Fill in the Blanks

Somehow, in our modern civilization, we have acquired the idea that the mind is working best when it runs at top speed. Yet a racing mind lacks time even to finish a thought, let alone to check on its quality. When we slow down the mind, we work better at everything we do. Not only is the quality of our work better, we are actually able to get more done. A calm, smooth-running flow of thought saves a lot of wear and tear on the nervous system, which means we have more vitality and resilience in the face of stress.

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's

It is truly amazing that Americans have learned a great deal from its culture, and yet, some of what we have embraced tends to harm us more than help.  As Americans, we have learned to decrease the time required to complete certain tasks.  We have made major improvements in lessening travel time.  Unfortunately, the extra time acquired has been refilled with even more work.  Statistics show that Americans spend even more time working than before modern conveniences.

Time management teaches us to slate required tasks of the day onto our agenda for each day of the week.  It does occur that some days need extended time to accomplish our work as well as allowing the last of it
to slide over to the next day ... but not to be brought home.  On the other hand, when we do attain accomplishments during a day, we are told not to fill in the extra time with even more work.  We are told that when we utilize and unexpected break in time, we return more mentally prepared to finish the remainder of the day.

Experts also suggest we leave spaces in our agenda, no matter how brief, to step away from our work just to stretch giving both our body and mind a break.  These small interruptions are not for business calls or things added to the agenda.  They are small oppoprtunities to just 'be' so that we can be refreshed when returning to our work.

We are creatures of habit doing this 'fill-in the blanks' throughout our day no matter if we are an apprentice, at the peak of our career or retired.  We have been programed 'to keep profitably busy'.  The truth is we will remain more alert and task oriented when we do take small intermissions.  Small diversions increase our awareness and heighten our alertness.  Consider the options for improvement ... they are endless!