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Being versus doing.
Eckhart Tolle's book The New Earth talks about the shift from doing to being and how it can elevate our everyday lives enabling us to fully appreciate the present.
The concept seems simple enough, but after listening recently to someone in a nearby conversation talk about how she feels guilty if she is not doing something (for example, taking a nap would be impossible for her to partake in as her guilt would be immense), I began to ponder the root of feeling guilty for not "doing".
Unfortunately, I don't think this woman is alone in her thinking, as I will confess, I too for much of my twenties felt the conflict, and perhaps it was guilt, for not being on task, focused on a project, a job or a chore during my waking hours. However, I also, at the same time, was not comfortable with this approach to living - constantly "doing" didn't feel right, yet the culture seemed to encourage it
obsessively from the media, to the books, to the people I was around at the time. Since constantly running from being didn't sit well with me, and gradually, as I have written and shared on the blog, I began to question this need to do, this need to be busy.
What I discovered was what is at the foundation of living simply luxuriously, a life well lived is not full of more and constant "doing", but instead of quality, thoughtful living. And not all living needs us to be physically in motion. Yes, we do need to exercise regularly, and yes, there will be regular chores to attend to, but sitting down and relaxing regularly, or taking time for self-care in any one of the
many forms that enables each of us to rejuvenate are just as crucial to our well-being. And there's that word again - being.
Being exhibits a calm and clarity about ourselves, and in order to become comfortable with being full present in the moment, we have to stop busying our mind by busying our feet or our hands. Sometimes we stay busy doing so that we won't have to confront what needs our attention in order to grow, in order to understand or in order to find peace. And when we find each of these (growth, understanding and
peace) and work through the challenges to attain them, we can find more comfort in the being because we are at peace with ourselves, with where we find ourselves and can then take in all that is around us at this very moment.
Speaking of rejuvenating, Wednesday's post shares eight ways to find the energy for the rest of the week that may have drained far too quickly due to either Daylight Saving Time or any other life situation. Home decor has been on my mind as of late, and so in this week's podcast episode discover ways to create a sanctuary that speaks of your life's journey while also being welcoming to guests. This week's This
& That is full as well with new premieres of shows worth checking out, and books as well that are both new and well-loved whether you want to travel to Italy, understand where creatives find their inspiration or better understand how to know with certainty what the finer things are to welcome into your home.
Now, on to the newsletter! Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you for subscribing. Until next Friday, I'll see you on the blog.
