06 March, 2013

Sacred Idleness


Like most writers, I seem to have my artistic epiphanies at the most inconvenient of times and places. There was the time I was driving cross-country by myself when a flash of inspiration hit but was soon lost when I couldn't pull over to record it.  Another story-related revelation brought me out of a deep sleep in full running mode which, in turn, caused me to fall over my nightstand. This time, my epiphany occurred soon after I brought all the new goodies for this website online. It was simple and to the point: namely, I realized that all my time was spent hurrying from one marketing "to-do" to another, leaving very little time - or energy - for actual writing.  Moreover, I was unhappy. So unhappy, in fact, that it caused my husband to ask me a question that might as well have been a lightening strike: "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Too Much Work


"Every so often, I need OUT; something will throw me into total disproportion, and I have to get away from everybody...in order to regain a sense of proportion." - Madeleine L'Engle

I didn't intend to get out. It just happened. I simply stopped writing blog entries. I didn't visit social sites or scan twenty different articles before tasting breakfast. I had more thoughts and epiphanies, all surrounding this work, work, work attitude we all have.

Much as we, individually and as a society, don't want to admit it, there is such a thing as too much work. We even used to call those who did too much of it workaholics. Not so much anymore. Society praises those who have no time on their hands as successful contributors to modern invention, technological progress, or improved sociability.

This is especially true for anyone labeled an entrepreneur. For them, the experts say, work is never done and, if they want to get ahead in their respective careers, work should never be done. These experts then prove that point by presenting all the entrepreneurs who have become millionaires from turning a proven concept on its head or by just being too damn stubborn to know when to stop.

The implication is that there is something intrinsically flawed in those who do not wish to work their lives away. Worse, for those who actively pull time for non-work related activities, a knowing shake of the head proclaims this type to be woefully behind the times. At best, he or she is an amateur who is simply not interested in being successful.

Finding Peace


"Work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected." - George MacDonald

To rest one's soul, to take ideal time away from the concerns and hurries of our over saturated world, is necessary for everyone and especially the artist. Only from thought, consideration, and observation can stories - good stories - evolve. Imagination has no room to grow in a steady barrage of noise and distractions. If imagination cannot grow, what hope have artists of producing work that speaks to others, resonates with the soul, and leads imaginations to bloom?

All of this isn't to turn the stink eye back on those who do like/must/do work incessantly. It's also not to promote laziness. But balance and regular periods of rest and reflection should not be overlooked in  importance to our overall well-being. 

Time for Being


"I’ve long since stopped feeling guilty about taking being time; it’s something we all need for our spiritual health, and often we don’t take enough of it...When I am consciously running there is no time for being. When there is no time for being there is no time for listening." - Madeleine L'Engle 

The last two weeks have been glorious. Once again, I pulled out my trusty old mechanical pencil and the notebooks I start every story with. I've observed and written and pondered and written some more. My joy in creating has returned, leaving me loathe to return to my previous activities.

But the experts do have one thing right: all those online activities do have their place. I'll keep blogging and chatting with you all on social media. I just don't know if I'll publish on a regular schedule or not. I'm still figuring the details out. When I know, you'll know!

And perhaps when I have dozens of published books to my name, I'll be allowed to be a cantankerous recluse....  

If you're an artist (and even if you're not), how can taking "being" time help you?


____________________

Image by William Woodward at wheretowillie.com.


16 comments:

  1. I totally understand what you mean! I'm currently trying to balance being a writer with an outside, "pays the bills" professional job (full-time) and it's so tough to keep everything from going wonky. And if that's not tough enough, there's also laundry and I hear people say you should clean things every now and then. Vicious rumors, I suspect.

    I've finally found a little bit of a schedule that works for me. Taking care of the house/laundry on Saturday, writing on Sunday. And if things start to get a bit cluttered in my head, I either go shopping (often more browsing than money-spending) or take myself to the outdoors. Time will tell if this system will actually keep me sane...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree - that thing called "cleaning" is nothing but a joke that bored people make up to torture us with. I hope you're finding your new schedule beneficial. I still find it sad that we even have to come up with sanity systems at all. Wouldn't it be great if we could just do life without scheduling?

      Delete
  2. I'm terrible at "me time." I always either forget or go play video games and totally forget to do something worthwhile.
    Recently though, work has been giving me lots of ideas. I have a pretty mundane job which doesn't take all that much brainpower to do (CPA) so I'll spend all day thinking of great (my opinion) ideas. Sadly, work does tend to get in the way of writing them down, so I do forget them quite often. Actually being able to take the time to stop and write out the ideas is amazing when it happens.
    I have taken to writing a 750 word "brain dump" every morning which really helps get ideas moving in a relatively short span of time.

    Also, cleaning is for people with nothing better to do

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've experience the exact same thing. There are so many fun distractions once all the necessary adult obligations are done that it's hard to take that time to just sit down and ponder.

      I've always found that, if it's a great idea, it will come back over and over again. A writer friend of mine calls it "stewing on the back burner until it's ready." Maybe some of your ideas are just stewing until they're ready to be written down.

      And I think your "brain dump" is an excellent idea!

      Delete
  3. What a fantastic entry! Parts of this felt like you were speaking directly to me. I do work too much and I also hate that being a workaholic is portrayed so favorably in our current society. Thank you so much for sharing... I think your blog is fantastic and hope you'll consider accepting my nomination of your blog for a Liebster Award (even though you're blogging less right now)! Details can be found on my most recent post: http://t-says.blogspot.com/2013/03/belated-liebster-award.html

    I hope to read more from you soon! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting! I'm glad you were able to get something out of this. If my ramblings can help, I'm happy to! Thanks, also, for the blog award. I don't really do the blog awards anymore but I do appreciate the thought.

      Delete
  4. I stopped by as part of my gearing-up for the A to Z challenge this year, and I can relate to your post. As much as we need balance in all things, there is also a season for all things. We need to identify our season and go with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true. Like I said in the post, I'm not putting down those people who do need/like to work a lot. But the pressure society puts on everyone to do the same thing is ridiculous. If working 24/7 at your online presence isn't you, you shouldn't be pressured into thinking it should be.

      Delete
  5. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." (1659) I think any one who pursues art as a career hits that point where they need to get back to enjoying what they are doing and if it is all constant pressure then that can't happen. It's funny Patrick Rothfuss(Wise Man's Fear) wrote something like this on his last blog. Just goes to show no matter where you are in your career if you don't take the time to enjoy yourself it will get stale. Great blog, new follower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brandon, for the comment and visiting! I agree completely - no matter where you are in any career, rest is essential to keep your game up.

      Delete
  6. I can totally relate to your post. Sometimes it's really hard for me to keep up with blogging and social media.

    I'm one of the A-Z Minions and just wanted to stop by to say hello. I'm glad to have found your blog, it's great to meet you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, A-Z Minion! So happy you stopped by. :)

      Delete
  7. Blogging can be hard but I can't wait to see what you post for #atozchallenge this month!

    Dani @ Entertaining Interests
    #warriorminion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can be, especially if you're trying to keep up with something you're not interested in. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. I've been an independent writer for nearly 3 decades. Because I didn't take time out for myself, my brain pretty much fizzled out a few years ago. Writing had become a difficult chore. I began blogging to help me find my creativity again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have or starting to find your creativity again. What a sad thing, to lose touch with it.

      Delete

I love visitors and I love comments! Please, leave one or many (visitors or comments, it's all good). Just remember to play nice with others. Also, don't spam. I'll have to dump you in the trash compactor if you do. And then the dianoga will eat you. Ask yourself: is it worth getting eaten?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...