Energy
Drains
“You'll
find it much easier to enjoy the full benefits of your quiet time if
you're able to reduce the distractions and the energy drains as
well.”
Elaine
St. James (Inner Simplicity)
Most
of us, especially working people, would like to have more free time.
Not just time to do the things that need to be done, like grocery
shopping and house work, but down time. “Me time.” Time to do,
well, nothing. We think we're going to have it on the weekends, but
find Saturday and Sunday filled with errands and family care-taking,
church luncheons and pot-luck dinners, all of which require not only
leg work, but mental planning as well. Before we know it, Monday
morning is here and we haven't had one moment to ourselves.
Wouldn't it be a novel idea to take at least one of those days off.
Or if not one whole day, a four-hour block of uninterrupted time. We
tend to think of relaxation as coming in the form of yoga or massage,
but sometimes getting organized to do those things is also demanding.
Sometimes the very best form of relaxation is an afternoon nap, or
lying on the couch reading a book. In good weather, it could be as
simple as taking a walk, not for exercise, but for listening and
looking. A stroll.
Constant
motion does not lend itself to inner simplicity. We may need to cut
back on our social obligations, and even our church obligations to
create space for quiet, meditative relaxation. We may have to learn
how to say 'no' to the neighborhood football gathering, or the
Saturday night movie group. We may have to rotate off the building
committee or the board of deacons to bring inner balance.
This
is a good time to think of ways to make your life easier, freer,
and more peaceful. What are the involvements that are draining your
energy? What could you cut out, or cut back on, to create some down
time? What would be the simplest way for you to shed the tension?
Inner calm comes from having time to be still, and quiet, and to
allow ourselves to relax all the way down to the cellular level. When's the last time you did that?
In
the spirit,
Jane
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