We live in a world that glorifies action. A “go-go-go” world where we’re constantly bombarded with messages about productivity, hustle, and achieving more. To-do lists overflow, schedules are crammed, and the pressure to constantly achieve can be overwhelming.
Now, of course productivity has its place, but the over-glorification of action can create an unhealthy imbalance that is often the cause of our dis-ease.
There exists a teaching about the balance between action and rest and it’s called BE-ing, DO-ing and BECOME-ing.
BE-ing is described as the moments when we are simply enjoying the beauty that life has to offer.
DO-ing is described as being productive, and taking the actions that add to the beauty of life.
And then BECOME-ing, is the understanding that finding the balance between the two, and becoming better at holding both simultaneously, is a constantly evolving journey. The journey of our life.
The piece I’m sharing from Jeff Foster today doesn’t cover this whole balancing act, but it does remind us to rest:
LET YOURSELF REST
If you’re exhausted, rest.
If you don’t feel like starting a new project, don’t.
If you don’t feel the urge to make something new, just rest in the beauty of the old, the familiar, the known.
If you don’t feel like talking, stay silent.
If you’re fed up with the news, turn it off. If you want to do nothing, let yourself do nothing today.
If you want to postpone something until tomorrow, do it.
Feel the fullness of the emptiness, the vastness of the silence, the sheer life in your unproductive moments.
Time does not always need to be filled.
You are enough, simply in your being.
– Jeff Foster
There’s a time for DO-ing. And when it is time to take action let ALL of your focus be poured into your DO-ing. Just don’t forget that there is a time to rest too. And when it is time to BE, let ALL of your attention rest in just BE-ing.
The famous serenity prayer beautifully captures the essence of balancing action and non-action: “Help me see where to surrender, and show me where to take action.” Discerning when to step forward and act and when to step back and let go, is a crucial skill for navigating life’s challenges.
When we allow ourselves to rest, we create space for clarity and inspiration. We replenish our emotional and mental reserves, allowing us to approach action with renewed vigor.
Guiding mantras for self-reflection:
- “Allowing myself to rest isn’t weakness, it’s strength.”
- “Just like a wave needs stillness to gather power, I need rest to fuel my actions.”
- “I will honor my natural rhythms, allowing space for surrender and space for focused action.”
- “I can discern when to act with purpose and when to simply be present in the moment.”
By cultivating this awareness and integrating these refelctions into your daily life, you’ll discover the transformative power of allowing yourself to rest. Remember, sometimes the most powerful action we can take is simply allowing ourselves to be.
Have a beautiful day beautiful humans!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: The serenity prayer.