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The incomparable Jamie Ridler is nourishing us with The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. And I couldn't stay away even if I wanted to... :)
This week was dedicated to nothing.
The above Vision Card that I made pretty much depicts how well that went for me.
Not so much.
Yet, still. Greatly!
It wasn't for lack of trying, that's for sure. When I finally was able to set some time from my hectic and stressful days to sit and quietly do nothing. Without any stimulations whatsoever. Trying to push away the myriads of things milling in my head, I fell asleep.
Totally, passed out.
I succeeded for about 5 minutes this week. When a slice of heavenly nothing let me float in it, away from all the nagging worries and meaningless concerns that crowd my day.
It was beautiful.
Short but sweet.
But here is the clincher. And it's a huge one folks.
For the first time in my life, I did not berate myself for not having achieved my goal!
I did not shake my head at myself, or point any fingers in my direction.
Nothing.
I accepted that I did what I could, and that I was so exhausted that sleep had to take precedence over nothing.
So nothing was not achieved, but something great happened.
Instead of the critic, I heard the dulcet tones of nothing.
I am very interested to see what others have achieved or maybe more importantly, haven't! :)
35 comments:
You've find the kindness in finding your 15 minutes. And yes, the not berating ourselves if we didn't make the whole 15 or found our minds wandering. I did that too -- I was going to "bail" after 10 and then thought, no I'd just sit there for another 5 since I had given myself 15. And I didn't feel guilty for doing it which is a huge step!
I love your vision card...it makes me feel still just looking at it.
Ahh yes, conquering the guilt demon is a requirement of nothing - but with practice we can win every time.
Actually ... you did succeed. You said that you had a glimpse of the goal for about 5 minutes - even if it had been 30 seconds - you know that it's there and will always be there waiting for you.
I bet that you aren't half as hard on your students as you are on yourself.
once you get the hang of doing nothing, it can really become quite addictive :)
Lovely image! There is a kind of magical stillness in it!
Great you did not get angry with you over to little steps! This would mean more to me then reaching the whole goal! (I am so overcritical too)
Happy week!
This is a huge nothing, Genie !!!;) Subduing that inner critic and listening to the true needs of the self - well that has to be on the menu for a Joy Diet !
You are amazing and inspiring, you know, beautiful Seeker Woman.
Getting your inner critic to hush it and allow you a little peace of mind was a HUGE successful moment Genie! I loved your image above!
Congratulations on finding even 5 minutes and not beating yourself up about doing nothing, maybe next week it will be 10 min!
I love that you found this self-acceptance, Genie. I can certainly learn from it. Your vision card is amazing!
GOt totally side tracked by the title, lol! And read all the post humming The Sound of music (Remember? "Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good" Bet you are humming too :D )
Great achievement in not getting annoyed at yourself! That little rest was much needed, I´m sure. :)
Doing "nothing" can mean so many different things to different people. For you, crashing into a deep slumber was the ultimate reflection of doing nothing. Congratulations!
Oh, this is such a lovely creation Genie...a beautiful space that I could sink into a deep and restful sleep in!
What a beautiful vision card!
I am treating this more like an experiment than a must do. I tried different ways to do nothing and most didn't work. I hope you are able to find rest.
Hurray for honoring who you are and not letting that inner critic take you down! Beautiful!
I LOVE your card! SO beautiful and simple...yet what a statement it makes!
LOOOOVE the card, love that you allowed yourself to be okay, just fine, accepted as it, no berating! So many hugs to you! k-
Love your vision card.
I can so relate - trying to get 5 min. was difficult and I was so tired I probably would have fallen asleep if I had tried longer!
Great that you are being kind to yourself and honouring what you can do!
So glad to hear that you are being gentle with yourself. Here is to much more flowing nothingness.
love to you...
The lesson I'm learning is that Nothing can mean something different and take a different form on any given day. I think if we approach it the way you did and accept where we are, then there's no way we can go wrong.
Here's to Something even when it's not exactly Nothing!
P.S. Nice to meet you! I look forward to exploring your blog!
Hello Genie Sea,
Love your card and post, very profound in allowing your self to find the time no matter how long to do nothing!Angie :)
Wow, to think you didn't find what you hoped but instead found self-kindness in the quiet. A miracle I'd say.
Genie, I adore your card! Beautiful.
I love your vision card and good for you for doing your best! It is really enough!
YOur vision card beautifully fits your journey into nothing this week. What a gift to find self compassion. I sort of took that road myself this week. Take care.
I love your vision card. I think you found in your quest for NOTHING that you needed sleep! Isn't that good?! Finding what you NEED and you accepted that. Yippeee!
Your vision card is BEAUTIFUL, Genie! I agree with what others have said, I think it's great that you achieved what you did. YAY!
Genie, isn't it wonderful to actually accomplish something when you think you didn't and to be all right with it? I'm proud of you!
I am struck by your open ness to welcome something different from your expectation - I think that's a great lesson to take away from the week. Your vision card is so perfect for this.
As I read the chapter on truth last night and woke this morning thinking how will I answer these questions? it struck me that I'm rushing things - I haven't done the work yet and I need to lay my expectations aside for something to come.
Have a great week - look forward to reading you next week.
Genie, you have no idea how much I've missed your posts!
I still have to get my Joy Diet book and catch up.
Hit a little detour in my life, but back on track now.
Hope you had a fabulous summer!
xo
I had great difficulty with getting to nothing at the beginning of the week. I can completely related to what you wrote. I think it is amazing that you were able to see this as learning and not berate yourself for it.
How beautiful, Genie - both the card and the experience. I'm glad you're on the joy journey :)
Yay!! Being able to do a bit and then not berate yourself for not being perfect (and who's perfect?) is so fabulous!! Hugs to you! xo
hey Ms Genie Sea! nice to hear from you the past week.. I have been crazy with life and neglected many blogs.. :(
good to see that you are going gently with yourself !xo
Congratulations on going easy on yourself and for listening to the wisdom of your body.
Lovely card - & delightful insights! THis sounds like a good book - am tempted to join in again
Just got some Moldavite (green stone - possible meteorite origin), & it's a real meditation inspiration.
blessings!
beautiful visioncard
and may your wednesday wishes come true
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