I need to write a 3-part series on rest. Perhaps I should just cut to the chase and write an entire book on the subject.
Time for a confession: I am not good at resting. Not good at all.
There is part of me that wants to be in a constant state of motion. I’ve had to dig deep to find out why. I naturally love movement. Yet, there’s another part of me that derives a sense of validation from all this activity.
If I am this busy, I must be accomplishing things, right?
However, when I flip this Jason-is-in-perpetual-motion coin to the other side, I find myself in a constant state of exhaustion as well.
There simply must be a better way to live than working 60 or more hours every week.
John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry appeared to me like a beacon on the horizon. It showed me that there is a better way to live, a slower and more contemplative pace.
When I pared this book with Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, I started thinking very differently about my life and business.
Keep in mind, what these authors propose is not easy to put into action. “There is a narrow path and few will find it,” as the saying goes.
Life gets in the way.
A lot.
Cars need unexpected repairs, tires go flat, and family members need glasses, contacts, and braces.
Pulling back from a busy pace of work sounds great. Shifting to a lower gear for a few days would feel like a vacation, but financial pressures push us back into the ring.
Now we arrive at the divine tension — the life we want to live versus the life that pays the bills.
How can we claim back even a little sanity?
Not looking at email today.
Turning off your phone for a few hours.
Saying “no” to invitations to belong to groups or committees.
Keep in mind, I am not sharing anything new. You’ve heard suggestions like these before. The big question is why do we keep ignoring advice like this?
Asking you to turn off your phone for a bit is about as appealing as flossing. Sure, it sounds good, but good for someone else. “I can't possibly turn my phone off. What about my friends, spouse, or the kids? What if they need me?”
And there's the tension.
The life we want (ease, rest, recovery), the life that demands our time (bills and obligations), and the life we can't let go (perceived needs).
I will explore the intersection of these three areas in the next few articles.
In the meantime, it is Sunday. Turn off your computer, grab a book, or just do nothing for a bit.
Get some rest.
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