Being vs. Doing

I find that many of the challenges I face in everyday life come down to a struggle between being vs. doing.  Deep in my heart I long to hang out, go with the flow, enjoy life and all of it’s beautiful nuances…I want to spend time in nature, ponder the big questions and mysteries of life…such as “Who am I?” “What’s my purpose on earth?” I want to spend meaningful time with my family where we actually carry on a conversation without rushing through our day to get to the next function or meeting or event.

And alas, I end up back in the office working or back in the kitchen cooking or back in the laundry room washing the abundant loads that seem to grace our baskets each day.  Now I know the sages and luminaries and wise spiritual teachers say that enlightenment comes through integration of being and doing.  I should learn how to infuse my dish washing with mindfulness.  Contemplate the big stuff while I fold the piles.  Pray and meditate as I continue my domestic chores…Ah integration, if I could only learn to slow down and immerse myself in the being, then the doing would flow effortlessly and all of the items on my “to-do” list would get accomplished effortlessly.

Seems that balance or integration is really the goal.  So for today, I will not strive to get it all done.  I will bask luxuriously in the quiet solitude and trust that if it must get done, it will.  With me or without me…