Rest.
It’s that beautiful thing that happens when the phone stops ringing, the notifications quiet down and the assignments wrap up. The Christmas/New Year’s break is one of my favorite times of the year because the majority of the population slows down and focuses less on work and tasks and more on family, friends and serving others.
On a pure work level, things calm down. For me at least. And the result is that slower pace of life that I find hard to achieve throughout the rest of the year.
Hopefully, you were able to experience a few moments of rest these past two weeks. And I’d like to throw out some ideas on how we can hang on to portions of that calmness as life comes roaring back. Whether it’s the classroom, office or just tasks around the house, the reality is we can’t rest forever. Stuff just doesn’t get done.
But balance is good.
Here’s some ways that I have found balance in my life:
- Journaling – I have a goal to journal two chapters of the Bible a day. I read a chapter, underline a few verses, write those verses at the top of the page, and then just reflect. It’s a great centering tool to help bring in some other voices than my own which are typically frantic, judgemental, or just flat out wrong. You don’t need a Bible to journal–it’s just as therapeutic to get your everyday thoughts out on paper, but it has been nice to bring some spiritual discipline into this practice.Â
- No Electronics Day – I got an Apple Watch a few years back, and it has been a piece of tech that has actually help me walk away from tech! I can put my phone in a drawer for the day and not worry about not being available for emergencies. I can turn off my computer and walk away, knowing that I’ve got access to music if I want/need it. Social media is dead to me in this space. The goal is simply to eliminate the noise for an extended period of time that’s scheduled every week. It always results a calmer spirit.
- Special Night Out – Treat yo’self. Do it. Reward yourself for getting through a hard week, for putting in those hours, for focusing on the jobs at hand. And then give yourself permission to be pampered every now and then. Maybe it’s a nice meal out. A few hours burning some energy at Dave & Busters. A movie with a ridiculously large bucket of extra-butter soaked popcorn. You deserve it. Spoil yourself.
These are just a few ideas on how you can bring rest and balance into your life in the new year and not lose that moment of peace we experienced during the Christmas holiday. I’d love to hear more of your ideas below in the comments.
Have a great week–full of hard work, and well deserved rest! –Kev