The Fine Art of Just Being

“Amy, what’s new?”
“Nothing’s new . . . just the same old good stuff.”
“Where are you traveling to this summer?”
“Nowhere, I already live in a vacation destination.”
“I’m defying the urgency to be doing and settling into a season of being.”

Being appreciative for my surroundings, my town, my friends and my family. Of being retired, with no time clock telling me when to punch in and out. Living at my own pace—perhaps speeding up today, slowing down tomorrow. Choosing how to spend my time with no external dictates. Basking in the luxury of nature, the Spa, or my own livingroom.

Part of being is reflecting, relaxing and contemplating. A time of discovering and reclaiming parts of myself that lay dormant, or releasing parts that no longer serve me. Knowing that the life I’m living now reflects my hopes of the past: hopes that are being fulfilled in the present.

You think I’ve stopped striving, dreaming, setting goals? Certainly not, but now my former type A personality is somewhere around B-minus. Don’t get me wrong, I admire doing—it got me to where I am today. And yes, I set my sights on new opportunities, but without the pressure to succeed.

“Being? You mean status quo?”

“Certainly not. Status quo implies stagnation. Being is dynamic and creative, going deep within to connect with who you truly are and then letting your actions flow easily from that inner peace.”

Knowing myself, this season of just being will not be permanent. I’ll be off and running on a new project or a new activity. But right now, I’m on hiatus. See you in September.

written by Amy Bryant, Safety Harbor resident blogger

Amy Bryant

Author of You CAN Go Home Again