I Heart Nothingness

I'm feeling very mellow today. The dust has settled after a wild, long week-end high. It feels so good to reflect on my day only to realize that all I've done so far is eat and yoga. On the heels of Thanksgiving, I'm beyond grateful for being able to bask in nothingness. For years I worked tirelessly, feeling consumed by jetlagged business trips, stuffy fashion events, and a boss who never accepted "impossible" as an answer. Back then I was proud to look at my calendar in wonderment of when I'd be able to schedule a pee break. I was busy, busy, busy. Busy equalled performance; performance brought results; results delivered achievement ; achievement equalled value*. Today, my evaluation looks a lil more like this: busy equals doing; doing distracts from being; not being causes imbalance; imbalance creates instability; instability awakens truth. This means that we'd rather be busy with distractions than taking time for ourselves. And when we silence our accumulated 'stuff', we're just suppressing our truth.
It only takes 5 minutes to re-set your mind and relax your body. Sitting, and just breathing can settle anxiety, insomnia, fear. Breathing alone can reduce tension in your body. We're part of a culture that needs a list of credentials, full inbox, 500+ Facebook friends, a LinkedIn profile, Twitter account, gym membership, and a sold out Saturday night schedule to feel valued. Whatever happened to glorifying the luxury of doing nothing, yet being more? Dictionary.com defines 'nothingness' as follows: noth·ing·ness
1. the state of being nothing.

2. something that is nonexistent: a view of humanity as suspended between infinity and nothingness. 

3. lack of being; nonexistence

4. unconsciousness or death

5. utter insignificance, emptiness, or worthlessness; triviality

WOW!  "Nonexistent"? "Insignificant"? "Worthlessness"? I think this definition needs a 2013 update! You heard it here first - Nothingness is the healthiest pastime. When I ask someone what they're doing and they reply "nothing", I'm actually impressed. According to my husband (reality checkmate), doing nothing doesn't pay Hydro. Granted it doesn't pay the bills, however I'm not saying to do nothing all day, every day. I'm suggesting that you do less and be more. Sit with yourself more often. Stop, breath, listen. Feel the four corners of your feet touch the earth. Inhale the crisp October air. Listen to the rustling of the leaves. Watch the beauty of their changing color. Just take 5 minutes a day to tune in and connect to the rawness of life. You'll slow down, become kinder, a little more patient, and tolerant with yourself and everything around you.

Namaste.

*Don't let someone else estimate your value. Find your own value through the simplicities of just being.