Disengage to Engage: The Hummingbird Principle

In business, we're all about action and movement. 

I got up this morning and, for the first time in recent memory, was totally overwhelmed by what was on the calendar/to-do list. My first instinct was to shout "54-40 or Fight" or maybe"Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too" and attack with a vengeance. But there was just no energy to do anything on the task list.

So, I did what most of us would consider a weenie cop-out: nothing. Zero.

Sat on the back deck, sipped coffee, thought about. . .nothing. From 6 am until noon. Instead, I watched. . .

. . .this collage of Creation taking place in the midst of our busyness.

All of this unfolded across my backyard, bit by bit, while I was doing nothing. The most effort exerted by me was "focus and click". 

I was most smitten by the hummingbird (see orange arrow, lower left). In order to get him to the feeder, we simply need to add  sugar to water to engage him. Plenty of water but no sugar: no hummingbird. A little sweetness goes a long way, even in the animal kingdom. He also fascinated me by the way his little wings buzzed at hyper-speed while his body remained completely still, all the time suspended in air.

Which leads me to wonder: Do we have to be seen as "in motion" at every moment in order to be considered alive, well and productive?

Oh, yeah. The deer did eat our flowers. Today, I didn't care.

 

Comments

[Anton]

I was triggered by "in motion". Blogging /twitter creates the need to be productive (in motion) to let everybody know your alive and well. Were the real world let you be alive and well by just being present. Observing flowers grow and deer eat out in your backyard.

[Steve Roesler]

Anton,

Well said.

[peter vajda]

The beauty of your post for me, Steve, is (1) the honesty and (2) the courage to say, "I did nothing." Refreshing. How many wish they could both do/say the same?

In our culture, many have blurred the line between leisure and laziness…and feel a tremendous sense of discomfort, guilt and shame or inner fear for taking time for their self, yes, even in the midst of a busy workday or week. Too, witness the many who cannot even take requisite time for leisure, and real R&R on vacation!

It's unfortunate that we cannot be OK with "doing nothing" as if doing nothing is "bad" or "wrong" in some way, shape or form.

Thoreau wrote, "It would be glorious to see mankind at leisure for once. It is nothing but work, work, work." Thoreau had it right.

Good for you!!

[Steve Roesler]

Peter, I appreciate the encouraging words.

Reflecting upon the morning, it only appeared that "nothing" was happening. It had the rejuvenating effect of a long vacation with the accompanying refreshment. Today was quite "productive" as a result--and peaceful as well.