John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NIV

Friday, February 24, 2012

Just being

Confession: I do not know how to just BE.

At first the idea was completely foreign to me. This notion that I was to take time to just do nothing - WHAT? Why on earth would I want to do that?  Who has time to just chill? Just be?

In fact, witnessing people do that evokes all sorts of negative thoughts in my head - they must be: lazy, self-absorbed, unhappy, and down right careless people. Who has time to just sit there and be?

Workaholics
I mean certainly I watch TV - my husbands latest obsession On Demand is Comedy Central's show Workaholics and this was after all of the "lost" episodes of Gold Rush and other "reality" shows. I do not get lost in television like I use to. While I am watching tv, I am usually doing something else: folding laundry, working, organizing, cleaning, laundry, working, reading mail, something. I cannot just sit still.

It did not always use to be this way. BEFORE I lost weight, I could sit for hours... I was lazy! Usually sitting on the couch just BEING meant having some sort of snack food in my hand chowing down, watching some trash tv like: The Real Housewives of Orange County (Team Gretchen here!!). Sometimes just being was reading a book (now I race through books because it something that needs to be done). Sometimes it was meditating (this has been more negative lately).

But when I lost weight, I also lost the ability to just be. I do have time in the morning with God, but even that is reading a devotional, praying, or focusing on listening.

I have been told more than once that I need to just BE... and I think at this stage of my life, I really do need to just be.

I am over thinking, over analyzing, drowning in my negative thoughts, over training (yesterday I ran 7 miles in the morning and was on my trainer last night for 1 hour and 45 minutes), worrying about what ifs, what could have beens and my life is started to see the affects. My children do not know how to just be either.

HOW DO YOU JUST BE?                               

7 comments:

bobbi said...

I think a happy medium is necessary, in a "all things in moderation" kind of way.

I wish I were better at DOING. I am much too adept at the just being...

maybe we could share secrets and reach a nice middle of the road? :)

a said...

Here are a few suggestions on how to "Just Be"
+ Reread a favorite book, taking time to savor the interaction between the characters, or a clever use of words by the author.
+ Go for a walk and just look at the world around you. Remember exploring when every leaf and blade of grass was something new your children had never seen before.
+ Turn off all electronics and rub your dog's tummy for a good long time. Talk to her and try and understand the wonders of being on the couch under a blanket all day long:-)

gba_gf said...

ditto.

Rene' said...

oh friend I am probably not a good one to give any advice. I am not good at "being." For some reason if I sit down my brain goes into overdrive and I start thinking of all the things I have to do, training plans, what to make for dinner etc....I do have to say that now that I am back to work a couple of days a week sometimes at home I am able to just sit. (that is rare.) I will say a little prayer for you and hope that you can start "being." Maybe you should strive for 15 minutes a day to start and work from there. xoxoxoxo!!!!

Unknown said...

I think maybe the intent is to enjoy the moment. I've had to work on that too. For me, it helps to really focus on what I'm hearing, smelling, seeing, etc. Take in everything that is happening around me. This has helped me "be" in the moment and not focus so much on "doing" or thinking about what's next. Good luck!

I Run for Fun said...

Interesting post! Often our thoughts drive us to act...and the more you think, the more you want to 'be busy'. I've found that sometimes all it takes is focusing all your energy on what you are doing at the moment, or just taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. Like anything else, it takes practice!

Abbie Anderson said...

I agree with you just being is hard. I really enjoy your site. I'm putting together a huge giveaway in conjunction with a new novel being released about a runner. I'm hoping you'd be interested. I emailed you more info.
Thanks
Abbie Anderson