It Takes Courage to Rest…
In our society which rewards doing more, which applauds busyness and which encourages us to “find something to do,” we have forgotten how to rest.
So today’s post will be short. Because I need to rest. And so do you. Because it is brave.
It takes courage to stop all the doing, the side hustle, the email replies, the planning for next week, the lunch making, the form signing, and the homework helping to just rest and replenish. Many of us don’t like to rest. The thought of not actively working toward something makes us feel anxious.
And yet, science has proven that we are more productive, more in tune, more able to make good decisions and make better connections with others when we take the time to rest.
I just finished reading the book Brave, not Perfect by Reshma Saujani. In it, Reshma offers up an entire chapter about the importance of rest. I heard her speak on a podcast just before I read the book and she made a statement that has stuck with me.
“You can’t be brave if you are tired.”
So, my readers, today is a day to rest. Dinner is already made. Lunch will be up to the kids. I will attend church this morning and then give myself permission to rest this afternoon. The only question today is, will it be a beer and football or a tea and a good book with a favourite blanket kind of afternoon? Will you join me in finding the courage to rest today?
Christine Sharpe: Writer, Speaker, Leader . 
So true! I have grown to dislike the word ‘busy’ as it has become everyone’s first response to “how are you”. I feel like people are looking for either accolades or sympathy when neither seems appropriate. Rest is one of the most important things we can teach our children, not constantly loading another activity into their day. Thank you so much for all of your writings, your bravery and courage, and for leading by example.
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I totally agree, Carol. One barrier may be that we often hear “rest” equated with “laziness” and nothing could be further from the truth.
Thank you for reading. And thank you so much for sharing this insight.
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