I once taught in a school where the headmaster was exceedingly difficult to please. He was frequently complaining and critical; I learnt to keep out of his way.
The caretaker was an amiable but lazy gent called Stan, who could usually be found sitting in his store cupboard doing nothing. ‘Why do you spend your life in this cupboard?’ I once asked him.
‘If I sit here, the only thing I can get in trouble for is doing nothing,’ he explained. I sort of understood where he was coming from.
Stan reminds me of the old Bing Crosby song:
We’re busy doin’ nothin’
Workin’ the whole day through
Tryin’ to find lots of things not to do
We’re busy goin’ nowhere
Isn’t it just a crime
We’d like to be unhappy, but
We never do have the time.
Six things over this weekend reminded me of Stan:
…Conversations with folks approaching retirement; friends who’ve been busy all of their lives, looking forward to the opportunity to sit down and do nothing.
…Conversations about ‘retreat’; deliberately doing nothing, intentionally withdrawing from life to reflect, pray, listen…
…Listening to the football on the radio; Norwich lost 6-2 at Plymouth. Our defence was busy doing nothing – leading to a humiliating defeat.
…Visiting Betty in hospital. She’s in a poor way physically and mentally. The Betty I’ve known over many years was active, caring, hospitable, involved, busy… Betty doing nothing is a sad sight.
…Hearing of this new ‘Play Park’ – consisting of nine logs and a bench – near Market Harborough. ‘First Port Property Services’ have done next to nothing in their provision; children hoping to play will be doing nothing.
…Reminded of Martin Luther King’s words at church yesterday: ‘The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.’
Musing… Sometimes doing nothing is good thing… Sometimes doing nothing is a bad thing… I’m praying for wisdom to know the difference.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Love the caretaker’s comment😊
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Like many people Stan was a good man – he was just managed badly, so the school never got the best out of him… but he did have a sense of humour!
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Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita
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Thanks for your support, Anita
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Sometimes one’s mind gets so cluttered with constant stimulation, doing nothing is just what it needs to reset. Cute song! 🙂
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You’re right, Nancy. It’s getting the balance right that I’ve always struggled with! There’s always so much to do!!
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I need that ‘doing nothing’ business at least twice a month! 😁
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I think it’s often about knowing ourselves, Adel, and knowing how we function best
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Ah, you’re right about that, Sir. 😊
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I think I’m headed for a nap, and to do nothing for half an hour!
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We all need to get the rest we need, Joy.
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I’ve lived with fibromyalgia for 22 years so I’ve learned to almost enjoy it! As soon as I lie down, I praise God from whom all blessings flow. At my worst, I had terrible brain fog, so I’m delighted I can begin this precious time in prayer.
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I’ve been retired for awhile now, but i’m not keen on doing nothing! Praise God for the energy, interest, and opportunities to stay productively ocuppied–although not at the same pace required during the years of parenting and teaching school. I’m very thankful for that!
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Thanks, Nancy. I’ve been retired for a good few years now and am grateful for continuing good health. I like ‘productively occupied’. I guess that’s what I aim for. And you’re right – it is at a different pace!
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