We all have heard the expression, “No Gain Without Pain.” We have all been told it is a good thing to put your shoulder to the grindstone and try hard. Let’s replace those propositions: Life is easy, fun and loving! Naturally we want to rest and recharge and let’s follow that impulse as it arises.
Hooray for letting life flow! Hooray for feeling relaxed and good. Pursuing what is wanted with time to change focus, play and rest.
In How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci[1] author Michael Gelb points out how da Vinci recommended juggling to fuel his genius.
Rosco with Flowers, 16 x 20, $475
He found pausing got his mind and body working differently from the way it had while doing his task. Juggling switches the focus and resting of attention results. Returning to the creative task one can access new vigor.
You know that saying “You will make yourself sick working that hard?” At age 51 Jordan kept up an intense pace both at work and in personal time. She was making a big change in her life, closing down a job, deciding whether to sell or rent the house, then preparing it for sale and packing up, moving.
Focused intensely for two years, J had not slept eight hours during that interval. Or star did not take time to juggle or play or rest.
Oh my Jordan attracted mononucleosis. Consequently, this heroine needed two years of slower pace until J regained a “normal” level of energy again.
As she experienced a fatigue illness, J saw the value of taking a breather as she proceeds to what she wants.
What are some activities that assist us in keeping balance? Examples include:
- Taking a day to have no schedule
- Puttering
- Exercising
- Spending time in nature
- Spend time acting the role of couch potato
- Taking naps
- Laying down and breathing
- Meditating
- Juggling and more.
Other ideas? Jordan lays down during the day for a re-charge and while in a prone position puts her hands on the sit bones. If in chair, she can sit on her hands for a few minutes. This activates “quietly regeneration,” knowledge within the study of Jin Shin Jyutsu. Experience this trick to see how well it works!
Alternatively, in a prone position our star sometimes puts her fingertips on her skull, making sure one hand is on each side of an imagined midline.
Use vacation days! Do a crossword puzzle! Grab a fluid and chill!
It is so much fun to feel the clarity of being well-rested! The vitality, the playfulness, the freshness, the All-Is-Well feeling.
Yes! Re-creation– create yourself a new. The path of ease! Yes! Rest!
Want to share favorite ways to kick back? Or stories from the reward of of taking your mind off the project for a bit? Please comment. Balancing with rest is best :).
[1] Gelb, Michael, How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, New York, New York(Delacorte Press, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc, 1998)
About the Author
Janet Pearlman is a spiritual teacher, counselor, healer and artist. She has a gift for inspiring others to know themselves compassionately and to develop skills of empowerment. In her forty-three-year journey of self-discovery, she has deeply studied the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, Ernest Holmes and more. Janet offers individual sessions by phone and in person. Please contact her at jpearl@streamofyes.com to arrange an appointment.