This was a timely reminder, Jan, thank you. My mother modeled productivity. She seldom napped, until her last few years, and prided herself on getting through a daily list. Though I resisted that style as a child, I became that as an adult. I'm learning, all over again, how to make space for a different kind of doing.
My mom said, "The only time I can read is when I'm on vacation. Otherwise, there are too many things to do, too many calls to make, too many interruptions, someone always needing something." I've discovered when I can really rest, sink into deeply, surrender fully to that within that is drawing me in, that I never have to think if I've had enough, another part of me effortlessly moves into creativity. Thank you for this!
Thank you for this special write up. I'm finding g it easier to rest now I'm inmenopause. 😴 my body cries out for rest. Our society demands work n activities from us, yet our bodies crave rest too. It's all about balance...
It took me many years to learn the value of rest. Then many more to be able to take it without feeling guilty. Wish I could get my daughter to understand this need both body and soul seek.
It is interesting that it seems to take most of us a long time to embrace this realization. Yet, I rarely see someone go back to the go-go-go lifestyle. I know I never will.
I have an intimate relationship with rest, as well as a rocky one, as someone with a disability. I HAVE to rest in between tasks, and sometimes, stopping for rest means stopping my work for the day. I'm trying to become ok with that, and I think I'm getting there.
It's quite a contrast to my earlier days, when I could do non-stop and pull the occasional all-nighter! It helps that my husband is very supportive!
(BTW, I think it was you I told that I was starting a second Substack for my Witchy thoughts. It's called "Principled Witchery." If that was not you, then I apologize!)
Relationship to rest can be tricky. A disability, whether physical, emotional etc. will definitely require modulation of activity. Yet we can grieve the energy and motivation we once had. Coming to friendly terms with what is can make all the difference and help cultivate acceptance and peace within. I'll be checking out your Substack Principled Witchery.
Thank you, Jan! Rest used to feel like "cheating" to me. Your Mom was a twin to my Mom! LOL I retired from my day job a year ago and have expanded what was my sideline, an intuitive healing practice. When I'm not working with clients, I still wanna be busy and I tend to keep myself busy! Different health things have happened recently that have forced me to slow down and rest. And I'm learning to honor this! Thanks for your beautiful words and sharing part of your story!
Hi PJ, I think there are a lot of “mom twins” out there, it’s a generational thing. And there are many good things about it, responsibility, delayed gratification, structure in daily life BUT my mom didn’t work outside the home and there wasn’t nearly the amount of fast paced living that we cope with today. She didn’t even have a driver’s license until after I was born! She walked a few blocks to the corner store for necessities and the next door neighbor took her to the grocery store once a week so they could both do the “big shop”. Whatever the drawbacks were there were also benefits. I totally understand how health issues can slow you down I’ve had a few of my own in recent years. It’s wonderful to hear that you have opened a new chapter and are offering your intuitive healing gifts to the world. That kind of service and support for others is so needed right now. 🙏
It's tricky to balance between the two, I was raised in much the same way, but listening to one's intuition and body, and trusting in that is quite liberating.
Yes, the balance between outer expectations and pressures on our time vs. The inner wisdom that can help us stay grounded and aligned to what we need body, mind and soul. I think that’s why we always need to to reevaluating how we are living. I appreciate you sharing from your own experience. 🙏
A piece of deep wisdom from the always insightful Lao Tzu. Is what you are doing, the thing that is keeping you busy and distracted actually meaningful and valuable? That’s something worth pondering, thanks so much Janice for sharing this with everyone.
Always love the knowledge and wisdom you share. Your missed🥰🙏✨️
This was a timely reminder, Jan, thank you. My mother modeled productivity. She seldom napped, until her last few years, and prided herself on getting through a daily list. Though I resisted that style as a child, I became that as an adult. I'm learning, all over again, how to make space for a different kind of doing.
This is such a common experience! I love the phrase "a different kind of doing", thanks for sharing that.
My mom said, "The only time I can read is when I'm on vacation. Otherwise, there are too many things to do, too many calls to make, too many interruptions, someone always needing something." I've discovered when I can really rest, sink into deeply, surrender fully to that within that is drawing me in, that I never have to think if I've had enough, another part of me effortlessly moves into creativity. Thank you for this!
So glad you're finding real rest, balance and creativity. All so important fro our soul.
Thank you for this special write up. I'm finding g it easier to rest now I'm inmenopause. 😴 my body cries out for rest. Our society demands work n activities from us, yet our bodies crave rest too. It's all about balance...
There is a beauty in rest and like many beautiful things our culture overlooks them.
Reading you today with my feet up, sipping a cup of homemade cold brew coffee with lots of organic heavy cream and filtered ice cubes…
Oooo Organic heavy cream YUM! Thanks for reading,
Organic heavy cream -- that got me, too! :)
It took me many years to learn the value of rest. Then many more to be able to take it without feeling guilty. Wish I could get my daughter to understand this need both body and soul seek.
It is interesting that it seems to take most of us a long time to embrace this realization. Yet, I rarely see someone go back to the go-go-go lifestyle. I know I never will.
I have an intimate relationship with rest, as well as a rocky one, as someone with a disability. I HAVE to rest in between tasks, and sometimes, stopping for rest means stopping my work for the day. I'm trying to become ok with that, and I think I'm getting there.
It's quite a contrast to my earlier days, when I could do non-stop and pull the occasional all-nighter! It helps that my husband is very supportive!
(BTW, I think it was you I told that I was starting a second Substack for my Witchy thoughts. It's called "Principled Witchery." If that was not you, then I apologize!)
Relationship to rest can be tricky. A disability, whether physical, emotional etc. will definitely require modulation of activity. Yet we can grieve the energy and motivation we once had. Coming to friendly terms with what is can make all the difference and help cultivate acceptance and peace within. I'll be checking out your Substack Principled Witchery.
Yup. It's a journey! I give thanks for the good days!
Thanks for checking it out. There's not much there right now! I hope to fix that in the next few days!
Thank you, Jan! Rest used to feel like "cheating" to me. Your Mom was a twin to my Mom! LOL I retired from my day job a year ago and have expanded what was my sideline, an intuitive healing practice. When I'm not working with clients, I still wanna be busy and I tend to keep myself busy! Different health things have happened recently that have forced me to slow down and rest. And I'm learning to honor this! Thanks for your beautiful words and sharing part of your story!
Hi PJ, I think there are a lot of “mom twins” out there, it’s a generational thing. And there are many good things about it, responsibility, delayed gratification, structure in daily life BUT my mom didn’t work outside the home and there wasn’t nearly the amount of fast paced living that we cope with today. She didn’t even have a driver’s license until after I was born! She walked a few blocks to the corner store for necessities and the next door neighbor took her to the grocery store once a week so they could both do the “big shop”. Whatever the drawbacks were there were also benefits. I totally understand how health issues can slow you down I’ve had a few of my own in recent years. It’s wonderful to hear that you have opened a new chapter and are offering your intuitive healing gifts to the world. That kind of service and support for others is so needed right now. 🙏
It's tricky to balance between the two, I was raised in much the same way, but listening to one's intuition and body, and trusting in that is quite liberating.
Yes, the balance between outer expectations and pressures on our time vs. The inner wisdom that can help us stay grounded and aligned to what we need body, mind and soul. I think that’s why we always need to to reevaluating how we are living. I appreciate you sharing from your own experience. 🙏
'Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.' Lao Tzu
It is so very wonderful to sit and watch the shadows of the trees play across the walls. 'Doing nothing is better being busy doing nothing.' Lao Tzu
A piece of deep wisdom from the always insightful Lao Tzu. Is what you are doing, the thing that is keeping you busy and distracted actually meaningful and valuable? That’s something worth pondering, thanks so much Janice for sharing this with everyone.