No matter how busy we are or how full our schedule is, we must make it a priority to take time to rest. We often fill up our days with as much as we can possibly pack in, and at the end of the day we are exhausted and either still have tasks left undone or feel like we are failing because we feel we should have done more. We end up dissatisfied, on edge, and miserable when we can’t sustain the constant push to do more, more, more.
“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”
Alan Cohen
Counter-intuitive though it may be, now is the perfect time to take a few minutes to just be still. Any tasks will still be there when we have rested and recharged. Now is the time to be alone for a few minutes in silence. In this quiet space, there is nothing to do, no place to be, no rush to get something done.
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
Saint Francis de Sales
When it all gets to be just too much, and we feel overwhelmed, we can consciously focus on breathing deeply and slowly, letting our tense muscles relax. We don’t have to sit in a special position or allocate vast amounts of time to it, just whatever position is comfortable for even just 5 minutes.
“It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.”
Marcus Aurelius
When we allow ourselves to receive the gift of tranquility and connect with our heart, we return to our duties feeling more refreshed and focused and we will be more productive in the long run. In addition, we will be better able to cope with everyday stressors and support our mental, emotional, and physical health.
“When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.”
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
The Weekly Post 