Busyness and Morality
Would you agree with this statement: That we put an excessive moral value on the amount of activity we are engaged in ... that is, busyness. We feel pleased with ourselves somehow and are expecting others also to be busy and are somehow pleased with it. After a number of good discussions on this topic with a friend, I've come to view much of my busyness as actually at least somewhat detrimental to my livelihood and general health and wellbeing. There is no greater moral benefit to being busy to me and yet I feel a pressure around me from others to believe there is. Do you agree?
Many of our usual greetings amount to what have you been doing lately. I think we generally want to have an answer that we can be proud of for those questions... So, if the answer is "Not much, just enjoying life, reading a bit" It is pretty unsatisfying for both parties. That's the furst thing that came to my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe second thing that came to mind, is that no one wants to fall behind. In terms of personal growth, financial growth, growth of our talents. I certainly don't want to have people say to me, that I could have been so much more than I was if only I had tried. Consequently, I'm inclined to try and stay busy so that I am getting the most out of my time.
...whether I AM getting the most out of my time, is a good question. There's definitely good reasons to slow down. Its tough to hear the still small voice of God, when I'm busy.
Doing good things isn't doing the right things.
ReplyDelete"I am busy these days" is my way of probing for a response from the listener. I long to hear (or at least have them think) "boy that Pat must be important to the world and he sure is doing great things for society." If someone believes that about me then maybe I will believe it about myself and my busyness will have paid off. I can see no other reason to be busy except to make myself feel better. Well, I guess it also fulfills the Biblical admonition to "be busy and know that I am God" or "on the 7th day God got busy". Hey Grey clad, your profile says that you are "laid back"...what's your stress level?
ReplyDeleteA catch-phrase I have heard alot lately is people encouraging one another to get involved in "what God is doing". Christianity generally worships a God that has "done great things" and will do "immeasurably more than you ask for" and has saved, is saving or wanting to save everyone... It's ingrained my friend. To believe and remain inactive is to be the dreaded anti-paul that traditionally Christianity calls 'mystic'. Mostly I think because it is not understood and so mostly not accepted.
ReplyDelete