Where have the Sundays gone? Writing my own Blue Laws
4 Jan
A few days ago, I suddenly found myself longing for the Sundays of my youth. When I was growing up, Sunday was a day for lounging around, for clipping coupons and reading comic strips. We received The Martinsville Bulletin and/or The Roanoke Times. Ever since I was old enough to read and turn the pages of the newspaper, I looked forward to the Sunday comic section: Peanuts, The Far Side, For Better or For Worse, Doonesbury, Cathy, Dilbert. These were some of the comics I remember fondly. (I was less excited about the coupons.) Maybe my memories of Sundays are enhanced by the leisure that typically accompanies childhood years. Or, maybe there was something else that contributed to the leisurely quality of the Sundays that I remember.
The Blue Laws, which restricted alcohol and retail sales on Sunday, also accompanied my childhood years in Virginia. The origins of these laws trace back to the early 1600s, when the citizens of Jamestown were required to observe a holy day of rest on Sunday. The first step towards repealing these laws was taken thirty-five years ago on January 15, 1974. A transitional period ensued, as each county or city was given authority to decide independently whether to observe the laws. Finally, in 1988, a group of businessmen initiated a case that eventually led to the end of the Blue Laws in Virginia. Although I do not feel these laws have a place in our secular American society, one by-product of them was that people seemed to make more time for each other on Sundays. Sundays moved at a slower pace.
In the life that I lead today, I often feel that all the days are the same. As an artist and musipreneur in the US, I feel my challenge is to maintain a portfolio of IGOs, my term for “income-generating opportunities”. This portfolio ideally enables me to draw in sufficient amounts of income, while ensuring that I also have time and energy to practice and create. I am no stranger to faith, commitment, and discipline. So, every day I feel responsible for doing some kind of work towards reaching my goals.
I found the courage to make a promise to my dreams. I promised them that I would do everything in my power to bring them to life. I organized my time in order to make room for their pursuit. At first, I carved out minutes for my art on a daily basis, then hours, days, weeks, months, until I was fully devoted to being an artist and understanding what that means for me and my life. For every unit of leisure that I gave up in order to pursue these dreams, there was something I gained in return and I was one step closer to realizing them.
Enter another law: The Law of Diminishing Returns. Some of you might disagree with the application of this principle to an arena other than agriculture, for which it was originally devised. Still, I think this path is worth exploring, if only as an exercise. This economic principle suggests that there is an optimal amount of investment in a particular scenario. In this case, we’ll apply this notion to the investment of time. The optimal point will be different for every person, based on his or her personal circumstances. The idea is that if you invest less time than this optimal amount, you are missing out on some gains. You are likely to gain a lot from an hour more of study as a novice. An additional hour of study as an expert will contribute to your mastery of the subject. You will be giving up something to get something that is of value to you.
Yet, if you invest more than this optimal amount of time, you might not be gaining anything more. In fact, you might discover that you are losing something. The additional time you spend may well be a detriment to achieving your dreams. Finding the optimal solution is a matter of trial and error.
So, it has occurred to me that, somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the Sundays. Yet, Sundays aren’t really what I’m after. What I’m after is the feeling that comes with a moment of rest. I’m not talking about planning time for meditating or doing yoga or praying or going for a run or reading a book. I’m talking about having some time for doing absolutely nothing and being open to anything the universe offers me in that moment. I want to have that luxury – again.
This year I’m going to find that moment. Maybe I’ll even subscribe to the Sunday issue of the Los Angeles Times and read the comics every week.
In any case, I’m going to write my own “blue laws”.
As always, I’m open to your thoughts and personal experiences as they relate to this post, so please feel free to comment below.
Very eye-opening point of view! I completely relate to your experience of "diminishing returns" when I myself begin putting in more time into a project than the natural flow of The Universe has allotted me. There's never any need for me to push and shove. Great new music on the website as well! Looking forward to reading and hearing more from you soon!
Doron (& Agatha reading over my shoulder as well!)
A beautiful article that inspires us to stop for a moment and think about the balance in our lives. I too see the days blend together, especially when it comes to social media, as there is now set time for it – it happens continually.
But on this Sunday, I’m heading off to the farmers market with my son, Bryce, as walking among the fruits and vegetables brings me that sense of peace and connection to the earth – reminiscent of the Sundays of old.
nice article.. something really makes me think… i think the law of diminishing returns makes sense in many fields….
The world’s gone insanely busy. Sundays are no more part of the exceptions.
Doron (& Agatha): I hear you and thanks for sharing. Whenever we feel we are in "push-and-shove" mode, then we can make a point to step back, breathe, and try to go more with the flow. Instead of feeling like you are always behind and pushing, pushing, pushing, it creates a feeling of space and freedom to move forward.
Mark: You said it! After writing this entry, I also thought that, in addition to the Blue Laws, another major contributor to the “Sundays of yesterday” was the lack of entertainment at home and at your fingertips. Sunday TV programming was usually not very enticing, as I recall. Many of us now have computers in our home and there is “on demand” television. The social networking sites and the use of tools such as the Blackberry and iPhone are great for staying connected, but they do have their darker side! When there is no set time, the onus falls upon us to set up a schedule and that can be hard to do. Just as we set boundaries for our children, we have the option to set boundaries for ourselves and turn off the world. I try to remember that the world will keep on spinning without me. ; ) Also you had asked where I was playing on Sunday and, coincidentally, it was at a Farmer’s Market. I, too, love the community feel of many outdoor markets. I trust that you and Bryce enjoyed your Sunday!
Anoop: Yes, that’s how I feel, too. Many people associate this law initially with Malthus and his gloom-and-doom prophecy about the inability of the world to feed itself (in a nutshell). Of course, technological advances proved him wrong, but the idea has many useful applications and I would love to hear whether you find it has any application to your work or personal life if you would choose to share. If not, that’s fine, and I’m so glad to know it is something you agree is worthwhile considering. I enjoy applying a variety of economic principles to all kinds of things just for fun!
Bryan: Yes, indeed. And precisely because of the 24/7 world we live in these days, it is my feeling that we have to make our own “Sundays” if we want to get off the carousel ride. Of course, we have to accept that everyone makes his or her own choice as to when and whether to take a break. So it seems that the collective moments of rest for a majority of the population in a secular society are rare these days, unless you choose to be part of a smaller community that observes such moments.
Well I’m currently a student and life’s ultra busy. That’s why every free time I get, I savor. My Sundays are a bit free yet. Maybe nearing March it’ll get busy too.
I wish one day to be alone talking to myself, answering my questions.
Manisha, my first visit to your blog and your music site. Excellent voice. Claps !!!
Thanks for reading and listening, Hobo. I hope you are able to find that day of solitude, that day for conversing with yourself. Then, please share the answers you find to all the questions with the rest of us! : )
During our question answer session we the person is able to know oneself and that is good to happen in ones life. But till the end there is never ending of questions and answers. Isnt it ?
Yes, I would agree that the Q&A of life is an ongoing session in our minds. : ) The key is to find some quiet time to participate in the session.
Very true.