“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop”
Ovid
“Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit.
Inner peace begins with a relaxed body.”
Norman Vincent Peale
“When we rest, our energy is restored.” Lailah Gifty Akita
Today’s norm is to constantly be on the move without time for rest, relaxation, and recharging. Many of you find yourself depleted and exhausted yet you continue to push yourself. When you neglect time for rest, relaxation, and restoration then you fail to recharge yourself.
When was the last time you took time to rest? To rest you need to find place to relax where you are not pulled in different directions, answering electronic devices and distracted by other activities. Sabbath means a day of rest. A time of rest in which you must slow down and not engage in those duties and responsibilities that require and demand your time and energy.
Here are actions you can take to assist with taking time for rest (Sabbath):
1. Intentionality – Schedule time to rest. When you look at your busy schedule, put on your calendar a day or a couple of hours where you rest, relax and recharge. For some it could be spending time at home in front of the fireplace reading a book, watching a movie, having dinner at home with family, spending time out on the patio, or simply going to bed earlier than usual. You may schedule after work to spend an evening not working on projects or taking work home with you. It is your time of rest. You may schedule a Friday evening to be around the house and not engage in the hustle and bustle of life.
2. Learn to say “no” – You have to become comfortable saying no to things that are not in alignment with your purpose or those things that require your energy and effort, but they don’t serve any purpose in your life. You have to learn that you don’t have to be involved in a plethora of organizations or attend every meeting in the organizations you are member of.
3. Set boundaries – You have to set boundaries when it comes to your time. People often will have you engaged in something that you either are not interested in or not a part of God’s plan for your life. Don’t allow others to plan for you and learn not to overextend yourself. Learn to manage your schedule and value rest, relaxation, and restoration. If you do set boundaries, then you will experience superlative outcomes in your career, and personal life, feel better and you can achieve greatness.
Finally, you owe it to yourself to take a vacation, give yourself much needed rest and relaxation. The greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of the Sabbath, a time of rest. Life is not meant to be lived on the highway going 90 miles per hours every moment of the day. If that is you, then it’s time to take a Sabbath!
