For the topic of rest Tamara sends this photo of her cat with the comment “I wish I could rest like a cat.” which reminds me of this Eckhart Tolle quote, “I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.” 🙂
When it comes to rest cats really do have it down. They can be 100% in the game but when it is time for rest they do it, anywhere and for as long as they need it.
People are not always this wise. We push ourselves to keep going no matter what. So many of us haven’t had a good eight hours of sleep in any night we can recall.
Respite
by January Handl
Yesterday I watched hundreds of pelicans-
Hundreds!
More than I had ever seen,
gliding in wavering “Vs”,
riding invisble tracks up,
and over draft obstacles,
deep blue sky as backdrop
ocean’s surging waves the
musical score by which
their feathered limbs soared
or held moving pause.
So many
So many!
My heart hung onto
their huge wings,
My mouth open
(til I thought about the direct
over head position of their train)
my spirit expanding with the skyway
they traveled
And I saw that the leadership
and direction
was shared
in some mysterious way.
And some needed more space
More time
Maybe just today
Maybe just now.
I went back to
the beach house
where my sisterhood of women
was in retreat.
The waves of conversation
Followed word/thought
threads that wove
around how we women
often shame ourselves
when we dare to take
care of ourselves,
or choose to decline requests,
or yearn toward
recline or rest-
We berate ourselves with that
harsh inner voice
what we’ve come to internalize
as “weakness”
when we haven’t put all other
needs before our own.
I want to offer refuge
cherishment
solace
comfort
deep rest
to these huge-hearted women,
not only because I adore them,
because I want them to remain
inspired in the service that ripples outward
and makes this world a kinder place
Dear daughters, please witness
and observe
please begin
a new paradigm
of loving our beautiful selves
enough
to restore, choose health
choose our own well-being,
taking space and time
when we know its needed,
in respect to this opportunity
in honor of the unique offering
we call life.
Yes please do choose a new paradigm when it comes to caring for your self.
This week we honor rest. The restorative power and the gift it can be for our souls.
I have it easy since I am on vacation this week (and am writing this in advance) but even if you do not have that luxury, give yourself the gift of a few minutes here and there. Try sleeping a bit longer, meandering a bit more slowly and hearken your body’s call. If you can give your body what it needs you will be rewarded a hundred times over. Your brain works better after rest, your body has more energy after rest, your soul is revitalized after rest.
This week our initiative is to rest. Take the time. Do what you know is needed.
Let us know in a comment how you plan to do it and/or how it goes!
(I’ll be back in a week to give you my full report!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tamara and January are here each Monday to help set the mood for the week!
Tamara Magnitsky
My mission is fulfilling a lifelong desire to be a creative professional making a positive difference in the lives of those I encounter. Photographing unique personalities in a fun and relaxed environment. To challenge myself creatively, listen deeply and take a damn good picture.
See Tamara’s photography on her Facebook Page.
January Handl
January Handl is first and always a mother, has been a preschool teacher and parent educator for 25 years. She is currently lives in Aptos California AND simply in awe of existence.
She calls her photo “hot tub bliss” 🙂
I love this Tamara and January! It’s so true that we push and push until our bodies say enough. It’s incredibly important to take the time to rest, relax and restore our bodies, minds and spirit. Thank you for the uplifting message!
Thank you, Rebekah, the more we support each other in this endeavor of resting as needed, the more we can do it…guilt-free!
Thank you so very much January for sending this my way. Your words have always seemed to grab my heart and know when to present themselves. For that, I am thankful! Being a Mom of 4 is quite the task, and often times ‘rest’ is the last thing on the list for the day. Only to get up in a few short hours to be ‘busy’ all over again. After reading this, it is a great reminder to stop and smell the roses, and my children will witness that and do the same. As always, thank you for sharing yet another piece of wisdom for this Mama. Now…Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I intend to take 4 days off of pure rest and enjoyment for not just myself but with my kids. xoxoxo
Dear one, your love is such a great model for your children- the integrity and energy is a force of nature! So glad to hear when you include yourself in your giant circle of LOVE! Thank you for your response…keeps me inspired!
Dinah, you know I’ve been through a tough time lately. My darling cat has helped by waking me regularly inthe night to purr and give me slo-mo Love Eyes, which is supportive but tiring… this morning I woke to cook breakfast for my daughter as a treat, waved her off, went back to bed and slept for another two and a half hours – and woke to this!
I am very much treateing my ‘enforced rest’ from work as a time to relax, recharge and do what the hazummers I feel like. Just like when I was a little girl in those ling summer holidays.
Great poem, great article. Thank you. xx
Thanks Gill,
My animals are such a bounty of love for me…and part of it is their model of resting whenever and however the opportunity presents itself…Yay for going back to bed on the days that we can and luxuriating in those delicious moments.