"There is more to life than merely increasing its speed." - Gandhi
I have been on this thing called a sabbatical for almost two days. I have been surprised that I just can't seem to relax. I don't wake up thinking about work but I do wake up thinking there are things I "have to get done" and then remind myself that I don't. They are not even big things, it's things like replacing the light bulb, going to the grocery store, etc.. Things that never would have been on my list.
By far the hardest thing to live without is email. Again not because I think there are all these emails coming my way but because I think it comforts me to have that to check. The scary thing is that I have been know to check these multiple times per hour either on my phone or by logging on. I am fighting the urge to replace email with facebook and other items. I don't have all the words for it, yet I know that this is part of the journey.
I also find myself wanting to fill my time and forcing myself not to fill my day with coffee with one person and then lunch with another and so on. Ok so I know it has only been 2 days but these are some of my thoughts.
Yesterday was interesting...not hard, interesting. I tried to sleep in and though I did, I woke up two or three times after my family left for school. I have so longed to just sleep in and there I was trying to shut off the stresses of what I "had to do", unable to really sleep. As I sat in the sun I realized that I wasn't yet ready to journal but decided to start reading a book given to me by a friend call Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Oh my goodness, it is exactly what I needed to be reading at the start of this.
One activity that I did add into my time is a walking group Tuesday and Thursday morning with some friends. Today was our first hour walk. I know that I will look forward to these times. We walk up beautiful Euclid Avenue in Upland and today was beautiful!
I have much to learn and for only two days in I can see that I first have a lot to release. Thank you Lord for granting me this time - please continue to meet me!
"In the trance of overwork, we take everything for granted." - Muller
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This blog began as a journal of my three month sabbatical, then my three year doctoral program, and now life moving forward!
Cedar Springs
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- On a journey
- This blog is my attempt to journal my three month sabbatical learning's and journey. The focus is to capture my thoughts, prayers and growth. My true journey began March 23, 2009...
Wow Deana. This is truly an exciting time for you and your family. Maybe you should stop the caffeine while on the sabbatical so you can relax more. And, start Yoga after your walking. I know that God is going to do some powerful things in your life over the next three months.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot to be said for changing your pace, shifting your focus, seeing new vistas and getting outside of your box. On the other hand, just be careful that you don't spend 3 months doing what other people say you have to do to find yourself, only to discover that you just spent 3 months running away from yourself.
ReplyDeleteA book that has really meant a lot to me over the years has been Parker Palmer's Let Your Life Speak. In a nutshell, make sure you spend as much time on your journey listening to who you are as you do listening to who other people (or you) think you are (or should be).
-- se