On Being Idle
I just got through reading a very interesting book from a British writer Tom Hodgkinson, entitled, How To Be Idle. Although he made some wonderful points, it might be a book only a writer can truly relate to. With chapters such as, Waking Up is Hard to Do, The Death of Lunch, The Nap, and On Being Ill, just to name a few, he speaks of the importance of doing nothing, laying in bed until late in the day, and how busy people miss so much.
As I say, he makes many good points, although I cannot say I agree with all of his commentaries; I can see how someone who is not a writer would have quite the ambivalent reaction to being so sloth. Who wouldn’t want to spend most of the day observing, resting, thinking, and taking long lunches? In today’s (and according to the author, especially American) society, most people feel the need to be busy or they feel they may lose. Lose that big break, lose time, lose the opportunity, and lose the job…
As a writer, there is great merit in losing. Losing the busy schedule so we can observe, contemplate our thoughts, and create. For those choosing to not use the creative side of their brain, it may appear as if we are too freely lounging, sipping tea (or coffee), and making up stories to fill our day. Anyone who does write for a living, or even for their own enjoyment knows, there is much labor to those well thought out words placed in just the right order to best convey our thoughts - and that takes some contemplation.
Those of you that know me, know I love quotes and here is one I think sums it all up.
“A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is visible labor and there is invisible labor.” – Victor Hugo
Go be invisible…
© March 10, 2008 Marie Boyum
Roger Housden makes similar observations in his book “Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living” (Chapter 5, The Pleasure of Doing Nothing Useful). He quotes Franz Kafka: You need not leave your room. Remain seated at your table and listen. You need not even listen; simply wait. You need not even wait; just be quiet, still, and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
Carl Honore addresses this in his book “In Praise of Slowness: how a worldwide movement is challenging the cult of speed”. We’ve all over scheduled our lives, and search for faster ways to accomplish these multiple takes. It has become a fast food drive-thru mentality to living. A family member once pointed out that I thrived on the chaos a “full plate” of activities gave my life. He was right. I seemed to always take on just one more thing. But eventually, I had to shut down and withdraw just to find balance.
We have become a culture addicted to busy and hectic schedules. Ask anyone to take out their calendars, and you’ll find them chock full of “important” dates, obligations, and appointments. Does anyone just make time to listen? To contemplate? To relax? To enjoy a sunrise or sunset? Or even to let themselves fall in love? Is it any wonder that writers question why we never have the time nor energy to write?
Comment by S'zanne M'Chel — March 20, 2008 @ 4:13 am
It’s so tempting to be busy. Us writers come to writing with skills in so many areas - areas with high demand. It’s so easy to say yes to every community project that commands our attention.
Since a business venture I attempted to launch last week didn’t go as planned, I’ve had the luxury of sleeping in every day, of going to bed early, of spending leisurely time with friends.
And, most important, in over the past 8 days I’ve managed to take 40 steps toward completing my memoir, something I’d let slip between the cracks of a self-imposed busy life.
Comment by danielgtaylor — March 27, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
That’s great that you have been able to live some of your passions and take care of yourself! You should find that that brings you more of what you truly want out of life. I’d love to hear how things progress, and if you can continue to recognize the things you need to say no to. Have you read, “How Did I Get So Busy?” by Valorie Burton? It has some great tips.
Marie
Comment by thriftynaturalist — March 27, 2008 @ 4:15 pm