Change the World by Doing “NO” thing

I recently decided to take several do nothing days to truly relax and be at peace. When I told my friends what I was planning they responded with, “I am really good at that” or “I could take an Olympic medal in doing nothing.” But do we really know what doing nothing means? It’s not as easy as it sounds.

On the first day of doing nothing I realized I was still doing something: I was reading, answering my cell phone, and eating. I would normally view those things as doing nothing or chilling out. However, as I started to wonder about what doing nothing meant, my awareness shifted. By its own definition it’s a “non thing”, therefore, I knew right away that the 14 tasks on my to-do list would have to go. That was easy. But what about eating, is that a nothing or something? How about reading? Even going to the park was doing something. Where did I draw the line?

If we really want to relax and find peace doing nothing, first we have to determine what nothing is. I decided for myself that sitting in the sun, clearing my mind, having no outside contact, eating, drinking water and observing was not doing. On the other hand, I decided that reading, writing, talking, taking a shower, walking and thinking were doing. Each of us has to find what nothing means to us.

Second, doing nothing is not easy. I thought I was ready. I woke up and had a good start at doing nothing. It lasted an hour before my mind started racing. Then I found myself making excuses to do things. My ego was not going to let me do nothing for the whole day. It was too much. I ended up getting up and doing. My second day was better, by the 4th day I had worked up to 4 hours of doing nothing.

If you are planning on taking some time to do nothing, I would suggest contacting the people close to you to let them know you’re spending the day doing nothing so they don’t freak out when they can’t get a hold of you. Also, understand that it’s a gradual process. I felt like I flunked the first day until I realized that 1 hour of doing nothing is better than 8 hours of something.

How delightful it is to know that you can really surrender into doing nothing no matter how short or how long. How empowering it is to know that you still have control over how you choose to spend your time. It’s like watching the world go by while you’re calmly floating out in the universe. Maybe someday Do Nothing Day will be declared a national holiday. Just think how we could energetically change the world if all of us took one day of the year to be at peace doing nothing. I’m already planning my next do nothing day. How about you?