The value of teaching without words and accomplishing without action is understood by few in the world. ~ Tao Te Ching, chapter 43
You are a human being, not a human doing. Don’t equate your self-worth with how well you do things in life. You aren’t what you do. If you are what you do, then when you don’t…you aren’t.
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
Most of us need to work, and money is a much-needed tool for survival. However, what is the cost we are paying for staying trapped in this busyness? What if we miss an essential part of our lives? What if we start disconnecting from our true nature (dharma)?
We live in a world where time has become a scarce commodity, and most people are in a permanent hurry, yet we never seem to have enough time. Our modern society has transformed us into doers, performers, and overachievers. Always running somewhere, always busy to get more, and achieve more. Many of us have been conditioned to evaluate our human worth through how well we do in life (based on personal and professional goals, results and achievements), our possessions, or job title on a business card. We want to do more and to get more and tend to attach our happiness to a projected future we don’t even know will be there when we arrive. The need for DOING is energy consuming, and it can be exhausting for both body and soul. Ancient sages taught about the art of BEING.
Practices of being in stillness, like yoga or meditation, or connecting to our dharma, have become something we need to learn. Instead of listening and following our natural need for slowing down, we tend to define worth through social status and profession, so we work harder, longer, and live life in action. We forget how to BE. It may take time to get rid of the guilt of choosing to take things slow, doing things you enjoy, and allowing your BEING to recharge.
Ideas to consider:
1. Attend Inner Connections Yoga’s Dharma workshop on April, 2019.
2. Be okay with good enough (let go of perfection, of identifying your worth through professional accomplishments)
3. Understand that taking care of your own needs, including long sleep, is not selfish (this is a learned misperception).
4. Listen to your body and recharge the batteries of your soul.
5. Set healthy boundaries with the outer world and say no to things you don’t really want or need to do.
6. Value your time as an asset, knowing that, once gone, it’s never coming back.
7. Stop trying to accomplish a hundred more things in a day.
8. Cease comparing yourself to others.
9. Reconnect to yourself to get grounded, to reflect, and to recharge.
10. Your life is yours – don’t feel that you owe anyone an explanation or apology for the way you choose to live it.
Doing nothing is an action as long as it comes from an empowering place of choice– your own choosing. Take time to breathe, relax, and recharge: mind, body, and spirit.
Tools to recharge:
1. Take breaks between working hours.
2. Walk in nature.
3. Play with children and pets.
4. Treat yourself to something relaxing: massage, cup of Chai at ICY, our Rock Salt Therapy Room, or a yoga class.
5. Watch a good movie or read a good book.
6. Listen to relaxing music (did you know that listening to raga or yoga music reduces your risk for heart issues, according to a recent European study?)
7. Take a nap in the middle of the day.
8. Enjoy a candle, incense, or aromatherapy for some olfactory connection to relaxation.
9. Spend time alone.
10. Seek out positive, non-judgmental people who love you as you are.
11. Be aware of your preprogrammed self-talk, let it go, and take time to BE.
Treat life as a gift worth enjoying and celebrating today. Stop living for the weekends and instead live for each day, each moment. Smile more. Laugh more. Have fun. View every morning as a fresh start and a wonderful opportunity to learn new things and grow. Life is to be lived, not just to exist and to accomplish tasks.
Choose to live life to the fullest!
