Take time to rest

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This one took me a long time. 

I felt if I wasn't doing something, I wasn't being...what? The best mom, the best wife, the best daughter, the best employee, the best friend, the best human. But we are human beings, not human doings.

I had to learn to make a list, prioritize and yes; there were many times (daily) the list did not get completed.

I also spent a lot of time spinning my wheels.

Thinking about things I needed to do.

What came of it? A very tired, sometimes cranky person.

Now, you may be a person with a lot of commitments.  Commitments are good. They keep us connected. Many times, they are linked to helping and serving others. Good. However, over-committing can be overwhelming and typically we aren't our best selves when we're over-committed. I know I wasn't. I had to learn to say 'no'. Ouch. But you can say it in a nice way. 'I'm afraid I've over-committed and can't  be there'. ...is okay. As long as priorities are straight, people will understand.

How to prioritize? For me: God first, others second, me third.  You'll need to decide what your priorities are for you.

Ask yourself - does what I'm doing fit my priorities? Then keep them as best as possible.

And schedule rest around them.

Your rest time may be different from another's.

>If you work, it may just be 15 minutes in a space with the door closed reading positive quotes or verses or a daily devotion and meditating on it.

>If at home, you may say 'after lunch is quiet time' and take an hour. Even if the kids don't want to rest it will be good for them to play quietly or read in their room, provided they are of age.

>You may take an hour after all have gone to bed and read quietly in your flannel and cozy socks.

>Time lounging on Sat. afternoon after the day's chores are done (or at least you've made a dent) may be your time.

>Don't feel like you must always be getting up and doing. Set some time, and then when  the times is up - you will get up and 'do'.

Trouble sleeping at night? A no-fail trick for me is the alphabet list of gratitude:  'A' I'm grateful for apples, 'B' I'm grateful for Bradley, 'C' I'm grateful for...  I rarely make it to 'Z' and almost never have a poor night's sleep.

Go ahead, take time to rest. May it be peaceful. May it be cozy.