8th October 2026 Mani & Beena
Sometimes, I feel like doing nothing. When I saw this abstract painting by Mani, who painted the logo for the defunct Air Sahara, it came to mind. Recently, my friend Geetha sent this post with the words that mean, “ If you enjoyed the time wasted, it is not wasted time”.
Why were we taught, from such a young age, that our value depended on constant activity? If we dared to pause, we risked being branded as lazy—a label that etched itself into my memory. Even in the workplace, we prized productivity above all else. Yet over time, I discovered something powerful: when I let myself step away, breathe, and reset, I returned more focused and creative. Since then, I have encouraged others to find these moments of stillness, to reclaim the quiet as a source of strength rather than shame.
There’s a beautiful Italian phrase for this: “Dolce far niente”—the sweetness of doing nothing. It isn’t laziness; it’s an invitation to savour the present, to find joy in small rituals like sipping coffee, watching the sunset, or wandering aimlessly simply for the pleasure of being alive. Mani’s abstract painting reminded me to embrace this mindset. I’d love to hear your thoughts—how do you find sweetness in your own moments of stillness?