Affirmation Mondays 359 ~ Rest is not a matter of doing absolutely nothing. Rest is repair…

“Rest is not a matter of doing absolutely nothing. Rest is repair.”  ~ Daniel W. Josselyn

The days may be chaotic, yet the lure of rest beckons in cozy, dozy Winter ways…

“Rest is not a matter of doing absolutely nothing. Rest is repair.”

Rest, how we all long for it’s ease, it’s calm, it’s luscious allure of repose. How often, though, is rest considered wasteful, wrong, lazy, indolent?

Why is something so incredibly necessary to our health and well being labeled as a slothful indulgence? Why must we prove our “virtue” by working ourselves into strung-out stupors of constant activity? Why must everything we do have a set purpose with a tangible output?

If you have time to sit, you have time to tackle a to-do list. If you have time to daydream then you have time to work. If you have time to do nothing then you have time to get something worthwhile done.

It’s so wrong.

Rest is vital to our welfare. All living things need rest. Without rest you get ill and you die. Point blank period. Humans are supposedly at the top of the food-chain and yet we classify rest as a sin, as a waste of resources, as a sign of ne’er-do-wellness.

The best reason I can figure is that societal expectations set this up to keep us small, tired, and unable to question those who “run things”. In this way corruption can happen right under our exhausted noses.

By actively choosing rest and overriding the idea that virtue can only be achieved by constant hard work, you begin to regain your own power, your own self. You can work hard, but you have to rest in equal measure.

Balance is always the key to figuring out your ideal way of living. This world we exist in doesn’t want that and does all that it can to keep an imbalance in favor of tired over rested. Tired people can’t question, can’t assemble, can’t learn or fight back as well as rested after all.

With Winter starting this upcoming Saturday, I recommend that you start looking at your days, at your life, and start finding ways to rest. Discover ways to do nothing but simply exist. Sure, the lure of scrolling through various forms of social media is alluring, but time without tech, without a constant stream of input is so, so necessary for your ease.

I am beyond guilty of spending down time on my phone going from one scrolling situation to another, and it always leaves me edgy, hyper-stimulated, and fried. I really dislike feeling that way and so I’ve taken a really honest look at my habits and have started to put my phone down in favor of reading books, fiddling with my sewing, or just staring out the window daydreaming. I find time where I have no set focus on an outcome other than just being in the moment to be refreshing and so soothing to my mind and being. There is no need to do anything that could be considered practical, or checks anything off a list, it’s just restful enjoyment that may or may not end up with me dozing off for a blissful bit.

This Winter is going to be one of rediscovering rest, rediscovering how my body needs to be recharged and repaired. It’s going to be a rebellion and a revelation and one that I have been desperate for for far too long.

I urge you to step away from the constant go-go-go mindset, if only for a moment here and there, and rediscover your own ways of resting. You deserve the ease!

Take care and just know that you are not alone.

Namaste ~ Ella

~ Word Nerd shall be returning in the New Year as well as a few new features and delights ~ Thank You for staying around!!!

~ Affirmation Mondays are positive words of wisdom, insight and joy to add a bit of cheer to the start of your week and any day you need a bit of a pick-me-up! For even more inspiration please check out my Affirmation Mondays Pinterest Board and my Quote-spirational Board!

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