There is something about the summer that just inspires laziness and overall enjoyment of life, doncha think?
The heat and the humidity tell us to slow down and spend some time on the porch or patio (or the hammock if you are lucky enough to have one), during the heat of the day or evening.
However, thanks to air conditioning, and the generally hectic pace of modern life, we seldom slow down anymore no matter how hot it gets. In this regard, we are going against nature.
Do you see animals working hard in the heat, of their own accord? Nope, they are lazing in some shady spot, eyeing us humans and no doubt wondering why we are acting so damn crazy.
Karen made a thought-provoking post on her blog, Profound Journey, a couple of days ago, regarding slowing down and doing nothing. Not only is the post worth a read (as all of hers are), but the comments are as well. Most of us are doing too much and feeling guilty, should we be doing “nothing”. Whatever doing “nothing” means to you.
For some of us it is anytime we are not doing “something” for someone else.
For others it is whenever we are not producing “something” or going somewhere to do “something”.
For most of us, it is when we feel we are not using our time efficiently – we are “wasting time”, doing “nothing”. Or “nothing in particular”.
We are being lazy, by doing “nothing”.
But what if we reframe this and call it something else? I just downloaded the digital version ($2.65 on Kobo!) of a book I borrowed from the library many years ago. This book opened my mind to the revolutionary (to me) idea that doing “nothing” is vital to creativity and the spirit. Back in the ’80s, when I first read If You Want to Write, this book was already old. It was first published in 1938.
“So you see, imagination needs moodling, – long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering.” If you want to write – Brenda Ueland
Moodling. What a great, old-fashioned word that needs to make a comeback! Let’s not call our lovely, empty days or hours being “lazy” or doing “nothing”. Why not write “moodling” or “moodle time” or “gone moodling” in your calendar instead?
I’ve grown to love moodling. And I hardly even don’t feel guilty about it, anymore.
And if you’re new to the concept of moodling, the long, languid days of summer are the perfect time to start working on your moodle game. Abandon any air-conditioned spaces and find a nice shady spot to stretch out in, with a good book and a cold bevvy. It’ll help start you on the righteous path. (You get bonus points if you doze off!)
Let’s make this the Summer of Laziness Moodling.
Rock (and moodle) on,
The WB
Can you guess my theme for this year’s A-Z Challenge? All of my A-Z posts this month will be tied into my theme, which is represented by the title of a song that was popular when I was a child. Can you figure it out as the days (and posts) go by? Leave your guesses (one per day only, please) in the comments. At the end of the challenge, I will reveal the theme. Have fun!
