The Mindless Activity

Written by Barb

The best ideas occur while showering.

They used to form while vacuuming, but this house doesn’t have any carpet, so the vacuum isn’t used often. While washing dishes is another good mindless activity.

These are things we do without thinking. They don’t take concentration, so the mind has room for an idea to surface.

In my case, I was showering when the idea popped into the forefront of my mind. The idea was not new. I’ve done this same idea 15 years ago. It doesn’t have to be new to be good. The great thing about doing it 10 or 20 years later, is what I learned the first time.

With age comes wisdom.

excited

With age also comes hesitation.

My daughter and I have had an electric dishwasher in every house we’ve lived in. They never get used. There’s something about using your hands that releases the idea. The best ideas occur when we’re not thinking. Dreams of the heart don’t leave, they get buried.

Maybe this explains my love for the Chemex. Using my hands to bring about the first cup of coffee. Look around and see what you can do with your hands. We’re not looking for new, because God always starts at the beginning. What’s on your heart that’s waiting to begin?

Use your hands in a mindless activity.

31 thoughts on “The Mindless Activity”

      1. Appreciate your perspective and insight, Barb. Also, somewhat similar to your Chemex Coffee Maker in another of your terrific posts, I have a morning “ritual” of making espresso with a traditional Bialetti stovetop espresso maker. The process is quite deliberate and about as close to Zen as I get these days. I’ve written about it a couple of times.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You’re a darling. Love the Bialetti! Have thought many times of going that route, but not quite ready to give up the twirling motion of the gooseneck kettle. It will make a place in my home soon though!

        Liked by 1 person

      6. And honestly, I’m the same way. Going to bed is the worst because my brains kicks into overdrive. We’re moving forward all day and thinking of the next thing, so when it’s time for sleep, my brain keeps moving forward.

        I have breathing exercises that help, and I pray for it to quiet down, but I have been known to write at midnight. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Well put! This is certainly true. It also got me thinking of a quote I heard once, although it is slightly off topic: “It’s hard to do a really good job on anything you don’t think about in the shower.” Paul Graham

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. The Yoga mat works as well, but I find while mediating and Yoga, my mind is a flurry. Once the focus is on the breath, my mind clears and lays open.

      While doing something mindless with our hands, we not only get an idea, but we also accomplish something. Knitting sounds good as long as you can do it on autopilot. I tried cross stitching, but that takes counting and concentration, but I’ve been pondering learning to knit. If nothing else but my love for scarves. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Share Your Thoughts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.