Our lives need a healthy balance of ‘doing’ and ‘being’. Of course, there are lots of things we must ‘do’ – take care of the house and family, sleep, eat, work and so many other things. Long to-do lists where what counts is the outcome.

But we must also make time to ‘be’. These are actions we engage in for the experience, not the outcome. Like conversations about lots of nothing. Like enjoying a beautiful sunset or another aspect of nature. Like savoring a cup of coffee. Like tinkering on a favorite hobby. There is no specific agenda, just to be involved in the present experience.

 When we just ‘be’, we act differently. There is no specific goal; it’s about opening up to whatever will happen.

 When we have some ‘being’ time in our days, we slow down and are more connected to ourselves, the people in our lives, our health, our values. And we are more positive and happier.

Yes, there is so much that we must do every day. Ideally, we would block out time to just ‘be’ (like a weeklong retreat or a long shower or read a book). Not always so easy to find that time. But we can mix in some ‘being’ into all our ‘doing’. While on an exercise walk, we can notice what is around us – the trees, the people, the breeze, the birds. We can smile or wave (and make someone’s day). We can savor the smell of the coffee. We can say hello to strangers at an event. Just for the experience, even if nothing is ‘accomplished’.

How might you mix in some ‘being’ into your ‘doing’?