Photo by Vinoth Chandler
Stop being so busy.
Busy is the enemy of Art.
Busy is the avoidance of Pain, and Pain is the only way to grow.
Art comes from Pain.
Busy kills productivity.
You will never be happy when you are Busy. But you will never be sad either.
Busy, like all drugs, can become an escape. It will always end in failure.
Be where your butt is, where your feet are. Be with your fingers and in the lining of your Lungs: Going in. Going out. Your shoulders relaxing into the world.
For more posts about rest, visit our page Real Writers Rest.
This particular line struck me – “Busy is the avoidance of Pain, and Pain is the only way to grow.” Thanks for the reminder. Busy creates a huge void inside me that is antiseptic and untouchable. The void wants comfort, yet busy-ness does not offer comfort. Just negation. You said it so perfectly and beautifully.
So profound. I hope you enjoy a relaxing day, Joe.
Wise and profound words, Joe! Thanks for reminding me that “busy” isn’t always a positive. It can be both draining and dehydrating of our creativity. Slowing down is a good thing!
Terrific reminder. So many of us are guilty of staying too busy to feel.
Thanks for the slow down prompt.
Too busy to feel. Well put, Diane.
Today I had a day of intentional rest. A Sabbath. I didn’t write, I didn’t cook, blog, fiddle with social Media. I rested. It felt great.
Great work comes from a place of rest.
Super post Joe.
Yeah Joe I just experienced the truth of this over the weekend. Had a completely manic and frankly awful week at home, struggling with really ill kids, compounded by allergic reactions to medication, secondary infections and then a case of nits on top like the ghastly cherry on top of a miserable pie. Then on Saturday my ex took the kids for a day and a night. I stopped stressing for the first time in seven days. Suddenly I could hear the birds, and feel the life-giving warmth of the sun again! And with every moment that I relaxed more, I came in contact with more of my natural state, that is joy in being alive.
In the writing course I’m doing at the moment the importance of relaxation was the very first tenet given. And Konstantin Stanislavski was quoted;
‘Doesn’t this demonstrate how muscular tension impedes our thinking, and the process of experiencing even more? There can be no question of true, subtle feeling or of the normal psychological life of a role while physical tension is present. So, before we start creative work we must get our muscles into proper working order, lest they shackle our freedom of action.’
Joe — This is awesome. Thanks for sharing this. I completely agree with you.
So true. I just wish there was a way to bypass the pain and still get the growth. But wait, did Jesus experience resurrection without the cross… Great post, Joe.