At times, productivity means doing nothing at all.
Gina Greenlee
8 August 2022

I’ve been hassling myself lately that I spend too much time doing what looks like nothing, that I should be doing more to contribute to my world. This is, for many people, the defining issue of retirement. I am grateful to have been given many gifts and talents. Am I letting them go to waste? And as I enjoy the normality at this point of no symptoms from the cancer condition, should I use that opportunity to serve and show my gratitude for this magical life I lead? Volunteer to use my coaching skills? Work with kids in a reading program? Serve those who have no homes (SO many now in Sacramento)?
Our western culture is obsessed with doing. It seems that we as human doings are much more highly valued than we as human beings. This is especially true in the United States, and especially true among those of my generation, where stress over work and life is a badge of honor to be boasted about. Conversely, Hinduism defines four distinct stages in life: the Student (approx. ages 1-25), the Householder (approx. ages 26-50), the Retiree (approx. ages 51-75) and the Renunciant (approx. age 76+). While the descriptions of these stages are rather extreme, I find I can learn something from this structure: it’s ok in my stage of life to do “nothing.” The caveat I’ll add, though, is that I perform every action and interaction with kindness and compassion…that’s for selfish reasons. In other words, I’m making it ok for me to be a human BEING.


On a slightly different note, I want to share that today (8 August) is National SPAM Musubi Day! You gotta know that Hawaiian media outlets, grocery store web sites, tourist info sites and even a few government web sites are abuzz with news of this major event. Most of you know that Joan and I have a home in Hilo, Hawai’i, and one can’t be involved with the spirit of Hawai’i without having some involvement with SPAM, which comprises one of Hawai’i’s major food groups. SPAM musubi (pronounced moo-soo-BEE) is a delectable concoction of fried SPAM topped with a bit of savory sauce, enfolded in sushi rice and wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed. So throttle back on your judgments until you’ve actually tried it…
And if you have an L&L Hawaiian Barbecue nearby, you can download a coupon and get a free serving of SPAM musubi today to savor the joy. (No, I’m not getting any perks from L&L for this…I just want to share a free deal with the folks I love.)
There…I’ve done something in service. I’ve shared the possibility of a freebee associated with my beloved Hawai’i. Maybe my life has purpose after all.
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Whoever you are, I wish you health, love, peace and joy in abundance.