In a recent session, one of my movement clients asked if I was getting out for walks and enjoying the beautiful weather. (For reference, as I write this, it is 55º and mostly sunny.) I answered with humor and complete sincerity: “What outside? Is there weather?” This week requires a more-than-usual amount of focused time with my books, at my computer, or in my studio. If something is not on my schedule, it will not likely happen, and going out for the sake of going out did not occur to me.

As my client told me how much I had to get out there, even for a few minutes with a cup of coffee or something, a voice in my head said, “You should spend an hour in nature every day, unless you’re too busy. Then, you should spend 2 hours.” There is a version of this saying with different times and another version with “meditation” instead of “nature”. The general idea is the same— Humans need time and space for being; when doing starts to take over, we need even more being. That increased intention helps to shift our perspective. It helps us bring us back into balance.

After that brief interaction, I made my way back home and back to my computer. I scanned the area and wondered if I could sit outside and do my work. It was a little chilly for my taste. So, no. But I could take in what was around me as I walked. Observe. Breathe. Be present in those few steps from one place to the next. Being was my doing for that moment.

There is a lot in this world that demands our attention. Our energy. Our doing. I pray that we all remember our Being. It’s the only thing we are guaranteed to have for our whole life. It’s precious. And important. The doing? That’s just a small part of it.

Take care out there…
Pastor Tijuana