Monday, July 12, 2021

Word for the Week

 From the dictionary, noun for REST: "an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity."

Alan Cohen says: "There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither."

When I stepped into my garden a few days ago I found this bumble bee resting on one of my tea leaves. I talked to him and moved the leaf and yet he remained there for quite awhile. He was resting! He had been working quite hard and it was time to rest. What a perfect leaf to rest on.

Then in church yesterday my pastor spoke on the importance of rest. So today I am paying attention to REST.

Do you find time to rest or more importantly take the time to rest? How do you like to rest? Do you take a comfy chair out into nature and sit awhile? Pick up a book and a cool drink and spend some time savoring a fantasy? Do you pray in rest? Do you sing as you rest? Or do you just let your mind wander where it will? Lately I have been waking in the night for a couple hours. I remind myself to just rest as I lay there and not to worry that I am not sleeping (sometimes easier said than done), but I try reminding myself to rest.

Anne Lamott says, "Rest and laughter are the most spiritual and subversive acts of all. Laugh, rest, slow down." 

Laughter is indeed a form of rest for me, one I very much forget to do at times.

So for today and all week long let's focus on REST.

Have a great week, dear friends, and remember REST in your busy days.

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4 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

I am taking a rest now, relaxing thinking of how to incorporate more rest in nature.

Jeanie said...

Alan Cohen and Anne Lamott -- two of my favorites. I do believe in rest -- not so much the laying down kind but the sit back and be kind. Or reading. When I was waiting during Rick's surgery I was so exhausted but when they put me in that room with the view of the lake, I just sat in the chair and stared at it. I couldn't sleep, but oh, did I rest!

Lorrie said...

A lovely post, Marilyn, reminding us of the importance of rest. I find myself just staring out the window sometimes, admiring the garden, or the sky. It's very calming. Have a good and restful week.

Changes in the wind said...

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