When Doing Nothing is Better Than Doing Something
So last time we looked at circumstances at work (and in life) when simply doing something, rather than nothing, makes the most sense. Now we're going to look at the opposite - when doing nothing is better than doing something.
Before we start, let's set the record straight: We're not advocating laziness, negligence, or passivity - if by passivity you mean doing nothing in the face of a need for taking action. And let's recognize that, as Americans, we have a propensity for taking action, i.e., for doing something. It's simply in our nature. But that doesn't mean doing something will always be the right course. Perhaps the best illustration of this at work would be when your activity isn't producing results. Do you just keeping doing the same things over and over again, getting the same (lack of) results? If you're insane, perhaps. (The definition of insanity being doing the same things that aren't working over and over again, but expecting different results.) If you're stuck in this syndrome, just jumping from one course of action to another and then another may not be the answer. If you don't have a reasonably good alternative course of action, sometimes the best thing to do is simply stop. Do nothing. Think.
OK? With this in mind, let's proceed.
We're going to consider specific situations and circumstances that don't just call for us to stop and think. They call for us to simply do nothing. Our guide here will be Fr. Bruno Hagspiel, S.V.D. Let's look at something he wrote that we've pulled together under the title:
We warn you this is strong medicine. You may find some of Fr. Hagspiel's advice impractical, if not outright impossible. I suggest #3 and #4 may fall into those categories. But just take a deep breath and read these thoughtfully before judging.
Say Nothing
1. Let it pass, that insolent word. Do not retaliate. Remember Jesus, when taunted and mocked in the house of Herod, was silent. Imitate His heroic silence, His divine restraint. By so doing you will make giant strides in virtue. After all, it is easy to give back taunt for taunt, sneer for sneer, cut for cut. Anyone can do that. But to curb the tongue that is longing to lash out – that means manly sanctity. You have perhaps the power to inflict a wound far deeper than the one you got, but leave him to God, who knows the provocation you have received and who has said, “I will repay.” If he is worth anything, he will recognize your virtuous silence and respect you – perhaps it will be the means of converting him. If he is not worth anything, why be troubled about his lack of charity?
2. SAY NOTHING. Do not join in the uncharitable gossip. If you cannot put in a good word for the person criticized, say nothing. Your very silence will act as a rebuke. Be the one not to cast a stone. How do you know what trials he has to bear? How do you know how much and how often he has resisted temptation? Above all, how do you know if a word of gossip be true at all? You surely have been a witness to cases where the original story was so altered that it became unrecognizable. Any story that has gone through two tellings should be suspected.
3. SAY NOTHING if your word is depreciated, undervalued or the credit of it passed on to another. If this is done to you unintentionally, it will be a good act of self-denial to let the occasion pass in silence; if done to you maliciously, why give others the gratification of seeing they have wounded you. Small minds glory in it.
4. When misunderstood, judged rashly, blamed wrongly, even slandered – saying nothing. God will clear you.
5. When you see others flattering those in power, throwing out their poor bait to catch favor – say nothing.
6. When weary and in pain, bear it silently for the love of God and say nothing.
Can you see when and why doing nothing will be the best alternative? I hope so. If not, re-read these slowly and more thoughtfully. I think you'll at least better understand Fr. Hagspiel's points.
More next time...
Before we start, let's set the record straight: We're not advocating laziness, negligence, or passivity - if by passivity you mean doing nothing in the face of a need for taking action. And let's recognize that, as Americans, we have a propensity for taking action, i.e., for doing something. It's simply in our nature. But that doesn't mean doing something will always be the right course. Perhaps the best illustration of this at work would be when your activity isn't producing results. Do you just keeping doing the same things over and over again, getting the same (lack of) results? If you're insane, perhaps. (The definition of insanity being doing the same things that aren't working over and over again, but expecting different results.) If you're stuck in this syndrome, just jumping from one course of action to another and then another may not be the answer. If you don't have a reasonably good alternative course of action, sometimes the best thing to do is simply stop. Do nothing. Think.
OK? With this in mind, let's proceed.
We're going to consider specific situations and circumstances that don't just call for us to stop and think. They call for us to simply do nothing. Our guide here will be Fr. Bruno Hagspiel, S.V.D. Let's look at something he wrote that we've pulled together under the title:
Three Nothings For You: "Say Nothing, Think Nothing, Desire Nothing"
We warn you this is strong medicine. You may find some of Fr. Hagspiel's advice impractical, if not outright impossible. I suggest #3 and #4 may fall into those categories. But just take a deep breath and read these thoughtfully before judging.
Say Nothing
1. Let it pass, that insolent word. Do not retaliate. Remember Jesus, when taunted and mocked in the house of Herod, was silent. Imitate His heroic silence, His divine restraint. By so doing you will make giant strides in virtue. After all, it is easy to give back taunt for taunt, sneer for sneer, cut for cut. Anyone can do that. But to curb the tongue that is longing to lash out – that means manly sanctity. You have perhaps the power to inflict a wound far deeper than the one you got, but leave him to God, who knows the provocation you have received and who has said, “I will repay.” If he is worth anything, he will recognize your virtuous silence and respect you – perhaps it will be the means of converting him. If he is not worth anything, why be troubled about his lack of charity?
2. SAY NOTHING. Do not join in the uncharitable gossip. If you cannot put in a good word for the person criticized, say nothing. Your very silence will act as a rebuke. Be the one not to cast a stone. How do you know what trials he has to bear? How do you know how much and how often he has resisted temptation? Above all, how do you know if a word of gossip be true at all? You surely have been a witness to cases where the original story was so altered that it became unrecognizable. Any story that has gone through two tellings should be suspected.
3. SAY NOTHING if your word is depreciated, undervalued or the credit of it passed on to another. If this is done to you unintentionally, it will be a good act of self-denial to let the occasion pass in silence; if done to you maliciously, why give others the gratification of seeing they have wounded you. Small minds glory in it.
4. When misunderstood, judged rashly, blamed wrongly, even slandered – saying nothing. God will clear you.
5. When you see others flattering those in power, throwing out their poor bait to catch favor – say nothing.
6. When weary and in pain, bear it silently for the love of God and say nothing.
Can you see when and why doing nothing will be the best alternative? I hope so. If not, re-read these slowly and more thoughtfully. I think you'll at least better understand Fr. Hagspiel's points.
More next time...
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