Tired? Worn Out? {Tools for Recovery}

Dolce far niente! 

{How sweet it is to do nothing!~Italian saying}

It's hard for me to stop moving.  Okay... I'm a bit high-strung.

If I'm completely honest, I used to judge the nap-takers, those who went for massages,  

and those who set healthy boundaries by saying "no."  

Without realizing it, I had succumbed to the lie of our culture, 
a culture that applauds busy-ness and sees no value in the afternoon siesta.

Then I discovered that this way of living is in direct opposition to what God desires for us!

The culture screams, "Take control, work harder and beat your body into submission!"

...But neglects to tell you the end result:   tired, worn out bodies.




Then I read an amazing scene in 
Mark 6:30-32:

 "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
 So they went away by themselves in a boat 
to a solitary place.

Here is the TRUTH~ 
Jesus modeled a life of 
"work / play / rest"
Played out in the world in the rhythm of His Grace.

So today, I offer you a little assignment. 

Set aside some time, schedule it in if you have to~ Just for you.

And I offer some tools for making that time sweet and UN-productive!


{There are even SHORT and LONG recommendations, so you skeptics who think this is a great idea, but impossible to implement can make no excuses!}


Unplug from technology:
Short version:
Turn your phone and computer OFF for 15 minutes and close your eyes.
Long Version:
Announce to friends and family that you are going on a "Technology Fast" and will be away from your phone for a day, or a week. 

Enjoy a relaxing Yoga session:
{Although Yoga doesn't line up with my theological views, 
the benefits for the body cannot be denied!}


Short Version:
Wonderful "Relax at your desk for 5 minutes version":

Kripalu Relax, Open, Energize with Jurian Hughes from Kripalu Center on Vimeo.

Long Version:

Enjoy the 60 minute version here.

Spend time with Jesus:

Here is a lovely, straight forward reminder from a man of authentic faith.  Read everything you can get your hands on by Brennan Manning (Start with The Ragamuffin Gospel~ you can read the first chapter here.)

When you begin to grasp, really grasp, how deeply you are loved by God, you will stop trying to please the culture, and simply want to love Him more.