“How beautiful it is to do nothing at all and then rest afterwards.” –Spanish Proverb
“I make no secret of the fact that I would rather lie on a sofa than sweep beneath it.” –Shirley Conran
“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” –Alan cohen
Every fall I feel myself going into hibernation, or cocoon mode. It feels like lots of transformation is going on under the surface, but whatever changes are happening to me aren’t ready to see the light of day as yet. I’m not quite sure what it’s all about, except that I have to stop trying to do so much and allow the process to happen. All I know is I’ve entered a season of quiet, and I must honor it.
In this country we think that to be worthwhile, we must be active, always doing, accomplishing something. I think it’s our Puritan work ethic which is slowly killing us. Work is good if it’s meaningful, but too much is detrimental to our health. Our bodies are designed to rejuvenate in sleep. The mind needs to be quiet. We need to refresh and renew every so often, instead of pushing ourselves to the limit. I believe that when we don’t allow ourselves to relax, we develop insomnia, nervous disorders, and other health problems. I’m not a doctor, or scientist. I didn’t take the time to research my statements. I’m just going by what happens to me when I try to push myself too hard.
This past spring, we had a short visit from a friend from Australia. He’s a Law Professor. His University gives him $25,000.00 travel stipend every year. They want him to go explore, make connections, get out of the office and learn something new. On top of that Australians get four weeks of paid vacation, and paid maternity leave. I’m envious. There are times when I wish I lived in a country that valued planned idleness and play, because that’s when inspiration and innovation come to us. I know my mind works much better when I’ve allowed myself to rest and focus on something other than the current project on which I’m working.
So, I’m going to follow my inclination to read lots of books, allow what I write to meander in fanciful ways. I’m going to take naps and generally enjoy myself this fall and winter. I hope you take some time off to play and relax when you need it too.
Lucinda Sage-Midgorden © 2014
Sage Woman Chronicles 
I spent far too many years, about thirty, being busy. I did take a vacation every year, but usually it was no more than ten days. I used that time well. The problem is it got harder and harder to return to work and at the same time my hours got longer and longer.
Now I am retired and it is almost impossible to motivate myself to accomplish anything. I feel used up. I am almost always up for a trip somewhere, but beyond that it’s hard for me to feel inspired to do much of anything.
If I’d had even $2000 a year with which to travel I’d have been in heaven! I feel quite envious of your friend from Australia. We truly are a country that edpedts everyone to work hard yet doesn’t value the worker.
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Emilie,
I’m envious of him too. He and his family have traveled to lots of places around the world, and they didn’t have to sell their house to pay for the trip.
Lucinda
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