions, things that make him smile, others that make him sad, and mostly his hopes and dreams. It’s a book that is for him alone, a book to help him understand the world, his book on life. His heart, soul and conscience laid out on paper.

     You are the lucky one if he shares his book with you. Don’t take it lightly. You may only get one chance to see George unmasked, one chance to understand him and one chance to understand yourself. 

     George isn’t good at sharing his life with others and I think there’s a little bit of that in all of us. Sharing your life with others might be what we need.  “Just Saying . . .”