Today I rested. I went to the dentist and the appointment went fine, half my face ended up being numb until the afternoon, yet all was fine. So I rested until I could feel my lips. And I must admit it felt good, and I felt a bit guilty. I found these words from Leann Renee Hall to help me process through napping:
Rest isn’t a reward for work;
– Leann Renee Hall
it’s part of work.
As I pondered these words, I was reminded that when we are tired we are not at our best. Our bodies need rest and quiet to recoup, regenerate and restore. Running at full speed all the time not only wears us out, it wears us down. Eventually we no longer remember how to operate at full speed, on all engines. We’ve been living out of a place of tiredness and have forgotten what we look like when all engines are firing. And it goes without saying, our work, ideas and creativity suffer…which makes us feel less than who we were meant to be.
So what’s the solution? I have a few thoughts. First, we need to be able to and live with the word NO. We cannot be all things to all people all the time. Some of what we want to do may have to become something we do when timing is better. Second, make rest and sleep a priority. Which is reminding ourselves to make our health a priority, set a bedtime, and remove distractions. Third, remind yourself that focusing on your health is not selfish or lazy. And finally, stop feeling guilty for sleep and rest. They refresh us AND we can’t be who we are without them. Whoever or whatever it is that is preventing you from that nap or bedtime, let it wait. Let it go, and rest. A fresh you facing it tomorrow is better than cranky, tired you forcing it today.
Remember, rest is not a reward for work; it is part of work. No rest, no work…or poor work and who wants that?
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