Rest

Power down. Shut off. Break.
Pause. Relax. Take a breather.
Calm down. Stand Still. Tranquility.

Rest.

No matter how you think the earth came into existence, at one point there was a rest day. After some time, the lump of clay becomes a pot, the seed a plant, and the tadpole a frog. Much of the world is not a fan of the 'in progress' mode; I'm included in that bunch. I often find myself saying, "I don't like being in between things." The process is sticky, messy, sometimes painful, most of the time long, but all of the time worth it. However the satisfaction comes at the end of a diligent work session to smile with pride and say, "This is good".

Whether you are winding down from a volunteer event, marathon, work week, business trip, art show, or workout, it is absolutely vital to success to rest. Have you ever looked at it that way? Everything else operates this way, so why wouldn't you? You have to charge your phone, or it dies. You have to give your body food, sleep, and water, or you will not last. Why wouldn't your mind work the same way? Take a step back and look at your project, your day, your week. What about it was good? There will most likely have been things that were bad because we live in a broken world.  However, there will most definitely be things that are good.

Look for the positive. Fill your life with people that add to your life, not take away. Reduce drama and stress. Seek help. Talk to a friend. Have a glass of whatever, responsibly. Go hiking. Take a bubble bath. Eat something delicious. Sit and read outside in the shade. Go suntanning. Let go of anger and bitterness. Pamper yourself. Go shopping. Indulge a little. Stretch. Sleep in. Laugh a lot. Watch a good movie. Sit in silence and just feel the miracle of breath entering and exiting your lungs.

You deserve it, just for being you.