62. It's OK to sometimes do absolutely nothing.

In today's society, it is not unusual for a friend to comment that they didn't do anything when asked, "What did you do today?" Their response is usually surrounded by a cloud of guilt for that admission. We have been conditioned to believe that we must always be active and productive or we will be labelled lazy. Admitting that we have not done anything significant is a shameful response. It shouldn't be! (note that this does not contravene using the word "should" from lesson one, I used the word "shouldn't"!)

A lot of individuals suffer from obsessive-compulsive behaviour where they feel that they must constantly be on the move and working on some project or activity. They are driven to try and accomplish something every waking hour. I am pleased to admit that I have never suffered from OCD. If there is such a thing, I think I might be labelled GWTF ( Go with the flow) behaviour! When I have to concentrate or work hard, I do. When it is time for a break or diversion, I take one. When my to-do list has been reduced, I have no trouble reverting to doing nothing!

In fact, it is just about impossible to "do nothing." We tend to translate "doing" into a physically active endeavour. "Doing" also has an intellectual and sometimes spiritual aspect. My mind seldom shuts down completely. If I am sitting quietly in my 20th floor quiet room looking out upon the river, trees and park, I may not appear to be doing anything to an outside observer, but I can guarantee that my mind is grinding away. I may be planning something in the future or I may be enjoying time for spiritual reflection that is not obvious, but I am really mentally or spiritually quite busy.

Regardless of how we spend our time, it is important to remember there should be a time for quiet and calm. Just as a battery needs to be regularly recharged, so does the human. When I am sitting quietly in my quiet room or on a park bench, I know that sitting in the sunshine is a rejuvenating process. Sunshine does recharge my batteries. Although I might appear to be a bum on a bench I am actually a happy retiree being recharged. And that is not an easy task!