Alpha & Busyness
Ten days ago, I dislocated my shoulder while working Magic Kingdom. I experienced the whole Alpha process, including (but not limited to) the Magical Express from Main Street, USA to Horizon West ER. Since that day, I’ve been on medical leave.
I’m now feeling much better and my muscles are on the road to recovery, but the purpose of this blog isn’t to give a health update— it’s to think for a minute about busyness. See, I’m the kind of person who wants to work my shifts, spend time with people, and keep busy throughout my day… but my medical leave (and lack of use of my right arm) has forced me to slow down.
Busyness is a problem for all of us— and it’s becoming increasingly problematic in our digital age. In fact, research tells us that most people are suffering from fatigue, lack of motivation, and reduced productivity due to the continual and steady “doing” that we’re all involved in. If we’re not working, we’re on our phones. If we’re not on our phones, we’re listening to a podcast or cooking or shopping or studying or… the list goes on and on.
Comedian Louis C.K. once pointed out on Conan that “underneath everything, that’s that thing— that ‘forever empty.’ This is why pretty much everybody is texting and driving. People are willing to risk taking a life and ruining their own because they don’t want to be alone for a second.”
In other words, there are thoughts and ideas and— sometimes— a deep sadness that comes to many of us when we simply put down all the devices and turn off the music and experience silence or solitude.
I’ve been forced into some of that lately with my medical leave. And while it’s not fun or exciting in any way, it’s something that I think as humans we deeply need— to face some of those suppressed thoughts, ideas, and even that “forever empty,” in order to wrestle with what it means to be truly human.
The goal, even though it’s undeniably hard (try to turn your phone off for 12 hours if you don’t believe me), is to come out on the other end a stronger person. My challenge to you is to practice silence, as much as possible, and see what you begin to experience.
If you need someone to talk to through the experience, feel free to call or text anytime.
234-759-9042
hope is the anthem,
Josh