Have you ever noticed how little we rest?
I’m not talking about sleeping at night (even though that’s a disappearing commodity as well).
I’m talking about turn-off-the-battery-powered-objects, drop your brain activity by about 90% and actually ENJOY some peace and quite.
Over the past 20 years, society has tricked us into redefining Rest and Relaxation as “anything away from our jobs”.
Then the tourism industry jumped on that bandwagon and has invented a series of highly desirable ways for you and me to “rest and relax” while hiking, trekking, exploring, biking, skydiving, paddle boating, skiing (well, you get the point).
We’ve all heard the funny comedian talk about how they went on vacation and came back more exhausted than they left. It’s funny because we all know it’s true…but then, it’s not that funny is it?
I’ll make this BOLD statement…
It is IMPOSSIBLE to have a quality business, career, relationships, friendships, and life unless you LEARN how to INTENTIONALLY and REPEATEDLY Rest and Relax.
It’s built into our DNA. God put it there.
Even He in his infinite and never-ending power and strength took the time to rest and relax on the 7th day of creation.
He didn’t need to do it – He did it as an example to us of what we need to do in order to live an orderly and successful life.
So how can you and I Rest and Relax?
Step 1 – Take out the Garbage
By “Garbage”, I’m talking about the wrong mindset you may have adopted about what Rest and Relaxation really are. By garbage I mean the stinky and messy thought pattern that may be governing your definition of R & R.
Take this quick pop quiz
1. When it comes to planning a vacation, do you:
a. Plan more time for exploring and sight seeing or
b. Plan more time for “vegging out” and “doing nothing”
2. On a typical weekend at home, do you
a. Knock out a ton of projects around the house while juggling friends, family and other activities or
b. Disappear for a few hours to do nothing but rest
3. When someone (like me) asks you about what it means to rest and relax, do you
a. Think that rest and relaxation is for the weak
b. Think that fun activities outdoors are restful and relaxing to you
c. Have a specific list of “solitary” things you do to rest and relax on a habitual basis
If you found yourself leaning more towards the “a” answers over the “b” and “c” answers, then you should not pass GO and collect $200 yet.
If you are going to have any chance of enjoying Rest and Relaxation the way it was meant to be, you need to Take out the Garbage on your old thinking and get ready to replace it with a mindset that will allow you to finally chill out and rest.
Step 2, 3 and 4 are in my next set of blog posts
