It's a blessing to be busy

Nothing is new about thinking we're too busy nowadays. The condition is written about and talked about and complained about, but not a lot is done to fix it. People, myself included, get out of one project only to begin something else. One often dreams about a time when he can sit back and take it easy. Thankfully, listening to a couple viewpoints on being too busy changed my mind about staying occupied.

Punching a time clock often gets monotonous. Being on the go too much is something that almost everyone experiences.

Even when people vacation, they usually plan to keep busy so they don't miss experiencing what's available to them. Often spiritual retreats are organized with lots of events on the schedule, such as speakers and other religious activities. We leave on vacations and retreats to get away from our usual structure or lack of it, and then we must come back home to regain our balance and recuperate from the busyness while we were gone.

When we have a lot of free time, we most often don't know what to do with it so we, again, look for ways to "keep occupied." Pondering that realization caused me to remember the Scriptures in Proverbs 6:6-11 speaking of the industriousness of the ant and the laziness of the sluggard. Although the verses concerned earning a living, people can resemble the ant or the sluggard. The ant was commended for his hard and constant activity.

During a visit with my relative Ken, who is in a nursing home, I stood talking to him beside his bed. I was telling him the things I had yet to do, the jobs I needed to attend to and the people I wanted to see. Feebly, he said, "You ought to be glad you're able to do it those things. What would you do if you weren't doing that? I wish I could do what I once did."

Although I had heard similar words before, hearing them from someone who had gone from being able to unable caused me to stop and recognize how fortunate I was.

Recently a priest friend unknowingly made a powerful comment concerning busyness. He said. "Yes, I'm busy, but I like what I do. I wouldn't want to do anything else." However, he admitted he was always behind with something. That too, affected my attitude, and I contemplated the depth of his statement. Why do we feel we have to stay caught up all the time? When we catch up on what we're doing, we simply delve into another activity.

We can enjoy living and gather the rest and recreation we need amid our busyness if we try. People are generally more satisfied when they're contributing in some way. But when someone constantly strives to reach the end, he frets, rushing to complete the work without experiencing the joy of performing the job. It's an opportunity to use your God-given talents.

I think I shall never again complain that I'm too occupied because I'm happiest when I'm busy doing the things I like to do.

Ellen Shuck holds degrees in psychology and religious education and provides spiritual direction to people at her office.