Friday, September 26, 2008
ON DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
But then again, "doing nothing is very hard to do because you never know when you're finished," said the actor Leslie Nielsen.
SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY
© 2008 Señor Enrique
Aperture: F16
Shutter: 10/500 sec
Focal Length: 87mm
ISO: 400
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Labels: photography, Words of wisdom
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:02 AM
18 Comments:
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JayAshKal said... Jack Haas put it beautifully! Your photo said it too eloquently... I was just reading snippets of Carolyn Johnson's "The Joy of Boredom" and was planning to blog her insights.
When we seem to be doing "nothing" we are contemplating and connecting with our souls, and the spirit world around us. We are silent because we are listening...
Mario-
nutart said...
beautiful words to reflect on! Yah, when one is still and thinking of nothing, then one is very much aware that verything is actively doing something---from our inner physical beingness to life all around!
I was brought up in the knowledge that when a problem is tough to solve, then take a nap! Or just sit still and think of nothing at all. Yun pala yun tawag na "emptying."
I was also told that when you make time to just doing nothing and looking out, you master Time that way. A conundrum!-
BCS said...
This is something which I haven't been able to "do" in a loooong while. Siiigh...
I very much agree with Nielsen. ;)-
said... In this busy life, the hardest thing to do... is not to do anything.
There are days when I just wish there were 25 hours in a day. But then, that is spoken by a mother like me, whose life revolves around three plus one children. (The plus one is hubby of course. hehehe). Ah, but I'm not really complaining. :)
Nice shot, Eric. It amuses me to see young people like the boy in pic, in contemplative mood.-
said...
On doing absolutely nothing or better still, "How sweet it is to do nothing and rest afterwards." Sabi ng misis ko yun daw ang team song ng mga may sakit sa bato (batugan) LOL.
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Unknown said...
Doing nothing can be tiring, especially to people who are busy doing nothing.:D
I like the photo...nakatingin sa kawalan.:D-
Señor Enrique said...
Whoa! Another intriguing "coincidence," Mario! I'll check out Carolyn Johnson's writing.
That's right! It is during our moments of stillness that we best "commune" with the universe.-
Señor Enrique said...
"I was brought up in the knowledge that when a problem is tough to solve, then take a nap! Or just sit still and think of nothing at all. Yun pala yun tawag na 'emptying.'"
And that's exactly what Einstein used to do, Bernadette -- take a nap whenever stumped with something that seemed insoluble.-
Señor Enrique said...
Sometimes the demands of work and family prevent us from enjoying some free time to do absolutely nothing BCS :(
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Señor Enrique said...
I can understand, Rhoda. That's why when that free time comes up, make sure you spend some of it just for yourself :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... I like that, bertN. That's why it's better to get out of the house and got to a nice park and just sit on the bench and enjoy the scenery :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Actually, Luna, it's more tiring to get out of doing something than actually doing the task and get it done with. Besides, time seems to go faster when busy.
Thanks, Luna!-
NOYPETES said...
Maganda yung larawan ng bata na naka-titig sa malayo at tila lumulutang sa hangin ang isipan niya.
Parang katulad ng araw-araw na gawa ng mga mambabatas(daw)nating mga Pilipino sa Batasan Pambansa.
Kaya siguro sila parating nakaka-tulog sa mga luklukan nila dahil ika mo nga ay...
"I was brought up in the knowledge that when a problem is tough to solve, then take a nap! Or just sit still and think of nothing at all. Yun pala yun tawag na 'emptying.'"...
Eh paano na lang yung ibang mga politiko duon sa batasan na "empty" na talaga ang ulo?
Sa bagay ok na rin yun kasi di na sila nakakaramdam ng sakit ng ulo kasi wala ng sasakit pa sa loob ng ulo nila...malulugi ang Tylenol at Excedrin manufacturers sa kanila!-
Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... pero Pareng Pete hindi "empty" mga ulo nila. Busy lang sa pagiisip ng kanilang mga manok na isasabong sa darating the derby!
Busy din ang mga yan sa pagiisip ng mga sari-saring diskarte sa darating na national election ... hehehe.
Kaya huwag muna nating itago ang mga Tylenol at Excedrin! Kakailanganin nila yan!-
said...
This post reminds me of Bertrand Russell's famous essay " In Praise of Idleness"
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Señor Enrique said...
Not familiar with this essay by B. Russell, BW, but googled it and came up with this:
"In Praise of Idleness." Discusses work and the importance of leisure. In order to get an idea of Russell's insight that permeates this book, here's a sample sentence from this essay: "The morality of work is the morality of slaves, and the modern world has no need of slavery."
Strange. Here in Manila, some companies allow their employees to get the cash equivalent of their vacation time; whereas in NYC, employees are urged to take their annual vacation, which I did wholeheartedly :)-
said...
Having money but ending burnt up physically and mentally is recipe for disaster. Vacation from work restores the body and soul.
I have 4 weeks vacation but if you intend to break it up, our company requires that I take at least 2 consecutive weeks and the rest I can juggle up the dates. I think the reason is two-folds a) real rest b:) that someone can do your job when you're gone :)
The Beatles had a lyric in one of their songs that went " Oh, that magic feeling, nowhere to go ". hehe. Absolutely cool !-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, from "You Never Give Me Your Money!"
That's right, BW. Oftentimes we find ourselves denying being on the verge of a burnout; hence, a 'mandatory' vacation is indeed a must.
Your second reason makes a lot of sense as well. Besides, it assures employers that not one of their employees is indeed indispensable ... hehehe.
