Lunar Wildling

A Reminder

Added 2020-01-16 23:41:04 +0000 UTC

I found this excerpt from a piece I had written several years ago, and it was such a good reminder for me... perhaps it will resonate with you, too.

In my reflection, I realized that I’ve learned to be obsessed with productivity. All of these are considered positive attributes in our society: productive, hard-working, motivated, determined, goal-oriented. I’m not going to deny that these can be amazing characteristics, especially if they are being used to catalyze something that is really important to you. But what about: inquisitive, present, curious, open, spontaneous, alive, inspired? We all have our to-do lists, but where are all of the to-explore, to-create, to-enjoy lists? We are so focused on “doing” that sometimes I fear we lose sight of the process of what we are doing; that potentially important, insightful, interesting, inspiring experiences are becoming items on a list that feel good to cross off—or, are altogether rejected before they happen because they are not perceived as productive.

Some of the best, most joyous moments of my life have been spontaneous ones — an eight-hour conversation into the morning hours on a school night, an unexpected trip to swim in the moonlight, a wild run through the streets in the pouring rain and lightning storms, perusing books for hours in the library with a friend. These are the moments that feel the most precious to my human existence—the ones of full presence and aliveness.