Being active throughout the day is important to me. Checking things off my to do list makes me feel productive, proud and accomplished.

When I want to feel sure of myself, I look for things to do. The thing I choose to do is often less important than the distraction that the activity gives me.

Recently, I’ve started to feel the restrictions produced by my dependence on activity. Who am I when I don’t avoid my life through a constant stream of tasks? That question has compelled me to reevaluate my attachment to activity, and has exposed my avoidance to action.

Activity is a complex companion that gives us the ability to do everything, while taking us nowhere. Action is required to travel to a new destination, activity will only help us pack our bags for the trip.

This growing awareness has revealed my practiced ability to be busy in life, without producing any meaningful action– And I realize that my bags are often packed, for trips I seldom take.

Do I want to maintain the illusion of doing everything, even if it makes me feel accomplished? Or, do I actually want to go somewhere? Exploring the answer to that question, will require more than activity.