DOING NOTHING - when doing nothing is doing something

The Power of Stillness – When Doing Nothing, is Doing Something

Are you doing nothing? After all, who said that you had to do something?

From the outside it’s easy for others to judge or assume that you aren’t doing anything with your life. But who are they to tell you who you are? Who you should be? Or what you’ll become? Did you request their advice? Have they listened to your needs?

Consider their judgement. Are they speaking from a place of understanding, or merely echoing their own unexplained beliefs?

Before giving an opinion or leaving advice, it is important to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. In life it is important to have acceptance and understanding. Perhaps other people’s perspective is what needs to adapt and change. Not your own. Use your discernment.

Who said you need to constantly chase? Doing nothing can be doing something. Sometimes happiness is the ability to just to be, to exist in the moment and to live in the present. That’s what life is all about.

Everyone is unique, shaped by their own experiences and truth, and it is in honouring this individuality that we discover the essence of authenticity. Sometimes greatness emerges from silence, and stillness nurtures deep insight.

It takes courage to sit quiet with yourself for a while and just think. It takes guts to ignore negativity and believe in yourself. Self-reflection is not time-bound. It can take you a day, it can take you a year, maybe ten. But you should never underestimate the power of your own mind.

Some of the greatest minds in history only made it after years of contemplation. After living in thought and in so-called failure only to emerge in their own greatness.

Albert Einstein’s greatest theory of relativity was partly developed during long walks and periods of contemplation, and he himself credited these moments of stillness as crucial to his creative process and problem-solving abilities.

Similarly, Isaac Newton experienced a period of significant scientific advancement during the plague of 1665 when he retreated to his family estate. This time away from the pressures of academia allowed him to make monumental discoveries in mathematics and physics, an era he later described as his ‘year of miracles’.

These experiences have been mirrored in recent times, througout the Covid pandemic, when numerous people took time away from unfulfilling careers and used it as an opportunity to reflect and advance.

At times, supposedly ‘doing nothing’ and contemplating the next step is the right step. Sometimes, what may be perceived as doing nothing is doing something.

If you have lost your sense of self and your purpose is nowhere to be found, the solution may in fact be in doing nothing. So stop listening to others and start listening to your own voice. Trust what is within you. Have the courage to let go of all expectations and pause from the noise of daily life.

When you let go of trying to do everything and stop living by others ideals and expectations of you, you can find your sense of purpose. When you silence the critics, take time for yourself and introspect, you begin to realign yourself with your own authenticity.

There are moments when life feels stagnant, as though nothing is unfolding, however excellence is being built and preserved in the mind. Brilliance is being kept from the negative influences so that it has the chance to flourish and grow. What may be silently manifesting is acceptance. It is self-love, it is wisdom, it is truth, it is genius. Sometimes self-belief.

Greatness and healing isn’t built in a day, it can take as long as it takes for your soul to grow. So, you need to do what makes you happy.

You shouldn’t put a timer on how life should turn out. Everyone has their own rhythm and is entitled to their own experience. Sometimes the lesson in life is in learning to just be. So we must learn to be patient with others and be patient with ourselves. Never allow anyone to tell you your worth and don’t compare your life to others.

At times when you try and push for something, what you get is in fact nothing. So it is best to allow creativity and progress to evolve more organically – out of truth and sincerity.

As Socrates once said “The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.” No-one was born knowledgeable, and some souls may take longer than others to learn and grow.

Everyone travels their own path. Some have to go through life lessons while others enjoy living in the present moment. Not everyone was born with the same ideal nor the same advantage. And not everyone wants the same things. So, it’s important not to judge.

Reflect on whether the voices around you are champions of your growth or merely shadows of their own doubts. Evaluate if their advice serves your path or simply their perspective. People will be quick to tell you how to run your life but they can’t even run their own.

Know that sometimes it is okay to do nothing. It’s okay to take time and contemplate.

Then perhaps one day, out of doing nothing, when there is no more thinking or stillness required, you will be able to discern the voice within you. Maybe one day, from the void, when there is no external pressure getting you down or outside influences telling you what or who to be, you will be able to discern your soul’s message. Only then, in the comfort of your own silence, will action begin to take place. Allowing change to happen and greatness to ensue.