Guest Column / Richard Etienne

Let’s remind ourselves to find balance in life between activity, being still

Which is more important in your life: staying busy with activity or being still?

Some people who know me might say that I am a “type A” personality. I’m known for making lists of tasks I want to accomplish, and am frequently “on the go” until these things are completed. I have even been known to put tasks on the list even after they are complete so I can then mark them off!

But now, I am in the latter part of life. In my retirement, I have been blessed with time to reflect.

For instance, the goals in the early years of life for some are often weighted toward earning a living, taking advantage of better employment opportunities, often finding a spouse and then hopefully raising children to become healthy and productive Christian adults.

In this second part of life, as the chaos has subsided, the goal seems to have shifted to more time of reflecting inward on the interior aspects of life. There seems to be additional space in one’s life if he or she is blessed with reaching this phase in the human lifespan.

When was the last time you had the privilege of just listening to or watching rain? Watching clouds meander across the sky? Slowly swinging on a porch swing? Stopping to listen to the wind in the leaves when enjoying nature? Gently sway in a rocker? Watch snow fall? Listen to instrumental music with your eyes closed? Enjoy a wood fire as it slowly turns to glowing embers? Stop to smell the fresh scent of pine on a walk in the forest, or just observe your own breath when you’re outside on a chilly day?

In every liturgy, we say “heaven and Earth are full of your glory!” When was the last time that you stopped and enjoyed God’s glory on Earth?

There is a wonderful story in the Gospel of Luke about two sisters, Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38-42). It seems that Mary chose “listening to and being present to” Jesus, while Martha was left with “serving” or taking care of the tasks of hospitality. Do you remember the role that Jesus says was “better”?

In my own life experience, I have found that the right answer to the question is to balance quiet time—to recharge and renew—with action that brings badly needed leaven in this world.

I believe both are needed for a fulfilling life.

How is the balance between doing and being in your own life?
 

(Richard Etienne is a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh, Ind., in the Evansville Diocese.) †