This may seem like a pointless way to spend his time, but it isn't.
It is an illustration of how God wants us to live.
By thoroughly enjoying a simple thing like a ceiling fan's movement, Hawken is living in the moment. He is living the one way we humans can live in eternity right now.
C.S.Lewis writes in The Screwtape Letters, "Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead."
The only way to look to the past while still living in the present is with gratitude -- gratitude to God for what you've learned; gratitude to God for what He's brought you through; gratitude to God for all the blessings He blessed you with.
How do you this with a tragedy you might ask?
My most recent tragedy would probably have to be losing my daughter last March. To not look at this memory through the eyes of gratitude would fill my heart with bitterness and anger. But to look at it with gratefulness I can remember my daughter with joy and hope and thankfulness for the years I was her mom here on earth.
And as Lewis writes about the future -- if we live our days, our minutes dwelling on what could be because we have nothing in the bank account (so we think -- how are we going to make it), or we dwell on a future investment that will come true (and we then neglect this present day); or we bemoan the fact we only have three months to live (instead of living each day as it comes for no one knows the day or hour of death no matter what doctors may say) -- all of these attitudes steal away your joy and present day.
We only have today. We only have this moment. That is what Jesus was trying to tell us in Matthew 6.
He says, "For this reason Is ay to you,do not be anxious for your life . . . For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Back the truck up!!!!
I'm not saying you don't plan.
I'm not saying you don't budget.
I'm not saying you live without wisdom.
You do.
But you do what you're called to do and leave the results to God. You don't worry. You live today. You enjoy today. You fully engage the minutes God gives you. You savor that cup of coffee. You see all the good stuff God has blessed you with. You enjoy that conversation. You laugh loud at that comedian you love so much.
You live fully.
Don't live any other way.
"The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.
John 10:10
The thief can take many forms. Worry and stress are two common ones. Don't let them into your life.
Jesus gives abundant life. You just gotta take it.