PAY ATTENTION

photo from Austin Kleon's blog, which I have found inspiring lately

As odd as this may sound, my busy these days feels a little different because it's not just the activities or to-do list that take up my time, it's the thinking. There is so much to think about! I have started making "to-think" lists, because I have found it critical to carve out time to think deeply.  

It comes from a place of wanting to go deeper in the ways that we live - in my relationships, my reading, my work, parenting, creativity, etc. I want to work through the what, how, when, where and especially why I am doing what I am doing. It's invigorating and challenging, and sometimes I get a case of brain strain. ("I'm sorry, I can't make it tonight. I need time to think.") 

Thinking time has become some of my most valuable time.  Thinking time these days looks like not filling in with noise, music, TV, or busy work but sitting in silence with the purpose of thinking through a problem or question. It's helpful to take notes, so does bouncing my thoughts off of friends and family.  Walking time is probably some of the best thinking times, but it's harder to fit in. 

One of the questions I'm chewing through lately comes from wanting to be more specific with my purpose and life mission statement.  This sort of exercise requires deep diving into my stories, knowing my strengths and passions, and envisioning the future, so it's quite the endeavor. It's especially pertinent because we (at work) are working through what it means to help our clients through this process, so I'm approaching this from several angles.  I'll share what I come with here on this blog as I go.