Having flown home a day early to escape a Wisconsin blizzard, I faced a Maine snowstorm instead. It got me thinking about snow days. Remember when we were children and we prayed for snow days so we could stay home and do nothing? All we had to do was play. Nothing was planned for and nothing was expected of us.
These days, if the storm is particularly bad and we lose power for awhile, we’re afforded that same opportunity. Without electricity, there’s nothing to do—no work, no computers, no telephone (we need to conserve those batteries). All we can do is relax and do nothing.
But, that’s not always easy to do. Our Puritan ethic has us so programmed that if we’re not doing something or accomplishing something, our personal value is in question. And, unfortunately, that personal value has become tied to money, so we must also be earning something. Sitting and doing nothing, just being, has become an art form—it’s just not natural anymore.
With the Holidays fast approaching it’s even harder. So last night, home from work early to avoid the mess, did I relax and do nothing? Did I just enjoy the company of my husband? Oh no, I wrapped gifts for shipping, wrote Christmas cards and filled the time with doing. God forbid, I should just relax and enjoy the extra time. The Holidays easily push us into accomplishing something to earn our personal value—and there’s just so little time!
So this morning, I regret not taking advantage of some free time to do nothing. Nothing—like enjoying time for me, for family, for saying no to earning for a while. So, my early New Year’s resolution is to remember there’s more to life—much more—and to pray for more snow days!
To be or not to be—that is the question…
8 thoughts on “Snowy Simplicity”
Nicely said. It reminds me of a saying, “What if the hokey-pokey really IS what it’s all about?!”
You’re absolutely right! That’s always been one of my favorite sayings. And, it’s my sister’s bumper-sticker – maybe I picked up this train of thought riding in her car this weekend.
Nicely done. There is a similar problem when one retires.I have been so for 15 plus years, and my calendar is as full as when I was working.
I hadn’t thought of that before – if we don’t get the lesson now, it certainly would make retirement difficult!
Jane,
I also grew up with the Puritan Work ethic – work hard, do good and you will be rewarded. I was also a people pleaser and approval seeker. So, I worked extra hard to make people happy. I realized years ago that the more work I did for some of my clients the more I couldn’t please them or make them happy no matter how hard I tried. I used to get so angry and feel so resentful working so hard and instead of getting positive feedback, I got negative feedback that it still wasn’t perfect enough. I noticed that my self esteem was tied to this and it wasn’t making me very happy.
I also realized that my self worth was tied to my productivity. I had to learn that I was not my work or how much I did or did not do. I had to learn that who I am is more important than what I did or did not do. It is an ongoing process of being vs doing, but I like where it is headed…
Thank you for a wonderful reminder of being vs doing…
Hi Judy;
Always great to hear your persepctive. I so appreciate your taking the time to share with all of us.
Jane
Hi Jane,
How lovely & timely to receive this. I just subscribed so we can stay in touch.
Even tho I am a snake priestess and have the example of what it’s like to just “be here now” in the living form of my beautiful teachers, the serpents, I still find myself “doing” more than “being”. It is a predilection of humanity and our primarily left brained culture.
It takes attention to our intention and then following through with practice… which is what I understand you to be doing here in this blog post. I have only one strong suggestion: Let go of the regret aspect asap as it only serves to keep one away from being in the potential of the present moment. Instead continue to remind yourself that this episode is pointing you towards healthy change and focus on what you will do when you take the time to just be here now.
Hmmm….and I can’t resist mentioning that a snake journey ALWAYS brings one into an embodied beingness in the power of the present moment!
Serpentessa
Great advice. New mantra – no regrets with the past – there’s only the present moment!
Jane