What is Necessary?
What is necessary? Some questions are more practical than others. What is necessary is a practical question. Which is often overlooked in the hustle and confusion that our days often hold. When I find myself feeling stressed, the question of necessity helps me to find solid ground and identify my path forward. Sometimes it is interesting to look up a word that feels common to gain a better understanding of the fullness a simple word holds. Take the word necessary as an example. I define necessary as something that must be done. The dictionary defines it as: required to be done, achieved, or present; needed; essential. Suddenly a common word has a bit more shape, definitions, and fuller meaning. I have more information to work with. What is necessary is a question I wish I asked myself more. I usually only start to ask when I’m feeling overwhelmed with too many competing demands and not enough energy or time to handle everything. What is required? What is needed? What is essential? What is necessary? What is necessary is a clarity question. I find it is a reminder that while many things may feel required and needed, very few things are. When answering the question of what is necessary, it is helpful to take a minute to pause and take a literal or figurative look around. When everything feels urgent, it helps to take a pause to let the sand settle. After an intentional pause, the situation often looks different. Someone once told me it’s not the length of the pause, it is the quality of the pause that matters. The brief moment of reflection doesn’t have to last for a long time, but it had to be meaningful, thoughtful, and reflective. The pause is a moment to see the question in the full context. There is a context for everything. When we stop to see the context, we have better quality information to answer the question: What IS necessary? What is necessary is a telescoping question. It can be asked every hour when things feel stressful to help prioritize our actions. When used daily, it helps add structure to a day. When used to look at a week or a month, it can add clarity to the way our time is spent. On a larger scale, it can help with decision making and value clarification. It’s a simple question. Most profound things are. Sometimes it’s the simple things that can help us the most. So…..What IS necessary for you today? “ When we pause, allow a gap, and breathe deeply, we can experience instant refreshment. Suddenly, we slow down, lookout, and there’s the world.” Pema Chodron If you like these questions, please consider SUBSCRIBING to The Art of Powering Down; Questions to Recharge Your Soul… Every week there is a question that will gently challenge you, encourage you, or help you live your life with more intention, grace, and purpose. (Sharing these reflections and questions with friends is the greatest compliment!) P.S. This year has been filled with so many questions and challenges. October already promises it’s fair share. I’m challenging myself to post and add as much space for {Pause} {Beauty} and {Kindness} as I can this month, maybe you can find what that means in your life and make October a month of kindness and beauty too?!
The post What is Necessary? appeared first on The art of powering down.
