There’s No B in Busy

Last week’s blog prompted a question from a reader. She asked to clarify the difference between being busy versus engaged.

Being busy can be due to circumstances or it can be self-inflicted. Self-inflicted busy means we are doing the normal stuff to care for our families, work responsibilities and personal care along one or more of the following. Staying active to avoid something we don’t want to do, or don’t want to feel. Over-achieving so we can finally feel good about ourselves. Doing more than what is reasonable to please others. Doing anything obsessively to alter our appearance due to lack of acceptance. Packing our work or social calendars because we don’t want to spend time alone, with a partner, or with ourselves. Now that makes a person BUSY!

To be engaged means we are active with the life force that runs through us. We tend to our fears and emotions to move beyond them and actively pursue careers that express our strengths and passions. We strive for self-mastery at home and work knowing we are inherently a person of value. When we are engaged we are focused in the present, actively listening to those around us and seeking opportunities in our day-to-day life to bring our unique contribution to the world. In essence, our actions are rooted in our soul, not in our fears.

The reality is that sometimes we are busy and sometimes we are engaged. The goal is to do less of the former and as much as possible of the latter. That’s my goal anyway!