Mindful in the Moment
Live a CHARMED life!
CHARMED*
Daily Passage
Reflections
There are a lot of passages in Proverbs that collectively build up a work ethic paradigm. Passages like the one in verse 15 that we find in today’s reading of Chapter Nineteen. Here is Peterson’s translation, The Message, of that passage: “Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry.” and from verse 24: “Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth.”
I get some humor from reading these, especially that last one: some people are so lazy they want even eat the pie in front of them. That’s a little “hyperbolic,” over the top, extreme. But really, when you think of it, that’s not funny at all. They worked so hard to make the pie, invested either time or money to have it there in front of them, but are not taking the time to enjoy it, they are not savoring the fruit. This is an important concept. It is in savoring the fruit that we grow. Our senses collect the information, and we gain in knowledge and in wisdom. Yes, through eating the pie and being mindfully present when we do so.
I don’t know if it was growing up reading passages like this, watching my parents both work so responsibly, or just my own love of doing things, that I have a very strong work ethic. Recently though, I have observed that I am too geared up in this area of my life and have started the process of slowing down. I need to slow down to enjoy that pie or whatever it is that I am doing at the moment.
While being productive is a valued aspect of my life and a charter trait of mine for which I am thankful, Proverbs 19:2 will be the main mediation of the day. Peterson translates: “Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.” I like the New Revised Standard Version’s translation better: “Desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.”
Recently, when I started to observe myself and my actions throughout each day, what I realized was that most of the time I was hurrying through something, thinking about the next task that I need to accomplish. For instance, I would be carving out the time to build my health and vibes by going to the woods for an hour walk in nature with my beloved dog Pippin. I knew this was a healthy activity on many levels, and so I make sure that I get this walk in daily. But as I walked, I begin to notice my body. I was tense and walking fast. My shoulders were tense, and even my jaw. I also began to notice my mind—I was thinking about how I was going to accomplish everything I had to do and thinking hard about what I would do next. I didn’t think I was being lazy. But, I had my pie in front of me, and I wasn’t eating it.
Recently I read “Walking,” an awesome essay by Henry David Thoreau. Like me, Thoreau loved to walk in the woods on a daily basis and valued his time there. I think he spent four hours a day walking. I can learn from him! I was taken by his words regarding just how one should approach walking—how we should prepare our minds for the walk. He suggests, “We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance, in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return, prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only as relics to our desolate kingdoms. If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again—if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man—then you are ready for a walk.” Wow. There is an abandonment needed when setting out. Take nothing into the woods. Have an empty sack so that as you are there, you can really be there absorbing all that the trees have to give. This passage here by Thoreau is an allusion to the Bible—to words of Jesus. Here is one from the Book of Matthew, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (6:24). The one that really is echoed is this passage from The Gospel according to Luke, “One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple” (14:25-27). Letting go of everything is a spiritual task. If we are to learn anything in this life and how to live it abundantly, we have to let go of everything. . .
So if you want keep your strong work ethic and like me feel comfortable doing so, that’s fine. But note this, sometimes it’s laziness just to go through the hoops. It takes a strong work ethic to slow down at times. It takes strength to be mindful and to allow yourself to enjoy the fruit of your labor. The pie is there, eat it and enjoy.
abandon
“What business have I in the woods, if I am thinking of something out of the woods?”
— Henry David Thoreau
Eight Affirmations of Gratitude
I am grateful for my work ethic.
I am thankful that I can be mindful.
An give thanks for each task that I do and how I enjoy each task as I am doing it.
I am thankful for walks in the woods.
I am thankful that I can let go and be.
I give thanks for happiness.
I am thankful for arriving at each moment with the spirt of adventure.
I am grateful for all of the adventurous opportunities I have daily.
Questions to Consider
What do I observe about the pace at which I am living my life?
Am I working too hard in some areas of my life?
How can I be more mindful and to enjoy each task as I am doing that task?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me. As you go about your day today, may you mindfully enjoy - really enjoy - each task you accomplish - even the task of just being - Namaste.
*Note: CHARMED, is an acronym that I have developed, related to abundant living. There are seven letters, one for each day of the week. While I encourage you to touch on all of the letters on a daily basis, one letter will be highlighted each day.
In CHARMED, H stands for hydrate. Click on the H in the card posted above and go to a page full of ways to hydrate. I encourage you to peruse the page and try one of the proposed practices to get your charm on as quickly as possible.