Yesterday, I talked about showing your
appreciation for others. Today is a new day.
“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.” - Lin Yutang
The modern world is
content-oriented. It’s always thinking about the next product and
how to keep putting out the next big thing. It drives the economy and
enables us to live more comfortably. This mindset keeps us very busy
to the point where we’re always looking to meet deadlines. It feels
great to get things done, but we often forget to take breathers.
This applies to everything we do
in life. Sometimes it’s for the best for us to not do anything in
order for us to be able to figure things out. For projects,
especially, this is a great tool for inspiration.
When we give our minds time to
unconsciously consider things it helps us come up with new ways to
approach them. When we go about studying for a test, taking breaks
gives your brain time to internalize what you’ve been studying.
With video games, all of that stimulation takes its toll on our
mental resources, so taking periodic breaks lets our brains and eyes
rest.
This applies to how we prioritize
things, too. This last month I haven’t had any internet. In Japan,
it takes about two-three weeks for internet companies to come to your
home (if you’re in an urban area) and set things up. Unfortunately
for me, my apartment is located in a building that requires a
land-line, so I can’t do mobile wi-fi for a reasonable price and
speed.
During this time I’ve been
prioritizing on work since the new school year has started and so
although having no internet (outside of cafes) sucks, the experience
has let me realize how much free time I actually have. By not doing
my usual routines on online (leaving things undone) I’ve had more
time to prioritize my time doing other things like going outside to
take pictures of the sakura blossoms, think of ways to work on my
teaching/improve my school’s atmosphere, and working on some music.
Although the internet allows me
to do many things, it’s not absolutely necessary in my life, and by
taking it away I’ve been able to get other things done that I
normally prioritized less time on. This experience has opened my eyes
to creating a new balance in how I spend my free time.
When one door closes, another one
always opens.
Peace
 |
| The sakura bloom for only two weeks out of the year. If we're not careful we might miss it. |
Today’s assignment: Look for non-essentials you can eliminate. See how your priorities affect how you spend your time.
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