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
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