Lingering With Intent

There is something about lingering that is good for the soul. To linger has a time-honoured feel about it. Indeed, the word derives from the Old English word langan meaning ‘to prolong or lengthen.’

Nowadays, to linger has taken on some additional meanings: to delay going, to depart slowly (often reluctantly,) or even more disparagingly – to loiter with ill intent.¹

So, let me reclaim the word and its soulful sense.

When we linger, we have the opportunity to slow down, to remove ourselves for a short while from the hustle, bustle, and rush that pervades life today. When we linger, we have the chance to reflect and consider, without the distraction of our consumption-oriented culture.

Yet, we must be intentional about lingering. Our culture wants us to do all but slow down. Our culture entices and coerces us into going quickly from one thing to the next with little, or no, interlude or respite. To remove ourselves from this merry-go-round we must be intent on doing so. We have to make an active choice to disengage and to linger.

Slowing down and reflecting allows us much easier to make contact with our very core selves – our soul. In doing so we discover that our soul benefits, which in turn strengthens our intentional resolve to linger.

If we combine our lingering with doing so within nature (in a forest glade, beside a waterfall, on a mountain top for example) then our soul is even greater fulfilled.

Two and a half thousand years ago the esteemed Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu noticed this saying that ‘nature does not hurry but everything is accomplished.’ Very wise man that Chinese philosopher.²

Hence, if you find a stirring within your soul that encourages you to slow down, sit quietly, or simply stop, then listen to that inner voice. It is your inner tutor (in-tuition) speaking, and it knows what you need.

Notes.

1. An etymological note. Do not be tempted to think that there is a link between the word linger and the word malinger then be assured that they are not etymologically related. Malinger derives from Old French and means sick, haggard, or the pretence of sickness.

2. Lao Tzu (6^th century BC) is credited with writing the Tao Te Ching and the name Laozi is an honorific often translated as the Old Master.