When was the last time you were a human being?

There is a whole bunch of research on the importance of reflection and meditation and positive health impacts both physically and mentally. I think reflection is such an important part of working out who you are, who you want to be and how to get there. We live in a world where there is more and more to distract us, to demand our time and to take us away from what is important to us. We also live in a world where anxiety and depression are on the rise and we are heavily medicated to deal with the meaninglessness of our modern lives.

I find three things really helpful when reflecting. Being near large bodies of water; walking barefoot on the grass (when was the last time you did that?); and making a conscious decision to spend some time alone to be silent  (I like to go swimming, it's the only way to make sure I don't talk). So it does beg the question, when was the last time you were a human being, rather than a human doing? Do you put time aside for yourself to just be? What are the things you think about when you're not doing? What should you be doing differently?

VS.