Define Busy

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” 

Socrates

One of the perks of writing a blog is to look back on what we have written in the past and then reflect upon the changes that have come with living a few extra years. Do we share the same ideas and values that we had 10 years ago, or in my case, 13 years ago.

Back to 2012

In my July 12, 2012 post, I attempted to define the word “busy”. Here is an excerpt from the post:

Busy is defined as being engaged in an activity such as work or a pastime.  For most of us, busy is the opposite of leisure.  If you aren’t busy, then you are not engaged in any activity.  You can see how our minds can play tricks with this idea.   If you aren’t busy, then something must be wrong. If you aren’t busy, you aren’t working.  If you aren’t busy, you’re lazy…and so on and so forth.

It seems that busy equals:  activity that can be quantified, visualized and have a tangible outcome.  And this is when the definition of “busy” becomes interesting.  Here are some scenarios that I have come across in the past.

“I have so many work projects that I am having difficulty with my work-life balance.  Everyone is calling me to be on a committee and I just can’t say “no.”   Translation: I am an indispensable employee and everyone depends on me.  I am important.

“I’m so busy with my children – the music lessons, art classes, soccer practices and dental appointments.  Every morning I pack them a nutritious lunch – you know, with multigrain bread and carrot sticks.”  Translation: I am a good mother.

“The weekends are so busy.  I’ve been invited to two parties on Saturday and now some other friends have invited me to go to a concert.  I can’t decide what to do.”  Translation:  I am popular.

Living Beautifully in Our Own Way

Socrates was right – beware the barrenness of a busy life.

But I would like to consider whether is it possible to redefine “busy” in a more holistic framework. To be actively or fully engaged has the potential to be life-affirming in providing purpose and direction in life. Meaningful work or projects brings a sense of fulfillment. Being involved within a compassionate community fosters connections. Participating in life, treasuring moments, managing responsibilities, learning new things, allows us to grow and adapt.

When we redefine busy in those personal terms, rather than in comparison to others or to external benchmarks, we cultivate a richer, more fulfilling life. Embracing our unique journeys allows us to appreciate the depth of our experiences, nurturing a sense of authenticity that transcends societal expectations.

I believe that when we shift our definition of busy away from societal measures and toward personal significance, we enrich our lives and open ourselves to more meaningful experiences, allowing us to truly live beautifully.

#LifeWellLived #LivingWell #MeasurementSystems

The Power of Smiling

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”

Joseph Addison

In 2012, I read an article “Wipe that smile off your face” in the local newspaper.  The article is no longer findable on an internet search. Alas, I did not know how to use hyperlinks at the time of writing the post.   The gist of the article offered a set of instructions on how to tilt the chin, make eye contact and minimize the shrillness of voice.  What caught my attention was: beware of overusing the smile.  Leaders employ the smiling technique with careful precision to diminish the likelihood of being taken as the junior assistant.  Too much smiling is hazardous for those climbing the social or corporate ladder. 

Is it possible to smile too much?

Now, twelve years after my initial blog response, I reflect again on the question of smiling.

I love to smile – the kind that is honest, open and ready to embrace life.  When I smile, I feel happy, relaxed and more engaged with life.  Smiles connect us, whether it be in person, via a virtual format, or even on a phone call.   Yes, I know when a person is smiling through their voice intonation. 

According to a Stanford article, smiling can brighten our mood. It is the act of smiling even without a reason to smile, that triggers a positive emotional response in our brain and elevates our moods. 

“The stretch of a smile can make people feel happy and the furrowed brow can make people feel angry; thus, the conscious experience of emotion must be at least partially based on bodily sensations,” Stanford Report

I believe that smiling is one of humanity’s greatest gifts. May we unwrap this gift, daily, and share it with others with genuine enthusiasm!

#EmotionalWellBeing #LifeWellLived #Smile

John Gibson Paton, Presbyterian minister to the islands now known as the New Hebrides Condominium. The English and Scottish traders clear-cut the island, engaged in blood-steeped slavery, intentionally spread measles. He was more sure of the degradation of his own people than the local people.

I meet people sayingspeaking of injustice is spiritual deg’n.

How can you speak up for those you are at the same called to witness to?

#christian #lifewelllived #oldtimereligion #feminist #impartation

There are just two things I need to do before going to bed this evening: finish this glass of wine, and play #SuperTuxCart till my eyes hurt.

After I go to bed, I'll need to eat a chocolate biscuit and fall asleep halfway through a podcast.

#SeizeTheDay #LifeWellLived

The great Reverend Cecil Williams is no longer with us. I was sad to learn this earlier today at Glide SF. Talk about a life well-lived!

I’m grateful I attended today’s Sunday service, which celebrated his amazing life.

#RiPp #CecilWilliams #GlideSF #LifeWellLived

“Thoroughly unprepared, we take the step into the afternoon of life. Worse still, we take this step with the false presupposition that our truths and our ideals will serve us as hitherto. But we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning, for what was great in the morning will be little at evening and what in the morning was true, at evening will have become a lie.”

Carl Gustav Jung

Time has flown by. I am now in the afternoon of my life. Am I ready for this moment? Will I embrace this time as a new adventure, a journey of discovery?

Carl Jung coined the term “the afternoon of life” to describe the phase of life commonly encountered during middle age. This period presents individuals with the opportunity to address profound questions about the significance and direction of their lives. Jung perceived this stage as a pivotal juncture characterized by a transition from external objectives and obligations towards internal introspection and self-discovery.

“The afternoon of life” signifies a time when individuals may grapple with matters of identity, principles, and personal satisfaction as they endeavor to uncover deeper purpose in their existence. According to Jung, this phase represents a valuable occasion for personal development and individuation, offering individuals the prospect to merge different facets of their personality and attain a heightened sense of completeness.

Time has flown by, and now I find myself in the afternoon of my life. Am I prepared for this moment? Am I ready to embrace this new chapter as a thrilling adventure, a voyage of self-discovery.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”

 Carl Gustav Jung

I find this time of life invigorating, a chance to view past experiences with a fresh perspective. For me, it begins with acknowledging the rapid passage of time and recognizing the evolving nature of life. Embracing the transition from external objectives to internal reflection, has opened me to a deeper understanding of life’s complexities, offering the potential for significant inner transformation.

Our life is like the course of the sun. In the morning it gains continually in strength until it reaches the zenith-heat of high noon. Then comes the enantiodromia: the steady forward movement no longer denotes an increase, but a decrease, in strength. Thus, our task in handling a young person is different from the task of handling an older person. In the former case, it is enough to clear away all the obstacles that hinder expansion and ascent; in the latter, we must nurture everything that assists the descent.

Carl Gustav Jung

https://clanmother.com/2024/04/18/the-afternoon-of-life-a-time-for-reflection-and-growth/

#CarlGustavJung #EmbracingChange #LifeWellLived #TheAfternoonOfLife

How to Grow Old: Bertrand Russell on What Makes a Fulfilling Life – The Marginalian

#philosophy #aging #lifewelllived
https://www.themarginalian.org/2018/07/03/how-to-grow-old-bertrand-russell/