Relaxing When Effort Serves No Purpose

When I was in Montana a couple of weeks ago I spent some time in the areas where John Liver-Eating Johnson, born John Jeremiah Garrison Johnston, lived in central Montana. Also, a local Montana person recommended that I read the book, Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson by Raymond Thorp and Robert Bunker. The book is absolutely incredible and very hard to put down.

As with any book, I am finding things to think deeper about. In the book, when discussing Johnson’s ability to relax, Thorp and Bunker described the liver-eater in this way: “Johnson could always relax when there was no purpose in effort.” Thorp’s statement suggested that Johnson was adept at distinguishing between situations where effort was necessary and those where it wasn’t. When there was no clear goal or necessity, he could truly relax and be at ease, rather than feeling compelled to keep busy or exert constant effort.

From Johnson’s example, we can learn the importance of recognizing when our efforts are genuinely needed and when they might be unnecessary or counterproductive. His ability to relax when effort served no purpose highlights the value of mental discernment—knowing when to act and when to let go. Developing this awareness can help us avoid unnecessary stress, cultivate genuine relaxation, and conserve our energy for moments that truly matter. In essence, Johnson’s calmness in appropriate moments teaches us the power of mindful relaxation and the importance of discerning effort from ease.

Byron's Babbles