How Do You Say Nothing?

There are times in life where I simply have nothing to say. While I generally can’t sleep because I have so many thoughts and ideas racing around my cranium, recently I have been sleeping like a baby. I love it! But that means I have nothing to say to the world through this little blog here.

So why am I writing this?

For two reasons. First, and selfishly, I committed to blogging regularly. I did this because I wanted to keep the “writing muscle” working, and because I wanted to strengthen my ability to honor my commitments. I am writing today to say that I have nothing to say for the sake of saying it.

Second, I value transparency and honesty. I try to curate an image of boundless ideation and constant thought. In reality, I am not that way; I have days and even weeks where not a single original or interesting thought crosses my mind. I sit like a blank canvas waiting for something I read or see to splatter some color onto the monochrome of my synapses. Sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn’t. This is one of those doesn’t times.

But is saying nothing really nothing?

Is it not that my nothing might be a something to someone who needs to hear that it is OK to take a break? I push hard. I am a stay at home dad and a full time writer. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to say the things I’ve long wanted to by a gracious and self sacrificing wife, and I am determined to make the most of it.

But being diligent does not mean being consumed by your work. When I am in that headspace my relationship with my family suffers. Ford does not get the attention he needs and Lesley does not get the attention she deserves. As much as it pains me to be mentally sedentary for a minute, it just might be good for me.

And it might be good for you, too.

Perhaps you need to take a minute and refresh. Maybe that minute involves reconnecting with God. Maybe it involves reconnecting with people. Maybe it means reconnecting with yourself. Either way, I encourage you to take a minute today to rest.