One of my favorite sayings from my beloved, farmer Georgia uncle (now passed) is “life is short and then we die.” The saying was always used to give permission to do something that was not “work,” to slow down and take time to just…be…in the world.
Again thank you for a nice essay, Tara. You may enjoy the book "The Art of the Wasted Day" by Patricia Hampl. I was lucky enough to encounter it the year I retired.
I have a few creative pursuits, guitar, drawing, writing, and I find that with each of them my best work comes when I have a sliver of an idea, a seed to be grown, and instead of outlining or thoroughly planning, I improvise, just see where my mind wanders and the connections I make simply by being with the work instead of trying to control it. I think this is different from taking the time to study and learn the basics, but once you can form a solid structure, you're free to build however you want. And this can be applied to many if not all aspects of life. It's taking the time to be creative, to explore and just see what happens that enriches life. I'm not sure if this is exactly covered by your definition of dawdling, but this is where my mind went.
Always a lesson to be learned right smack in the middle of your writing...in addition to the delightful allowing of our imaginations to picture every word you write, and to see just a bit of what you see through your eyes.
Beautiful! I love all of this! I want to raise my littlest ones in awe of the simplest things in nature. My oldest one will already stop in his tracks to admire a beautiful sky or animal or tree or... And I love the idea of a sit spot!
And cooking is an art you have to add your own intention and love. Recipes are merely guidelines (this attitude sometimes backfires on me) however it brings me such joy when something delicious and beautiful comes out!
"Slow down to the speed of curiosity so wonder can catch up to you. " – What a beautifully crafted summary of yet another of your insightful writings. Thank you!
Love this. Thank you. I have started walking in the woods again with my 2 year old and reminding myself, we have no destination except to admire and dawdle. It’s hard carrying a 30 lb toddler in a backpack to reach the woods, a bit a ways away, but so worth it when we explore. Thanks for the encouragement. I love the old recipes. I want to learn more about mushrooms. ❤️
Once again, you create such beauty and Truth with your words, Tara. I live in the suburbs, but have a non-negotiable date with the forest alone every week. It is by far my most potent medicine. My time to speak to my ancestors, my deceased father, and to God. To be a child in full awe an wonder. One day, when I was feeling quite scarce about money, having visions of myself retiring destitute (despite the fact that I'm in my 30's!), I went into the forest and as I looked around, I realized, all of this is mine and it always will be. All of this abundance is for me (and of course, for all of life). It doesn't need to be earned. It gives and gives . I found such comfort on that day.
III: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
We are being instructed to dawdle once a week! Awesome!
One of my favorite sayings from my beloved, farmer Georgia uncle (now passed) is “life is short and then we die.” The saying was always used to give permission to do something that was not “work,” to slow down and take time to just…be…in the world.
Again thank you for a nice essay, Tara. You may enjoy the book "The Art of the Wasted Day" by Patricia Hampl. I was lucky enough to encounter it the year I retired.
I have a few creative pursuits, guitar, drawing, writing, and I find that with each of them my best work comes when I have a sliver of an idea, a seed to be grown, and instead of outlining or thoroughly planning, I improvise, just see where my mind wanders and the connections I make simply by being with the work instead of trying to control it. I think this is different from taking the time to study and learn the basics, but once you can form a solid structure, you're free to build however you want. And this can be applied to many if not all aspects of life. It's taking the time to be creative, to explore and just see what happens that enriches life. I'm not sure if this is exactly covered by your definition of dawdling, but this is where my mind went.
Hmmm, the third commandment…
Maybe that’s what He had in mind.
Always a lesson to be learned right smack in the middle of your writing...in addition to the delightful allowing of our imaginations to picture every word you write, and to see just a bit of what you see through your eyes.
Thank you 🥰
Beautiful! I love all of this! I want to raise my littlest ones in awe of the simplest things in nature. My oldest one will already stop in his tracks to admire a beautiful sky or animal or tree or... And I love the idea of a sit spot!
And cooking is an art you have to add your own intention and love. Recipes are merely guidelines (this attitude sometimes backfires on me) however it brings me such joy when something delicious and beautiful comes out!
I share your dislike of busyness.
"Slow down to the speed of curiosity so wonder can catch up to you. " – What a beautifully crafted summary of yet another of your insightful writings. Thank you!
Love this. Thank you. I have started walking in the woods again with my 2 year old and reminding myself, we have no destination except to admire and dawdle. It’s hard carrying a 30 lb toddler in a backpack to reach the woods, a bit a ways away, but so worth it when we explore. Thanks for the encouragement. I love the old recipes. I want to learn more about mushrooms. ❤️
Once again, you create such beauty and Truth with your words, Tara. I live in the suburbs, but have a non-negotiable date with the forest alone every week. It is by far my most potent medicine. My time to speak to my ancestors, my deceased father, and to God. To be a child in full awe an wonder. One day, when I was feeling quite scarce about money, having visions of myself retiring destitute (despite the fact that I'm in my 30's!), I went into the forest and as I looked around, I realized, all of this is mine and it always will be. All of this abundance is for me (and of course, for all of life). It doesn't need to be earned. It gives and gives . I found such comfort on that day.
Quite the subtle lesson on dawdling there Tara. Brilliant!
Thank you. I have a 10 month old and this reminds me to just be with her, dawdling ❤️