I tend to be one of those perpetually busy, time-crunched people who feel like they always have to be doing something, have to make efficient use of every available second.  Our society encourages us to be such.  We are told that this is one of the keys to success.  We have an arsenal of technological tools that allow us to work/accomplish/do no matter where we are.  However, I have learned, only recently, that sometimes the most efficient thing to do is nothing.  It’s counter-intuitive, I admit, but sitting still and being quiet is doing something and is valuable.

I have a PDA; I could write, read or edit on the train to and from work.  Sometimes I do.  But usually I just sit quietly and do nothing.  By “nothing” I mean I breathe, bask in the sunshine if there is any, try to find my calm center and anchor myself to it, all the while watching the people around me and wondering what their lives are like, what their dreams are.  It only looks like I am doing nothing.  I am really preparing myself for my day (or evaluating it) and reminding myself that we are all God’s children, that we are all equally important and equally valuable in God’s eyes.

It is calming to be quiet and still.  If I started my day in a mad rush, frantically trying to accomplish as much as possible, as fast as possible, then I would be a stressed, frayed, impatient mess.  (More so than usual, I mean.)  Allowing some space in my day for quiet “nothingness” helps me act and react more efficiently, more effectively and most importantly, with more compassion.  It is worth the investment.

Some people pray in the stillness; some people don’t.  Either way the quiet is good for you.  And either way, it is likely to make you a better, more compassionate, more patient person.  I also think that either way it probably pleases God.

So, put away your preferred productivity gadget once in a while and just be where you are.  You may be surprised at what you find in the quiet.