“Pizzaonia Emerging #2” Courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute. Abe Straction, curator.
February 2015
We live in an age of “doing.” We are graded on our passion for fulfilling our destiny. We are left with the impression if, for some reason, we do not do our best at some worthwhile enterprise, we are on the wrong path. Or, worse yet, how about those among us who do not feel any particular urge to do anything. What do they do?
We do need to make one clarification. I am not talking about irresponsibility. We need to pay our own way. However, we can do that with a variety of ordinary jobs that in no way define any meaning in our lives other than paying the bills. And by being adequate in our job and meeting our basic financial responsibility, we earn the right to be whatever we need to be, even if that need is to do nothing.
This brings us to the point of this endeavor – to bring into being the one self-help subject that is sorely lacking – “the art of dong nothing well.”
Someone needs to take the lead and begin a movement that will inspire those people who meet their basic responsibilities but feel no urge or inclination to be special or anything beyond what they are – a person who has earned the right to do nothing well in their spare time.
I will make no attempt to define “nothing.” I will leave that to you. I would advise, however, that you should spend a minute thinking about what doing nothing means to you. For me, it means dong nothing – without guilt or reason – simply enjoying watching the world go by.
We often here, “you only live once.” “Make the most of it is the battle cry of the “doers.” If I hear one more person say you must follow your passion, I think I will be sick. One exception: The person whose passion is doing nothing well is acceptable. At least, they will probably do no harm.
So this is our mission: to begin a movement that will unite with dignity all those people who love doing nothing well. It is our intent to begin that movement. Will you join us? I hope so.
"One great thing about growing older is that nothing is going to lead to anything. Everything is of the moment" Joesph Campbell
Brother Giovanni
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