Thursday, July 30, 2015

Willing to Slow it Down

It was a busy spring. I was working full-time, going to school (evening certificate program), volunteering several places, plus I moved into a new place and went to Mexico in the same month. I love having a full life, but I don't like always being busy.

Hanging on Lake Washington

I've come across articles about our cultural obsession with being busy and wearing it like a badge of honor, such Busy is a sickness and Disease of being busy. In the latter, author Omid Safi writes, "Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. Tell me you’re more than just a machine, checking off items from your to-do list. Have that conversation, that glance, that touch. Be a healing conversation, one filled with grace and presence."

Sometime I feel too much like a human doing. A big part of that was being in school, and always having classes and homework. I loved the editing certificate program, but man! it's great to be done.
Homemade cake for our last day of editing class

Cocktail: Rye with- wait for it- reduced Rainier beer
simple syrup. Weird, but delicious.
I haven't had any epic adventures yet this summer, but that's okay with me. Bigger trips are coming up (very!) soon, and so far it's been rejuvenating to have the time to hang with family, especially my nieces and nephews, cook meals from scratch, and get good sleep.
 
Don't get me wrong-- I've been doing more than just hanging out. I've been playing outside, but just trying not to over-plan or rush from one thing to another.

Bike ride and golden raspberries
Downtown view from the Seattle Great Wheel
Hiking Mailbox Peak
 
Evening sailing, cider, and swimming in Lake Union
Niece helps me water my deck plants 

Friend's family goats. I really want goats.
How do you find the balance between exploring all the wonderful things there are to do in this world, and not overdoing it?

4 comments:

ElizaBeth said...

Girl, I'm all about ditching the busy and I'm so glad you are, too! We have had some crazy circumstances hit us this summer which led me to quit basically everything non-essential. I can't tell you how much I'm relishing all this free time, and I LOVE the visual of "human being," not "human doing." See you soon, friend.

AmberAnda said...

Thanks, Elizabeth! I want to hear more about your summer. Can't wait to see you soon!

Unknown said...

hi there this is jorge from Mexico he visto tus fotos , son realmente fantasticas, todas las de Australia, korea y camboya, te comento que el last july I took my family to US we spent a two-week vacation we went to Idaho Portland, Phoenix, we sailed Columbia river my kids liked very much

AmberAnda said...

Hola Jorge! Muchas gracias por leer mi blog y por dejar tu comentario! Hace mucho tiempo que hemos estado en contacto y me da mucho gusto oir de ti. Que padre que fuiste a los EEUU con tu familia!! Parece que ustedes vieron muchos lugares lindos. Todavia vives en Puebla? Espero que estes muy muy bien! Cuidate, ciao.