Recently, I have had a bit of a scare. My vision started going. I could see little with my left eye and the vision in my right eye became almost as bad. This is partly due to age, partly to severe allergic reactions to my new neighbor's cat (I will be moving very soon because of the tiny little creature and her toxic dander-she loves to sit outside my door to groom), and, in large part to my excessive time on the computer.
I do not game, but I am a voracious reader and have spent long hours reading. Books are very expensive, so reading on line seemed a fine solution Also, I watched a bit of sports and a few short films. All for very little cost, so it seemed a great idea
Well, on top of my other problems, I seemed to have nearly fried my retina. Things are improving. I can now read large type and can use my computer to write a little, so long as I take long, long breaks.
My advice to one and all is simple. Find ways to entertain yourself away from your computer Use it for needed business and needed research. Take long breaks and find a screen glare reducer. Set your letters to a very large print.
Computers are very useful, but please minimize your usage. Not being able to see is not a lot of fun.
Showing posts with label vision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vision. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Thursday, September 8, 2016
The Disappearing Art of Doing Nothing
We all have things we enjoy doing. I love writing, watching movies, reading, and watching some sports. I love talking, walking, dining out, and even shopping, here and there. When I run into people often the first thing they ask is some variation of 'What have you been doing?' Perfectly valid question that can lead to fine conversation. I ask it myself and get responses ranging from just working to watching TV to playing with the kids. All great answers and all certainly things worth doing.
I have noticed, however, that I rarely hear someone answer, "oh, nothing," and when I do, that person usually seems a might sheepish, as if doing nothing is a source of embarrassment. No one should be embarrassed to admit that they are doing nothing, unless that's always their answer.
Actually doing nothing is a fine art and, I am afraid it is becoming a lost art. Now, by doing nothing, I do not mean sitting watching TV or playing video games. If that is what you are doing then you are, indeed, doing something. I am talking about a completely passive activity wherein you just turn your mind off, find a relaxed posture and let the world come to you. I don't mean sleep, although, during the course of doing nothing you may doze off.
Just sit, or stretch out, or stand, if that is comfortable, and let your attention wander where it will. Don't try to focus your attention, just let it be drawn where it will. You will be surprised at the little bits of beauty and interest you normally miss. And, doing nothing is not necessarily a visual thing. Allow all of your senses to engage. I have a poor sense of smell, but, even I can catch a captivating scent every now and then ( I sometimes wish, that just for a little while, I could, like a dog, experience the world through smell) Sounds may grab your attention and, if you let them, the mix of voices and traffic and birds machines, will blend into a grand, though unusual, symphony. Here and there, I have spent long periods just enjoying the way the sun and the wind feel on my skin.
I grew up around people who were the first generation to have TV and they were not captured by it. Thus, we often spent hours sitting outside. Sometimes, we would talk, or drink, or play games, but often, we simply sat. It was wonderful, sort of an informal meditation. Personally, I find informal meditations much more fruitful than formal types. But, alas, I fear that doing nothing is becoming a lost art. Well, after I do a few things, I believe I may just spend a few minutes or so, trying to keep that art alive
I have noticed, however, that I rarely hear someone answer, "oh, nothing," and when I do, that person usually seems a might sheepish, as if doing nothing is a source of embarrassment. No one should be embarrassed to admit that they are doing nothing, unless that's always their answer.
Actually doing nothing is a fine art and, I am afraid it is becoming a lost art. Now, by doing nothing, I do not mean sitting watching TV or playing video games. If that is what you are doing then you are, indeed, doing something. I am talking about a completely passive activity wherein you just turn your mind off, find a relaxed posture and let the world come to you. I don't mean sleep, although, during the course of doing nothing you may doze off.
Just sit, or stretch out, or stand, if that is comfortable, and let your attention wander where it will. Don't try to focus your attention, just let it be drawn where it will. You will be surprised at the little bits of beauty and interest you normally miss. And, doing nothing is not necessarily a visual thing. Allow all of your senses to engage. I have a poor sense of smell, but, even I can catch a captivating scent every now and then ( I sometimes wish, that just for a little while, I could, like a dog, experience the world through smell) Sounds may grab your attention and, if you let them, the mix of voices and traffic and birds machines, will blend into a grand, though unusual, symphony. Here and there, I have spent long periods just enjoying the way the sun and the wind feel on my skin.
I grew up around people who were the first generation to have TV and they were not captured by it. Thus, we often spent hours sitting outside. Sometimes, we would talk, or drink, or play games, but often, we simply sat. It was wonderful, sort of an informal meditation. Personally, I find informal meditations much more fruitful than formal types. But, alas, I fear that doing nothing is becoming a lost art. Well, after I do a few things, I believe I may just spend a few minutes or so, trying to keep that art alive
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