In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented culture, where being busy is often seen as a badge of honor, it’s easy to reach the end of each day with a critical eye, tallying up our accomplishments. We frequently find ourselves asking, “Did I do enough today?” This relentless pursuit of productivity can leave us feeling perpetually behind, as though we’re always struggling to catch up.
Yet, there is a profound truth that we often overlook in the hustle of our daily routines: the importance of simply being. Instead of measuring our days by the length of our completed task lists, we might consider asking ourselves different questions: Was I grounded today? Did I connect with the Earth and the Ground of All Being? Was I truly present?
There is a sacredness in being present. This isn’t about being inert; rather, it’s about being mindful and intentional in whatever we do. It’s about being fully present—to ourselves, to others, and to that Universal Presence that permeates all of life.
Mindfulness and intentionality ask us to slow down and notice the world around us. They invite us to feel the texture of our own lives and to recognize each moment as a gift. When we are fully present, we are not lost in thoughts of the past or worries about the future, but deeply rooted in the here and now. This presence enhances our connections with others, allowing us to engage more deeply and genuinely.
Being grounded means connecting with the earth beneath our feet—acknowledging our dependence on and interdependence with the natural world. It also means connecting with the Ground of All Being, a concept that transcends boundaries and speaks to a deeper, spiritual interconnectedness. This grounding can act as an anchor, keeping us stable and centered amid the chaos of everyday life.
Worth is not determined by your productivity. You are valuable because of who you are, not just because of what you do. This perspective asks you to embrace each day not as a series of tasks to be completed, but as an opportunity to live fully and deeply, with awareness and compassion.
So, my invitation to you is: dare to be countercultural. At the end of the day, don’t ask the question “Did I do enough?” Ask instead, “Was I present enough? Was I mindful? Intentional? Here?” These questions can transform your experience of life, shifting your focus from doing to being.
Will you give it a try?
Having walked El Camino this spring, there is the sense that life is better and more complete at 3 miles per hour. Slowing it all down is like a power wash for the soul. At this pace there is time to hear the birds and the rushing rivers, and to notice the fruit on the trees and the clouds in the sky. And there’s room in the brain to re-think the way we want to live going forward. It’s a total reset on so many levels.
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Cynthia. “Slowing it all down is like a power wash for the soul.” I LOVE this. -walt