NOTHING AND SOMETHING

TRY TO FIND THE LADY BUG IN THE PHOTOGRAPH

NOTHING AND SOMETHING

Husband, “What are you doing?” Girls next door, “Gwennie, I ‘ve finished my homework. What are we going to do now?” Son, “Mom, what ‘cha doing?”  Friends “What are you up to?” My answer is seldom, “NOTHING!” I always have something to do, and I will find something for the girls to do because there is always something to be done and doing nothing signals uselessness. On the other hand, a “nothing” reply is an open invitation for others to ask me to do something. The practice of doing nothing is frowned on culturally and those who practice it do so privately. This is one of the disservices to society that we have perpetuated upon ourselves, and our children aided by handheld electronics. Practicing nonproductivity even for a short time is almost taboo. What a loss at any age.

Just as intriguing, however, is doing something just for the pleasure of doing it and expecting “nothing” of value from it other than the pleasure of doing something that you love or haven’t done before. Which brings me to another question that I am asked often. “What are you going to do with that when it is finished?  Can you turn that into a money maker? What do you expect to gain from that? Replying “NOTHING! causes eyebrows to rise and may elicit unsolicited advice that begins with, “you could …”

Here’s a caveat to ponder: Doing “NOTHING” – letting whatever is happening happen without your active intervention or input -- can become a very productive use of time.

My husband, even though he will ask me, “what are you doing or are you busy?” multiple times a day, is taking an indefinite sabbatical from the workforce, otherwise known as retirement. He reports that he is remembering things that he hasn’t thought of in years. He spends time doing nothing (it would appear to me) …I am not judging him. His outcome has led me to believe that doing nothing has the potential to create a portal to recover and remember events stored in the crevices and cracks of the mind. This is a luxury that is available to him and he chooses to engage. I, on the other hand, have a plan for most of my waking hours. How do I do nothing?

I like to handwrite- pen to paper. Something is pacified in me when I see black ink form words on the gray lines of off-white paper. What am I going to do with the filled notebooks that I have accumulated? Nothing. This came as a revelation to me – I have been emptied of any intention of doing anything with most of what I write. Writing is the space in my mind where I am free to roam and my fingers respond.

Life is swift – busy and honestly deserves moments of doing nothing. Read for the joy of reading- not to be a better leader. Cook for the pleasure of cooking not because you have a family to feed. Sit and stare out the upstairs window because the window is there and not because you are looking for something. Snatch a moment every now and then to startle others when they ask, “what are you doing?” with a reply of “NOTHING,” and no guilt attached. It is just another small but significant way to add balance your life.

Jeremiah 31:25

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Perhaps doing NOTHING is a path to restoration.

WHERE IS THE LADYBUG?