Many years ago at the beginning of a class I was taking, the instructor asked each student to give their name and tell a little about themselves. Everyone told about their work and activities. Finally, one woman stood up, said her name, and announced in a sweet, Southern drawl, “What do I do? I sit – on the veranda. I sip – iced tea.”
At first we all laughed. Then we laughed at ourselves. What is wrong with sitting back and relaxing? Why do we have to be in constant motion?
I tend to make things more challenging than they need be. I can’t serve a simple meal. Everything has to be homemade. I send handwritten notes and make my own window treatments. My house is immaculately clean, books on shelves are categorized, and I maintain detailed, up-to-date records on everything imaginable.
I can’t just watch TV or listen to music. I have to also read, write, clean, pay bills, or work on the computer. We also have a large circle of family and friends we see often. And along with everyone else, I live in a world that is technologically complicated and over-crowded with people, goods, and activity.
Sometimes I long for a simpler life. There is something to be said about residing in a small, uncluttered home in an area with little to do, no one to see, and nowhere to go. Days would be calm and predictable. From a smaller wardrobe to fewer choices of restaurants, stores, and events to attend, life would be less stressful.
Quite honestly, though, I have to admit, I enjoy all the little things I do. They are ways in which I express myself. I’ve had opportunities to vacation in secluded areas and enjoyed it very much – for the time – but I have to admit that I don’t think I can let go and relax completely and indefinitely. Keeping busy makes me feel alive.
©2013, Mary K. Doyle
Midwest Mary 
Great post. If only there seemed to be enough time to just sit!!!! Sometimes I feel like a ping pong ball in constant motion. So to anyone or everyone…….how do we get ourselves to “sit” and enjoy His Blessings?
I guess we need to schedule r&r time?!?! Maybe that is what we need to do, or just say no and do sit on the front porch. “Quiet time” this is what we had at our house when the kids were small. After a long day of homeschooling, after supper, and about 1/2 hour before bed we had quiet time. No loud noises, no tv, no games, just book or magazine reading. Ahhhh the quiet. I need to do that even though all the kids are grown.
We do need our down time to recharge.