Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Art of Doing Nothing

I think I'm going to write a how to book. It will be called "The Art of Doing Nothing: A Guide for Adults". Most adults feel like they have to be accomplishing something, but it's not always necessary. It's hard work doing nothing.  Really. It's difficult shutting down those voices in my head ordering me to: do the dishes, make my bed, pick up Chloe's toys, read, write, walk, dust, vacuum....

Instead, I will just breathe and:  feel the wind in my face, put up my feet, and let my mind roll with the waves. The I will watch the birds fly, Chloe sleep, the flags fly, the boats bob, the buoy dance, and wonder if the pink tube will blow away. Lastly, I will watch the shade move around table.

Some would call this avoidance. I call it, the art of doing nothing....

15 comments:

  1. Ahhh the luxury of having the time to do "nothing." However, your list of what you will do during the time of nothing sounds delightful. Love that you will watch the shadow move around the table! Enjoy!!

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  2. I believe your list might lengthen, too! I'd love to buy such a how-to book. Maybe it will help calm those voices. Thank you for giving us an introduction. You sound nice & relaxed!

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  3. Forgot to tell you congratulations on your 100th posting! Happy writing!

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  4. Your post is close to my own thinking at this time. The Art of Doing Nothing is one that I aspire to excel in. Not because I'm lazy, but because I'd like to shed that continuous need to confirm myself.

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  5. Your book sounds like a perfect addition to a teacher's must read list.

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  6. You really do need to get proficient at it, too, otherwise you will LOOK like you are doing nothing, but the voices are not turned off. So the doing nothing is really aggravating instead of calming!
    Keep working at it! You sound like you are on your way to a black belt in relaxation!

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  7. I can definitely connect with you today. First, I have perfected the art of doing nothing. Today this includes listening to music while I read blogs and comment on others' blogs while I avoid writing on mine!

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  8. I knew there were others out there like me! It is soul refreshing to be able to do nothing

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  9. I've been goal oriented this summer but I think tomorrow my goal will be Doing Nothing. It can be so difficult as an adult to do nothing.

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  10. The book is needed in this busy busy world. I have become pretty good at doing nothing without feeling guilty. To make it sound better I say that sometimes I just want to be and not to do.
    Congratulations on your 100th post. Keep writing.
    Terje

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  11. Love this Deb! I laughed at how some may call it avoidance, but not you! Very clever in deed. It is an art -- now become the master!

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  12. Happy 100th post. I love that you are able to enjoy this art form. I wish that I could turn the voices off. Maybe I need to purchase your book. ;)

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  13. Congratulations on your milestone. I'm always feeling guilty for having an unplanned day and try to make lists of things to do. When the weather breaks, I plan on sitting out on my screened in porch among the old, old trees and sit, watch the birds visit my feeder and listen to the wind. I’ll let you know how long I last, I’m betting 2 hours. :>)

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  14. Thank you for checking out my blog, I do One Sunflower too, but have been feeling a need to write in different ways! Wonder when I'll hit my 100th entry. Doing nothing is way more challenging than one would think - (hence my two blogs.) Maybe I need your book!

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  15. I would totally buy your book--I think it's a lesson we all need to learn (by "we" I mean me....).
    Fabulous post!

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