“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
—Mary Oliver (excerpt from The Summer Day)
It’s in the first rolling laugh and that resolute waddle. As a singular tooth pokes through the palate, eagerly awaiting life’s new found savoriness, adults assemble, collectively awestruck at baby’s perceived brilliance. Perhaps, witnessing ourselves mirrored as “beginners”, we take note of this miraculous design, humanity’s imprint made visibly palpable.
Shortly thereafter, noun becomes verb. We no longer view only a compilation of genetic propensities, noticeable milestones. Now, little “Ethan” or “Sarah” move into action, crawling to running and onto sprinting. Today’s toddlers become invariably consumed with scheduled play-dates, dance classes and Pee-Wee leagues. Subsequently, vigorous promotion of academics before traditional Kindergarten have children as young as five years subjectively falling behind when letter recognition is deemed inadequate. Within a taut set of school guidelines and prearranged, overextended, and possibly coerced activity, youngsters are kept in a constant state of motion. Self-direction and autonomy cast aside, these eventual grown-ups are trained to be...busy, busy, busy.
In adulthood, our passionate hobbies may later transform into dream careers, yet, we often lose sight of our primary focus. It’s as if imbedding ourselves in fervent busyness, we affirm our validity, perhaps subconsciously claiming we’re “enough.” Our mark has been met, we’ve scored, we exist. For some, this push to productivity is so frenetically ingrained, it diminishes any possible joy, the impetus for the initial call to action. We become automated, drilled to compliance, whether by select authority figures or of our own making. Disengaged from the processing experience, working with great efficiency to garner fruit, we forgo our unique sense of presence.
Mindlessly maneuvering throughout our day with grinding momentum, we give detriment to our birthright, our soul’s expression. Inevitably, we acquire a lost sense of self and purpose which transcends the hunger for unattained dreams. Our fellow life travelers are also short-changed as our creative gifts are being denied by our inattention. Our thirst lingers.
This life requests and requires our Presence. This life relishes our Be-ing, over our Do-ing, in action or stillness, producing alone or as a conscious co-creation. Begin as the newborn, in quiet repose or wonder, unfolding gently. Go. (And) Do. With all of your Being.
Cindy Weinstein, degreed in special education, with training primarily for the deaf pre-school and elementary populations, is our ground reporter from Medford, N.J. She spends her spare time musing life’s “magic” as it unfolds, while dabbling in yoga, journalistic writing and poetry. She cites tap dancing as a serious bucket-list item.
From Medford, N.J.:
Minding Your Business
by Cindy Weinstein