idleness

From Tim Kreider's article "The Busy Trap"

Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensible to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration - it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.

Don't let our cultural fixation on busyness fool you. Idleness is indeed something of deep value.

[photo: portland]

responsibility

Your personal sense of focus directly impacts those around you.

With a scattered mindset, you can forward that incoherent email effortlessly. Or, you can choose to hone in, ask appropriate questions and add a layer of clarity. Really, it’s up to you to own your part. 

Will clarity or chaos be the message you keep spreading?

There's endless beauty in simplicity...

[purple cabbage]

intention

"For a healthy spirit, you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life."
                          - Dallas Willard (via Hank Fortener)


Your refusal to rush is bound to tick others off.

That’s a good thing.

It’s a sign you’re chipping away at the status quo. Others might not always find that so comforting. But, blatant adherence to the status quo is far from what this world needs.

Keep defying the norms. Each time you do, there’s a tribe of us cheering. We can awaken real intention in this world instead of blindly scattering. 

step one

Step one – it’s the uncomfortable one we’re far too inclined to skip.

Step one – it’s also the defining one we’re crazy to dare miss.

The absence of step one is obvious in:

the organization without a cause

the meeting without a purpose

the life without direction

the brochure without a message

the email without a point

Scarcity of resources may try to silence your dire need for it. Yet, when resources are scarce, it’s precisely the thing you need.

Step one – that powerful stage of:

considering why you exist

questioning why you’re embarking

determining what you’re after

envisioning where you’re going

All steps that follow benefit from step one – if you’re patient and courageous enough to embrace it.

Muster patience and lean into the power of step one.

break the routine

An ordinary morning is transformed when you:

(a) actively look for beauty

(b) intentionally break the routine

[oatmeal w/sauteed apples]

bakeshop

sans gluten

[apple, oat, buckwheat muffins 
adapted from love and lemons] 

leading with my heart

In yoga the other day, the teacher told me to lead with my heart. I posture my body in a way that puts unnecessary stress on my shoulders – not a good thing. But, that’s no surprise to me. I don’t stand as tall as I should. I carry most of my stress up in my shoulders. Countless times over the years I’ve been reminded – shoulders back.  

The words of my yoga teacher, though – they penetrated much deeper. Yes, my physical body is not leading with my heart. But, the more compelling truth – that physical reality is mirrored by my emotional tendency. At times, I choose not to lead with my heart. Why? The vulnerability is freaking terrifying. I cut myself off instead of connecting. I bar myself from love because it might be imperfect; I very well could get hurt.

See, the fear in my head forgets to tell me a crucial bit about leading with your heart – there’s an upside. When you follow the way of love, you see beauty and opportunity. At every corner, there’s possibility.  Yes, the vulnerability of it all may get you burned along the way, but instead of feeling hidden, you’re alive like never before.