The art of doing nothing.

In Italy, they call it "dolce far niente" the sweetness of doing nothing. Niksen is what the Dutch call it. It is very well understood in some cultures, but here, and in many places in the world, doing nothing seems so mediocre. We have been taught to utilize every minute of our time wisely, and productively, to gain success. Every minute counts. When we wake up, our morning has to be programmed in a sufficiently productive way. Leaving very little room for error, meaning, being late, or doing something not planned. Impromptu situations could become catastrophic ones. The entire day follows at the same pace. Staying ahead of time is maybe "better", and celebrated as a sign of superiority and intelligence. People that manage their time well, are or should be very successful. But is this true? Usually, I experience that the more open-minded I remain, the more calm I get in resolving last-minute changes of plans or deviations. My father taught us this at a very young age, he always said "There are no problems, just different solutions". I took that as a mantra for life. I lack many things, but creativity I am good at. I have witnessed that the more I remain curious and calm the better I react and solve. So my plan for many years has been, solving situations, always moving forward, let's say staying proactive.

The other day I was talking to my mom about life and its numerous surprises. How we can manifest so much, by just imagining it, putting our full attention towards what we want. Thinking very strongly and making it a given. I have witnessed the power of attraction and manifestation, for what I want, many times. For that I am grateful. But other situations happen and come our way. We can't control that. It's life. We simply must surrender. And trust. This is where doing nothing comes into play.

Little kids have this art so innately. They stare into the distance and go to another place. Teachers say, get down from your cloud! Pay attention! or, 'she lives on a different planet, --earth to Mars!!!!'

Have you ever witnessed yourself saying "Snap out of it?' Your brain just took a pause and went somewhere. Wondering and wandering minds, looking at nothing in front of us, daydreaming but not really, because our minds just wander in silence. Staring at nothing, in the distance. This is the ability we innately have to let our brain rest, to let it be, to ground ourselves into space and time. Doing nothing, thinking about nothing. We have been taught to stay present, aware, engaged, and to perform. But some people got it right! They know, the more they let their brain wander and rest, the better it performs. Maybe letting it fly into those "Alpha" waves we need to create solutions.

We now know the power of sleeping, and how regenerative it is. But being awake and doing nothing is also so beneficial. How wonderful could it be for every human being to get a break? To allow ourselves to rest from thinking, from feeling, from moving, from creating, from performing. Allowing ourselves to float into our existence and time. How rewarding would it be to acknowledge that we are alive? It would ground us, and make us so humble and grateful. We would allow ourselves to feel, and understand our thoughts by letting them be, to experience our humanity to the fullest. And after we settle our physical body, the brain will follow. Our functions will rule. For a brief moment, our ailments will be felt, and our connection to our physical body will surface. Our brain will get a better idea of the connection between it all. The healing would be felt. Our feelings will be raw and honest. Our silence will allow the noise in our heads to find the right space. We would surrender. We would allow it all. We would connect to our higher power, just letting it be, in peace and harmony.

My wish to us all is to try to find that time in a day, or during the week when we prioritize this art. The art of doing nothing.

All my love to you,

Peace,

Gabriela