Don’t Just Do Something! Sit there!

I write these messages each Friday as part of my prep for Shabbat. I can close out the week knowing next week is prepared and I have had a chance to collect some thoughts and reflect on the week that has passed. As I reflect on this past week, all I can really think about is that it was exhausting. 

My kids are really starting to need more stimulation and are bouncing off the walls. My partner and I are both trying to work from home. Sitting and staring at zoom when I am used to being in the room with others is grating. And, honestly, I feel over it. 

I was part of a workshop this week in which we spoke about how people tend to rush to solve problems but don’t take the time to really understand the problem, which just leads to frustration and more work. 

Someone said that their motto is: “Don’t just do something. Sit there!” And I realized that this was advice I could use. 

Especially right now, I think a lot of us just need to get comfortable with doing less, even doing nothing. 

The problems we are collectively trying to solve are really big but, for most of us, we have some extra time to sit with them. That time is a gift! I am thinking of health care providers who are doing so much with so little time to reflect or recharge. So I’m taking my time today. I don’t have solutions to my problems, our problems, but I’m going to sit still a while and try to really wrap my head around them as my starting point. 

Inviting you to sit still a while and see what comes from it.