One reason people stay busy doing and buying is fear.
If you are too busy you don’t have to do things that might frighten you because, "I just don’t have time for it."
But, it’s when you go beyond what is comfortable that life becomes most alive.
If you keep feeling an urge to draw, but keep yourself busy then you never have to go through that awkward beginner stage. You don’t have to judge whether you are good or bad at it. You don’t have to potentially fail.
You also don’t get the rush of learning something new or creating. You don’t get to do what may make your soul happy.
I was at my Saturday morning Groove class and they mentioned they were going to a Buddy Holly tribute dance party that night. The thought sent excitement through my heart. I knew this would be fun.
Yet I didn’t know where to park. I’d have to go there and hope to find them. Then there was the dancing in front of people thing. Also, what if we were the oldest people there?
About an hour before it was time to go I got "too tired." I also had laundry to finish. Laundry seemed exceptionally important at that moment.
I am very familiar with these voices and knew what was going on, so I gently told them to go away. I pictured me smiling on the dance floor and got ready.
I found parking. Met up with everyone. Danced, danced, danced. I felt completely alive.
(We weren’t even the oldest people dancing. We had older couples swing dancing and teenagers dressed in 50’s clothing on the floor with us.)
Last year, I was convinced I didn’t have time to join the worship team at church. But, really it was because I was used to singing in choir and groups – not singing with just a few others on stage. I started off timid and have grown each time I am on stage. Last Sunday each of us even did a solo on a verse and a chorus. My heart was beating faster than normally but I sang it and was so happy I did.
I used to let fear stop me from doing many things. I claimed busyness and tiredness. No one pressed me. I excused myself and lived a much smaller life.
How about you? Do you have anything that has been calling to you? Anything you’d love to try or experience if only you weren’t so busy?
This is so me…For the last decade probably. And in all honesty, I didn’t realize exactly what I was doing until I read this (I knew I had been NOT doing things that I would enjoy and often backing out of things at the last minute – very akin to your laundry and “tired” story). I am going to start asking myself every time I think about NOT doing something if it is out of FEAR. I am very busy, but I do often use it as an excuse. Thanks for the head’s up!
This is so powerful to think about… how busyness keeps us safe. Thank you for sharing… good food for thought.
Laundry seemed exceptionally important at that moment – favourite line ever
Reminds me of something Gretchen Rubin’s sister said when GR was considering getting a dog – if you’re undecided, choose the option that will make your life bigger 🙂
xxx
Marcia, I remember that episode! I like the question, “What feels most alive?”
I couldn’t agree more with your statements. Often, we’re too anxious and too afraid to try new things as we tend to think ahead of what others would have to say. We often think too much to the extent that we’re already depriving ourselves of the things that we’re capable of doing. It’s very important that we come out of our shell to explore new things and to measure how far our skills can go. Only then can we develop self-confidence and higher self-esteem.
Yeah, it is a scary world out there but the one doing the most scary stuff is our inner self saying “too hard” all the time.
I think we all fall into that pit. Challenging yourself to get out of the pit or pity party is a great way to make it just a dip in the floor which is easy to step over. Lots of dancing for me, please!