Читать книгу Living Long, Living Passionately - Karen Casey - Страница 25

In this world it is not what you take up but what you give up that makes you rich.

—Henry Ward Beecher

What a foreign idea to most people. The ownership of stuff is how wealth is generally measured. The more one has, the richer one must be. But I sense a growing trend among some. It seems that baby boomers and seniors like me, and the generation just entering the workforce, value the less material: nature, the mind, spirituality, the family, play, solitude, and even the choice to do nothing at all for a time. This trend, though still limited in scope, is not invisible. Nor has it failed to make an impression. And for this I think we can breathe a sigh of relief. It's suggesting that we take a timeout. Everyone. Our worth is not in our stuff or our accomplishments.

What's the point of this book, then? you might be thinking. It's time-consuming to read. It was time-consuming to write. Obviously I'm not sitting on the sidelines resting in solitude. I'm held fast to my computer, day in and day out, exploring a wealth of ideas, some of which I share with you, the reader. But I take time away too. And I'm making a practice of extending those times. I want to practice that which I see being preached by the enlightened few. Enriching our lives with the nonmaterial is creating a space for new growth, new awareness, new habits. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. And I am very practiced at my old habits. Like many of you, no doubt.

The title of this book, Living Long, Living Passionately, is shorthand for the philosophy that has claimed my heart. Frankly, at seventy-five, I have rather easily accomplished the living long half of the title. And I do expect to live another decade. Maybe two, in fact. Living passionately has not been difficult either, while working. I love my work, whether writing, speaking, planning, or creating a program. However, I want to cultivate more passion around doing nothing. Nothing at all. And I'm not sure I can do that with ease. Time will tell. What I am doing here, now, is offering you suggestions that I need to also do, right along with you, the reader. I am making suggestions for how to experience the quieter, less intense life. The desire to slow down has surfaced many times in my life. I have been telling family and friends that I am going to retire. Someday soon. But the way to slow down, let alone retire, lacks clarity. But here goes . . .

To begin, let's greet the day expectantly, together. And then let's pause, long enough to invite the God of our understanding, whomever that might be, to have a say. I suggest that we sit in silence, with our eyes open or closed, for no less than ten minutes. During the time of silence, imagine God, or a guardian angel if that suits you more, conveying to you her hopes for us today. If nothing seems to come at first, let's be patient.

Now let's write for five minutes about whatever we are feeling. If you received a message, share that. If nothing came, that's okay too. But before abandoning this quiet time, let's thank our Higher Power for the love and protection we are offered daily, even when we are not aware of it.

Perhaps you aren't sure where I'm leading you in this essay. I simply want you to slow down. I want to slow down too.

Life doesn't need to be lived in the fast lane. Make a decision right now to do nothing all day. And if you can't commit to this because of an important engagement already on your calendar, take tomorrow off. Completely off.

This is my day off. I will catalogue in my journal all the ideas for things to do that I am willing to discard, for this one day only.

How do you feel taking charge of your life today, discarding all that you had previously felt you simply had to do? What images come to mind that illustrate this new freedom? Compose an affirmation that you can return to at any moment, on any day, when you realize you are about to do something you have no real passion for.

Feelings?

Images?

Affirmations?

And before leaving this essay, I want you to thank yourself and your Higher Power for being willing to change directions. What you did, what I am also working to make a practice of, is to literally step aside, close the door, little by slowly, on the work I so lovingly do, day in and day out.

We are all the better for it. One and all.

Now take a long, slow breath and let the inner joy rise up.

Thanks be to God.