Being Centred

Being centred is more important than being efficiently managing multiple tasks. Being centred is not being self-centred; it is not being dissipated in our multi-tasking. Being centred allows you to do many things, not just jumping from one activity to another but doing things effectively (as contrasted to mere efficiency). It means having a servant mentality, not just being service providers or service deliverers. It allows us to be open to persons, not just concentrate on principles. Sometimes I could bulldoze people, hurt them just for the sake of fulfilling the laws. Persons first, principles then. This is not the same as saying: “Toss your principles out of the window.” No. This means standing for your principles while you put others, the human persons at the centre of your attention. This is avoiding legalism. The sabbath for the person, not vice-versa. Henri Nouwen puts it beautifully: “You have so many options that you are constantly overwhelmed by the question ‘What should I do and what should I not do?’ You are asked to respond to many concrete needs. [...] But what of all this truly deserves your time? [...] You have to keep going back to the source: God’s love for you. [...] Try to give your agenda to God. [...] Give every part of your heart and your time to God and let God tell you what to do, where to go, when and how to respond.” (The Inner Voice of Love 121-122.) Being centred, ultimately, means being centred on God.