Okay, I’ve worked for two Sundays in a row to keep a deadline I had neglected in a most cavalier fashion. And so I am going to take a two day mini-retreat from 8 p.m. today to 8 p.m. on Friday.
Working on Sunday is always a very bad idea. The rest every seven days is enshrined in Judeo-Christianity and Islam, and possibly in our bio-rhythms, what the Germans call ‘zeitgeber,” “time-keeper.”
During World War II, Great Britain experimented with 10 day “weeks,” then 74 hour weeks, but found that accidents dramatically increased and people could not maintain the pace. After experimenting, they found that a 48-hour work week, with regular breaks, plus one day of rest each week, resulted in maximum efficiency.
And so, I know that even if I force myself to write for the next couple of days, it will be inefficient. My mind, body and spirit will protest; they know I need a break.
And it’s going to be a lovely one: brunch with friends on Friday, and then a mixture of napping, walking, gardening, tidying up, praying, reading Scripture, and light reading. With my regular blog post a day, but hopefully not demanding ones. I know it doesn’t sound like much of a rest, but in fact the physical activity will give me a complete mental rest.
Thomas Merton: “Man was made for the highest activity, which is, in fact, his rest.”
The price for some things has to be paid. If we skip our weekly day of rest, we will burn out sooner, and need to take a week or month or less pleasant Sundays. If we neglect our health (as I have for too many years) sooner or later, we will pay in diminished productivity. We pay for neglecting relationships in increased stress. And so on.
How about you? When’s your next scheduled rest?
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On a much needed vacation, now and still feeling the pressure to do to feel accomplished. I know I will feel so much better if I rest now, so my work, both nursing and writing, will flourish in the weeks to come. Four more days to soldier on. I love that phrase. Dreary day today here, so feel a nap coming on.
Thanks, Holly, Francarona and LA,
LA, you might try prayer walking or listening to scripture on the hoof. I tried it earlier this year, http://dreamingbeneaththespires.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/pedometers-prayer-walking-and-bible-on.html as I was rapidly gaining weight and had many happy hours with it.
I guess one builds up to “go into a room, and shut the door” sort of prayer. It comes naturally to me, now, but then I've been practising for 15 years!! And I often do get bored, but soldier on!
I'm too much of a “do-er”, even the retreats I go on are full of action and frivolity. A quiet week in a monastery would be torture for me. I have, however, managed a certain amount of discipline in centering prayer and can spend about 10 minutes being “still” with my own thoughts. However, I'm a kinetic person and the labyrinth is a much better place for me to do my centering prayer. Doing mindless tasks such as cleaning or mowing my yard are also very “zen” and restful for me. My body is moving and busy leaving my mind open to new thoughts, ideas and lots of prayer.
Thanks for sharing. I've noticed that a Sunday afternoon nap does wonders to recharge my batteries! If I don't get it, my next week suffers.
Thanks for sharing. I think you are right. A mini retreat would be great.