The particularities of busy-ness

Particularities. Not a commonly used word, but perhaps it should be. It seems to give some gravitas to the minute details or individual characteristics it points to. (Just wanted to get that out of my system first).

The particularities of busy-ness then. I'm not sure how to describe this THING. The headless-chicken-running-around-in-circles. Slaves of time. Busy with lots of things – yet often not having much to show for it. Other than perhaps a few more scars to the body.

Benjamin Hoff, in the Tau of Pooh*, borrows Milne’s characters to illuminate human nature. Rabbit is used to portray the Bisy Backson (busy back soon) who is almost desperately active - always in a hurry to get to the next place or activity. “The Bisy Backson is always going somewhere, somewhere he hasn’t been. Anywhere but where he is.”

What are we running from ... or to? Why are we so scared to do nothing? To just be with ourselves and embrace the stillness inside.

I have recently re-read A New Earth* by Eckhart Tolle, where he explains the how to not only be present but also conscious. The powerful effect it has when we are conscious no matter what the circumstances or activities are. To have the freedom of space. That space inner calm, creativity and timeless-ness are made of. No ego, just pure spirit.

I was reminded of this again the other day. Yet another curve ball was thrown at an already complicated process and instead of going into a tail spin and planning frantically, I felt as if a switch was flipped. Instant calm and absolute clarity. This was something that can and should be dealt with on another day. When it needs to be. It is difficult to describe the immense freedom, sense of inner space and connection I experienced in that moment. Something I have since tried to hold on to (or at least get back to from time to time). Breathe. Breathe again. Focus. Be absolutely present and aware.

What I’ve realised is that the particularities are not the issue. Neither is the busy-ness. What we lack however is the space in between. So what I’m saying is:

Be busy, have those pesky particularities, but for goodness sake, let's breathe and ‘outwit’ time in favour of conscious living, creativity and happiness.

---ooOoo---

*I’ve included the referenced books below, and also a few others which play nicely with the subject ... in different ways. In no particular order:

• The Tau of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff
• A New Earth (the second read made a deep impression), Eckhart Tolle
• The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
• Soul Lessons and Soul Purpose, Sonia Coquette
• The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Chopra
•  F**k it, John C Parkin
• The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron
• The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield
• The Dance, Oriah Mountain Dreamer
• The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

Disclaimer: The list is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to add your own in the comments section.

Anton Smit Sculpture Park

I've been wanting to visit the Anton Smit Sculpture Park (near Bronkhorstspruit) for absolute ages. Until Sunday 31 January 2016. When wanting to turned into just doing it! The drive took about 50 minutes and we enjoyed the green veld next to the road. (I’m very excited at the moment at any signs that our country gets rain).

We drove into the park and immediately saw some sculptures dotted around a beautiful, park-like garden. Given that it was lunch time, we first set off to the Imagine Café next to the (and we’d later realise, linked to) inside gallery.

The short walk to the Café is a delight for the senses and between the various sculptures, little nooks and crannies (with a surprising number of old cars) were visible.

The Café is a delightful mix of eclectic pieces – old cups and saucers, modern face mask sculptures, jams, paintings and also, yes I kid you not, the Lost Orchid by Tretchikoff!  There are a number of seating choices (inside or outside) and on a Sunday, lunch is a set menu – warning here to vegetarians, there’s a lot of meat on said (set?!) menu. The wine list consists of whatever the owner decided to buy.  She suggested a 2013 Bayede! Chenin Blanc which was very enjoyable – it is part of a project endorsed by King Zwelithini to create job opportunities. So it felt extra good. ;-)

After lunch we explored the gallery and the garden a bit, but in the after lunch haze, I fear that a lot of details may have been overlooked. (Planting the seed here with Husband for a follow-up visit :-))

Good food and art and soul - maybe why it left such impression on us. Definitely worth a visit, or in our case … another one!