Hello Chris,
Thank you for sharing your view from the story of James Godron Gilkey. As I chose the same story of James Gordon Gilkey, I enjoyed reading the lesson you took from the story. It is interesting that you mentioned about the relationship between busyness and social status and questioned yourself your business is necessary to be or you make it on purpose to think yourself as an important person.
I notice if I have some problem which I do not want to think about, I tend to put many thing to do to keep busy. It is probably because I give myself a good excuse to avoid thinking.
For your question, recently I try to make certain time to use for exercise. I notice I tend to be think too much. So I try to use physical movement to stop my thinking.
I agree with when we step back some certain time to be away from our day-to-day busyness, it boost our efficiency and creativity.
Hiromi