Life, Noticed : Drink Water, Mind Your Business

There are some pieces of advice that sound almost too simple to be useful. One of them I first heard in what I considered fun song that went : Drink water, mind your business.

I’ve heard the second part used jokingly, usually when someone is getting involved in something that has absolutely nothing to do with them. But lately, I’ve been thinking about it differently.

Maybe at this point in my life, “mind your business” means more than just not interfering in others’ lives. It’s also an invitation to return to my life.

Drink water

Let’s start with the obvious. Drink water.

Not the coffee I reach for to get the day started. Not the tea I drink because it’s refreshing. Not the glass I remember only when I realise that I’m thirsty.

Water.

Something so ordinary that I can forget it while worrying about things that are not nearly as important.

I’m beginning to notice how often life is like that.

I spend a lot of time thinking. Thinking about what people say.Wondering what they mean. Their motives. Being sure of what they should have done. Concerned about what people think of me. What I should be doing now. Worrying about what might happen next.

When what I actually need is a glass of water and a little rest.

There’s something satisfying about taking care of a basic need.

Drink water.

Get some nutritious food.

Head outside.

Take a breath.

Get some sleep.

Reminding myself : Your body’s been through a lot with you, so pay attention to it.

Turns out, the best insights are often in everyday stuff.

Mind your business

This one is harder. Because I care. I’m an empath.

I notice things, notice people, notice injustice. I notice suffering. I tend to notice when people are struggling. I pay attention to things around me.

I don’t want to become uncaring to protect my peace.

There’s a big difference between caring and carrying.

I can care about people without being responsible for what they do. I can love people without trying to fix them. I can think things without saying them. I can observe without getting involved.

Also, I can stop comparing myself to others. There’s always someone doing better. Someone doing less. Someone travelling more. Someone who makes more money. Someone writing better. Someone appearing happier. Someone making choices I don’t understand. Someone making choices I think are completely wrong.

I can spend my days keeping score. Or I can mind my business.

My business is this life.

My body.

My relationships.

The work I am called to do.

The words I choose to put into the world.

The way I treat people.

The way I spend my time.

The things I give my attention to.

The kind of person I am becoming.

That is quite enough business for one lifetime.

What if I stopped keeping tabs?

It is a huge relief to understand this. I don’t have to know everything. I don’t have to be in every conversation. I don’t have to respond to everything. I can acknowledge some things are not my concern. I can say, “That’s theirs to deal with.” Then I can focus on my own life. This mindset is not selfish. It is not uncaring. It is about setting boundaries. It is about prioritizing my well-being. I can let go of controlling everything. I can let go of being involved in everything. This frees me from stress. It frees me from anxiety. It is liberating to realize this. I can concentrate on my own path. I can let others handle their own stuff.

Perhaps this is what I am noticing. Life doesn’t always need a grand lesson.

I know what is my business. I know what is not my business.

I remind myself : Drink water. Mind your business. Return to your own life.

I’m running late this month – but this has been an important line that I’ve taken to heart and wanted to share.