benandsteve.com

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025 Truth Endures©

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The Fine Art of Doing Nothing

There’s a certain magic that shows up in late June. It drifts in on a warm breeze. It wraps itself around your shoulders like a sun-warmed blanket. It whispers, “Slow down a while.”

That was exactly what happened to me last Saturday.

I had plans, mind you. Big ones. Rake the yard. Clean out the garage. Paint that little table I rescued from a flea market. But then the sun was golden and lazy. It was the type of sunshine that doesn’t rush you. It invites you to stay awhile. So, I made a bold decision: I postponed productivity.

Instead of pulling out the rakes and tools, I pulled out a lawn chair. I poured a tall glass of iced tea. Then I plopped down under the shade of the patio covering. I did absolutely nothing. And I mean nothing. No phone. No music. No news. I listened to birdsong and felt a slight breeze. I heard the sound of a neighbor’s sprinkler ticking rhythmically like a metronome for summer’s easy tempo.

I watched the clouds. I counted the dragonflies. I let the world spin on without me—and it did just fine.

The dog lay beside me, belly-up to the sky, offering a solid endorsement for this lazy lifestyle. Even a stray cat, who usually stares at me like staff, sauntered over and decided to join the movement. We were a trio of content creatures, basking in a moment that cost nothing but meant everything.

At the end of the day, the lawn remained a jumble of rocks. The garage was still messy. The table continued to wait. But my heart? My heart was lighter. My shoulders less tense. And my soul? Sun-soaked and satisfied.

Summer has a way of reminding us that rest is not a reward—it’s a right. And sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is give yourself permission to simply be.

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Moral of the story:

Don’t underestimate the power of a lazy summer day. It is true that you’re doing nothing—but you are just giving your spirit exactly what it needs.