Time for ‘Doing Nothing’

I had a day off from ‘regular’ work today—you know, the work that pays the bills? For the next few weeks, I’m actually working 2 jobs, adding up to almost 60 hours a week. I’m tired, . . . really tired! But today is my only day off and I found myself in a dilemma. Because this is my only day off during the week, there are so many things calling for my attention, things screaming to be done. I had planned on working in the yard today; mowing the grass, preparing a new flower bed and a new veggie bed. But, it’s raining, . . . .

Ok, then there are dishes in the sink, I need groceries, there is dust on the furniture and the floors, clothes to be laundered, . . . . and the list goes on, and on, and on.

Then, of course, there are drawings waiting impatiently on the easel and the drawing board, also calling for my attention. Problem is, I can’t focus when there are so many things that need attention, so here I sit at the computer, surfing and thinking and typing away.

I felt really guilty at first, just sitting and letting all the ‘work’ call to me only to be ignored. However, the longer I sat, the better my soul felt; and I began to think about ‘stillness’. Yes, that’s what has been missing of late—great art can and does come from chaos, but there must be the times of stillness in order for the mind to gather up the chaos and organize it on paper—whether you are a visual artist, a writer, or a musician.

And so, . . . the art will come in its own time, after this time of mixed chaos and stillness, . . . stay tuned, . . .