So there's a common compulsion to keep busy, be productive, remain active, ... There's great emphasis on movement itself, not direction, nor how or even if movement relates to any particular plan.
“Do not confuse motion and progress.
A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress." Alfred A. Montapert
We've come to associate a type of person who's restless, irritable, cynical, sarcastic, "doesn't suffer fools well", as a "man of action", a doer, capable, competent, someone who can get things done. On the other hand, someone who is quiet, reflective, still, peaceful, a deep thinker, tends to be seen these days as quite the opposite. And yet, the restless fellow is more suited to a widget assembly line, whereas the reflective person is better suited for leadership positions, or at the very least advising leaders.
To accurately assess what's going on right now, one must first be able to accept what's going on ie be comfortable enough in the present moment, in one's own skin, in stillness, in quietness - to gather sufficient, accurate data. Only then can one reasonably decide what to do, in which direction to proceed regarding long-term goals. Having "ants in your pants" and a cynical attitude is a distinct handicap. Reasonable long-range planning and restlessness are mutually exclusive.
"Doing" needs to be balanced with "being" - very different modes. The former is adequate for carrying out relatively simple physically tasks. The latter is essential where executive function is required: mature ethical judgment, long-term planning, etc (prefrontal cortex) - AND is the portal to real quality of life.
See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2013/10/417-appreciating-even-prioritizing.html
and: http://www.johnlovas.com/2013/10/self-concepts-sense-of-momentum-or.html
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| alex326 www.dpreview.com |
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