As we head back to school, I am reminded of the school calendar--Fall and Spring BREAK, Winter HOLIDAY, and Summer VACATION-- All terms used to describe the periods of rest in a school year. When we go back to school, resting is however the farthest thing from our minds, we begin to think about all of the things we need to DO before the end of the year. Halloween is just around the corner, Christmas decorations and shopping are in the stores already, the New year, Spring clean-ing and then we're back where it all began….where did the summer go?” At least that is true for me--what about you?
We are caught up in so much doing that we don’t make time to rest. But perhaps it is the most important back to school lesson we can learn. I offer an acronym to help us learn the back to school lesson of REST.
REMEMBER what being rested feels like for you-- no matter how long its been, take a moment to recall what rest looks and feels like for you. Rest and sleep are not synonymous although sleep plays a role. Rest is the root word for restoration and restoration will look different for you than someone else. Are your eating habits restorative? Are your movement habits restorative? Are your mental habits restorative?
EVALUATE your restorative practices-- It takes practice to unlearn busyness and constant doing. If you want to be a piano player, you must practice. If you want to be a writer, you must practice. If you want to be a speaker, you must practice. Resting is not a one time occurrence, it takes practice. Take a moment to evaluate what restorative practices you have in place.
START your day with what is restorative. Many of us start our days with doing, we check our emails, and our social media and immediately we have begun with ‘doing’ our days. Why not start your day with a restorative practices instead? Read your bible, exercise, journal, pray, post affirmations on your mirror and read them, hug your partner and your children (if you have them).
TRACK and tame rest-- At least once a day, track how you are doing with your restorative practices. Did you read one verse or two? Did you do two minutes of mindfulness? Take note of how you are doing with resting. At least once a month celebrate your progress as you move toward more restorative practices. Once a quarter evaluate your restorative practices and if you want to continue or delete it? Is it working for you or not? Resting can become addictive--and it’s not a bad addiction to have--but we do have to tame ourselves--remember everything in moderation. Too much rest may border on laziness.
Proverbs 10:4 says “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Let us not mistake a lifestyle of ‘too much doing’ with diligence. Rest is an important part of our diligence in doing the work that God is calling us toward. Let's go back to school and learn to rest.
Comments