Martha Beck
Do NOTHING for 15 minutes a day...
I have always had trouble doing nothing. One of my Mother’s mantras was idle hands… idle minds. I also have so many interests that I like trying to do everything. I have to thank Cancer for teaching/forcing me to do nothing. Believe me I was forced to do nothing for a lot longer than 15 minutes. There were days that I was so tired that I could not do anything. I have to say my mind was probably the quietest during that time also (except at night). Chemo has a way of sapping everything out of you and you need every ounce of energy to get better.
I truly try to remember my lessons learned from the time I was ill… but I have to be honest it is easy to get caught up in the doing again. Part of it is that I feel well and I want to fit in as much as I can because I am healthy. But then I have to remember how important rest is… for both your body and your mind.
I did try and do nothing consistently this week… A few years ago I started saying a daily rosary… for me this is a good way to stop everything. I do find my mind wandering sometimes but I just go with it and try to focus on the prayers.
I also sat outside and just gazed into my backyard view…
But then the birds would tease me or the lizards… so I got up and got my camera and watched these guys do nothing for a bit…
Sometimes it is really hard to do NOTHING for 15 minutes a day...
So here is my vision/reminder card for this week:
So here is my vision/reminder card for this week: