To Be
Posted 5th June 2015
Category: Life But Maybe Not As We Know It Genres: N/A
6 Comments
Hamlet. The capitalised title of a song by a favourite artist. Peace and contemplation.
I recently returned from a retreat and something I made myself do was just enjoy the moments. I’m not one for simply sitting, not good at doing nothing, but I sat for an hour in the garden watching the world go by, appreciating the moment; a few shorter times, too. The good weather (that probably helped). The happiness I was finding in being away and the general bond, the shared overall purpose, of those also on the retreat.
I’ve sat with a coffee enjoying the sun, the bird song, but I want to make a deliberate effort in future to incorporate it into my week. The thoughtfulness that accompanies and follows it isn’t unlike meditation. But whilst I like meditation I find that, ironically, it involves more planning and thought than it should. Perhaps that’s just me.
I want to be more in the moment, more aware of my surroundings, more open to inspiration, to ideas.
I took many things from my retreat and that hour was one of them.
Do you make time to just be?
June 5, 2015, 6:01 pm
I try to make time to just be but as you said it often feels like you have to plan the time to be! I am pleased to hear you enjoyed your retreat.
June 8, 2015, 5:37 pm
I’ve been given to understand this is the sort of thing I should enjoy. But I don’t, I’m afraid — too restless a heart. Anything where I have to just sit and breathe makes me crazy. :/
June 9, 2015, 12:28 am
My daughter has helped me with this. It really is refreshing in its own way. I don’t do it often enough either.
July 20, 2015, 1:49 pm
HeatherAnne: Yes, I think you’re right, we know we should. I like that phrase, “human doing”. It’s very true, we do the human thing and forget to enjoy the simple, less ‘worthy’ parts.
Jessica: Yes, it’s weird. And it can make you feel guilty.
Alice: It was. Well worth doing.
Jenny: Oh I understand that completely! I dislike going to bed for similar reasons.
Literary Feline: That’s true and a good point; children being about requires you to just be sometimes. And then there are the times (albeit few) they actively like the rest it and so you do it, too.
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June 5, 2015, 2:17 am
I should. I think most of know we should. But I’m mostly terrible at actually making the time just to be. Unfortunately, I fall into the “human doing” category far more often than the “human being” category.