Gift of "Noodling" Time

For my birthday this year I gave myself the gift of time. Yes, 6 days of being "meeting/planned activity/program/to-do list" free. No scheduled activities - no "shoulds" - no wearing a watch. Just being in the moment - praying, walking, reading, thinking, cooking simple meals, meditating, journaling, "puttering," and reflecting - all in my own time and at my own pace.

Here's a picture of my hermitage at the Spiritual Life Institute/Nada Hermitage in Crestone, CO. (Is that a burning bush?)
This is the view from the window seat in my hermitage. That's the glow of the sunset reflecting on the 14,000' Kit Carson peak.I used some of my time at the hermitage for what I call "noodling" (what Brenda Ueland, in If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit, calls "moodling.") Noodling is not idle time, it is not "doing nothing," it is not "wasting time." Rather, this regular dose of unstructured, unscheduled "puttering" is a necessary time of slowing down for "creative laziness" where I can nurture my soul, care for my mental and physical well-being, and foster creativity. As Ueland says, "True creativity is a slow flowering, cultivated by lots of idle time. The imagination needs moodling - long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering. . . People who are always briskly doing something and are as busy as waltzing mice . . . have no slow, big ideas."

She continues,

"What happens when we shut the noise off for a while? If we hang out long enough to let our ears stop ringing and the after-images fade from in front of our eyes, we discover . . . quiet. And in the quiet we begin to hear our inner voice. And just maybe, if we listen to ourselves long enough, we will discover an essential self that doesn't depend on purchases, possessions or prestige to feel whole. Then we can begin to make life choices based on our own true humanity, rather than on the dictates of our consumption crazy, growth-driven society. That's a subversive notion, indeed!"

I am reminded of a conversation with Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, last summer. He shared that through the years he has learned that the most radical acts we do are not our engagement in social justice issues. Rather, our most radical act is sitting in silence, seemingly "doing nothing" for the 20 minute sits, twice a day. In doing so we embody that there is nothing else in our lives - in our "doing" - more important than this. This is subversive!

I am thankful for my time away to be quiet and to "noodle" - not doing anything in particular. I return to my relationships and work more rested, centered, and grounded. I have had time to think, imagine, and reflect. Having the time and space for creative musings will prove beneficial as I continue planning for the academic year. This was a rewarding and enriching time - a true gift. I recognize and name my privilege in being able to take this time - for many would not be able to do so. For this I am profoundly grateful.