"Busy" is an all too common response.

It has a whiff of vague importance; without really saying anything, you can convince others (or maybe just yourself) that your day, 

your week, 

your life...

is filled with meaning.

Why do we do that?
Why do we feel the need to promote ourselves this way?
Why do we hold busyness as an idol?

I think we're better than that, I think we're made for more than just looking and feeling "busy."

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us"
- Gandalf (The Fellowship of the Ring, chapter 2)

"Busy" is an empty term.

Moving to a new place and starting a new job, people want to know how we're going, how we're settling in, how our weeks have been.
"Busy" is an empty response.

It doesn't say how we're going, settling in, or how this week has been. People who care about us deserve a better answer than that.

We use busyness as an excuse - for not rocking up to events.

There are times in life when there is a lot going on, so share that burden - tell people what is happening or that you need a rest, admit that you can't run at 100%.
Be honest with the way you're choosing to spend your time.

We use busyness as a boast - to make us look good.

There are much better ways to talk about work or study, actually reveal something about what you're doing. Remember that productivity is measured by effectiveness. I'm not impressed by the number of things you're doing, but by the number you're doing well. And even then, I'm probably more interested that you shared openly, than by what you share.
You don't actually need to impress me.

We use busyness as a veil - to hide the truth behind.
It can feel like everyone else is busy, so I need to join in the chaos. But you don't need to hide - admit when you're "busy" because you spent all day on Facebook or watching Netflix;
share about when you're feeling unproductive or uninspired;
ask questions when you don't know the answer.
We're all searching for purpose and meaning, join the adventure.

This blog, in part, is about risk-taking.

But taking risks doesn't mean running at 110% or pretending you are.

Sometimes the risky move is to stop and wait.

Sometimes the bold move is to say, I don't need to play that game, I'm going to stop...
and just be.

I'm going to wait...
and see.

I don't need to claim, brag or pretend... 

to be busy.