As you know, I am a ninja, a blackbelt, a lifelong committed “doer.” Nothing makes me happier than crossing things off my list and at the end of the day saying, “Wow, that was a wonderfully productive day!”
But I am a novice at simply “being.” My instincts, carefully honed over the decades, are being active in getting shit done.
When I thought about this, I remembered having conversations with friends, commenting that I looked forward to the time where I could sprawl out on the couch with a book and luxuriously bathe in great literature, interesting biographies, just plain fun novels—all while having wonderful music playing in the background.
It was a dream of nirvana. So why haven’t I done exactly that?
Well, using my newly reclaimed passion for playing the trumpet, I realize that, duh, it’s all about the practice. I sit each day, practicing long tones, flexibility exercises, scales and studies to bring my level back. I see the progress, but it requires:
- Mindset
- Patience
- Time
- Attentiveness (to the voice in me that tells me it’s ok if I don’t)
- Understanding (of the goal)
- Dedication
I have put practicing “being” in the same category. If I want to be more in touch with what brings me joy, what brings me closer to my heart, I need to be dedicated to practice.
Let me know how you’re doing with your ability to ease off the “doing.”
