Saturday 21 February 2009

Doing Nothing



"When dogs feel serene and pleased with life, they do nothing"

"Primates feel pure flat immobility as boredom, but dogs feel it as peace."
Both from "The Hidden Life of Dogs" Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

I'm not sure if all primates feel like this but it does seem that most people always seem to need to be doing something. A lot of modern technology is designed so that people aren't left alone to be with themselves for any time at all. People seem to fear boredom. They spend their life running from it. They see a dog or another person sitting peacefully and happily and think that she must be bored. Of course, dogs, like people, need to be active and have stimulation. We just don't need it all the time.

Try this; spend the next few minutes (after leaving a witty comment below) doing nothing. Don't think about what you will do or what you have been doing. Don't have expectations for this time. I don't envision that you will achieve enlightenment in that time, that is not the point.

Life is great when you feel serene and pleased with life.

14 comments:

Lee said...

Ommm....

skywind said...

Yes. Calm and tranquility make people feel happy. However, it is because of stimulation, that makes up human beings with impulses. Peace of mind to allow ease! Stimulate your mind blowing!

http://eyesinkaleidoscope.blogspot.com/
http://fymtyh.blogspot.com/

Ruby Isabella said...

Lee- yeah, that's the spirit.

Skywind- Good point

Ari_1965 said...

It helps to take off your glasses first. That way when you're doing nothing your gaze can wander aimlessly around the room but you won't see any of the cobwebs.

Anonymous said...

Its furry nice to meet you Ruby. You look furry comfortable.
Stop by my blog sometime when you get a chance.
Gruffs from the Scruff

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Hey Ruby, chill out....you'll wear yourself out, hehe! We too are very good at doing precisely nothing :D
Slobbers xx

Anonymous said...

So true. When the kids complain that they have nothing to do, I always tell them that a little boredom is good for them!

Off to do nothing now...

Black Jack's Carol said...

Well, witty my comments may not be:) but I continue to enjoy your approach to life, Ruby Isabella. I always think I've learned great life lessons from each of my dogs, and you are a teacher at heart. I sense it most of all in your lie down do nothing appreciation of all that is perfect in your life.

kishiko said...

Hi Ruby!
I like doing nothnig with my mom and dad at home. I mean, they are doing something.
Hugs
Matilda

Dexter said...

Why do labradogs sleep upside down?

Slobbers,
Mango

Happiness said...

Ruby is an Australian kelpie!!!!!

Confessions of a Wandering Soul said...

I love doing nothing too.Its the only thing I know anything about ;). So Ruby, feel free to join my club will you!

Ruby Isabella said...

Thanks for all your witty comments.

Ari- This is a good idea. The approach is to reach peace with the cob webs.

Scruff- You are very cute.

DB- I have seen lots of photos of you doing nothing very well.

Lady Fi-Tim says when he was a kid his dad would give him a job to do if he said he was bored so he didn't dare.

Carol- This nice comment was very nicely put. I especially like the last sentence.

Matilda- Doing nothing with your pack is the best.

Mango- There is a science to why sleeping upside down is so good but I don't have space to go into it here. I am an Australian Kelpie. I don't know what else I have in me.

Happiness- Nice smile!

CWS- Of any subject to be an expert, this is a great one.

Amber and Nala said...

Ah yes, I too get caught up in the "have to be doing something" mode but love it when I take the time to do nothing. :)