The Italians have a concept for piddling around known as “La Dolce Far Niente,” which means "the sweetness of doing nothing." I recognized this concept while watching Elizabeth Gilbert’s masterpiece Eat, Pray, Love one day. The scene is set in a barbershop in Rome. Julia and her newfound friend are scarfing down napoleon’s while the men of Italy are educating them on the ways of the Italian.
As one of the male characters begins his diatribe about how Americans’ ideas of “relaxing” are working themselves to the bone all week just so they can lay around in their pajamas on weekends, drink six-packs of Miller Light, and watch other people live their lives on TV, he presents to the audience the concept of la dolce far niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing. The character goes on to explain that Italians may wonder home after a few hours of working to take a little nap, they may be inspired by a nearby cafe and sit down to have a glass of wine, or they may just go home and make love to their wife. Although it may be a bit unrealistic for some of us to just cut out of our jobs in the middle of the day to go take a nap, the scene was still compelling. Plus the American employers are not wired to allow this behavior.
The idea that “doing nothing” is actually an event in and of itself. A concept only that could be realistic for Americans in retirement or self employment.
How different would your quality of life be if you made time throughout the day to experience la dolce far niente? Instead of using your free moments to catch up on what housewife bought what SUV on Hulu, instead of checking your email one last time to see if anyone else is needing you to do something, instead of using your free time to check your bank accounts or pay that cell phone bill—what if you just did nothing?
That kind of relaxation. The la dolce far niente. The sweetness of doing nothing and enjoying where we are in the present moment. It could be the greatest thanks we can give for the lives and blessings we have. All the noise—the Facebook, the reality TV, the latest and greatest no-one-can-get-in-there-without-calling-a-month-ahead restaurant—it all fades away when we can just do nothing. What surfaces is life—our feelings at the moment (whether it be grace or despair), our ego vanishes and our true self emerges. What if instead of Facebook, emailing, or video gaming tonight, you just did nothing? What if instead of saving up seven vacation days out of 365 to finally enjoy life, you spread those out in hours among each day? What if you didn’t look at Saturday/Sunday as your only day to cut loose and chill out? Maybe you sit and read a book. Maybe you stare out the window or balcony and listen to your favorite bird. Maybe you learn how to whistle, meditate, stretch, lounge, or (gasp!) nap. What can you do today to begin doing nothing?
I have tried to to wrap my head around this “La Dolce Far Niente,” but the American routine and work ethics always kick in before I can accomplish it on an everyday basis. I am trying my best... Good Luck To You!
Nana
Comments