There is no doubt about it, the human brain luuuuuuves to be busy! At the doctor’s office you grab a magazine to read while waiting; a long car ride requires a radio or CD, any extended pause in conversation gets filled up with chit chat. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with being busy, with music, magazines, conversation, or with brain activity in general. But does every minute have to be filled with information?
The Information Age brought us an endless buffet of news, education, entertainment, and communication, much of which can be amazing and very valuable. But the truth is: It’s just too much. Not only is it too much to process, but making the choice of what and how much information to manage has become a daunting task for many, it’s all just so seductive!
So what does one do with this flood of information?
Take some time to do…. nothing.
That’s right. Nothing. All the talk about stillness, nothingness, quieting the mind, what does that really mean to you? You don’t have to start a serious meditation practice to experience stillness. How about just going for a walk alone? Or staring out window? Maybe soak in the tub? If any of these sound like a waste of time or productivity, think again. Those are the times that let you relax and open up to new ideas and inspiration. I actually put them as appointments on my calendar - why would I treat myself with less importance than anything else?
Be really, really selective with information
Everything you take in affects the way you feel. The average American spends 9 years in front of the television. Nine years! How about just turning the tube off after your favorite show or designating a TV-free day/week/month? Examine your habits for activities that you probably wouldn’t consciously add to your routine. Do you really have to read every funny email? Or stay in touch with just about everybody by writing long replies? How about throwing the next catalog in your mailbox out instead of looking through it? Take an inventory of your day and decide for yourself.
