“Doing” or “Being” ?

Bondi Sculptures by the Sea exhibit is held in a spectacular setting. I was privileged to attend a couple of years back when the perfect weather highlighted the beauty of the turquoise ocean and the dramatic rock formations. The crowds seemed to barely notice the backdrop as attentions were fixated on the location of the next sculpture on their program.

A sculpture that particularly caught my attention was a wire model of the city of Sydney. Suspended under the city landscape were wire cages holding a person in each cage. The irony being that remarkable human accomplishments can so captivate humanity that our accomplishments can ultimately keep us imprisoned. We are robbed of the ability to see beyond what we have created. I stood by the sculpture for a few minutes reflecting and listening to onlookers. Every conversation I overheard focussed on identifying the various Sydney landmarks- not one person commented on the prison-like cages lying beneath. Did they not notice? Or were they choosing to ignore something which challenged the way they were living?

Our way of life rewards those who do, do, do. We are pressured to achieve, meet targets, reach goals so we can accumulate and enjoy the trophies of material success. We live in a system that distracts us from our deeper innate needs and consequently we experience a perplexing sense of dissatisfaction. We have become human doings and lost touch with our identity as human beings.

To be human means to feel connected, feel valued, feel secure, feel like we are making a difference to the world and to other people’s lives. To be human means to reflect and connect with values that are important to you, recognising that the most important task of your life is not what you do but who you become. Vitality flows from our life out to others when we are living a life consistent with what we believe in. Who we are takes precedence and our beliefs, values and attitudes become reflected in our words and actions.

If you are in the situation where COVID19 has slowed down your pace of life then use this as an opportunity for investing in what really matters. Maybe it will require a journey of personal discovery to become acquainted with what matters to you. Use this time to reflect, to assess, to connect and to possibly change focus or direction. Set yourself free from the prison of mindless pursuits and embrace a more integrated and intentional life. Rather than do, do, do- learn how to authentically “BE”.

- Linda