Simply Saturday: The Need for REST

Well today is the first free Saturday I've had since February.  So much activity and busyness, so today I'm enjoying a day at home, catching up on rest and of course doing some reflection on the week to come, as my body rest.

When I think of relaxation this is my picture of what it looks like.  Sitting near water, looking out at the water and walking along the beach.  Doesn't that make you take
a deep breath, and go ahhh! Well in the ideal world we escape and get to the water to breathe deeply and exhale.  What happens when we don't? Our bodies begin to tell us that it's time for rest and relaxation.  In the midst of everyday, we need time to pull away from it all, and change our focus.  The month of March and April have been hectic to say the least.  Here's what I learned from the past two months:



R- Replenish
Replenishing is key to being our best.  When we need to be replenished, it's because we've emptied out and need to be refueled.  The danger of not replenishing regularly, is that we find ourselves empty and still giving out, but it's out of an empty place, and it causes damage to our bodies.  It's like running a marathon, without ever replenishing our fluids and resting our bodies.  We become fatigued.  So replenish by drinking lots of water, daily.  Eating healthy fruits and vegetables in large quantities.  Having quiet time with God, daily.  Getting outdoors in the fresh air, and taking a walk.  There are so many ways to replenish. 
 
E - Exhale
Breathing is so beneficial to our lives, yet we must take the time to exhale.  In the midst of our hustle and bustle of life, take regular moments to exhale. Breath deeply, and then release the breath.  Exhaling is a signal to our bodies that respite is near.  Exhaling is releasing the cares of the day, and letting them go, not picking them up again.  Do it now,, take a deep breath...now exhale with your lips pursed until all of the air is expelled.  Did you feel that, clear feeling in your head?  That breath of fresh air?  That's what it feels like to exhale.

S-Solitude
One of my favorite words is solitude, because  we all need to be still and have quiet moments in our days.  This is one of the most needed elements in our day, but we often leave it for last.  Starting our day at a slow pace, and ordering our day so that we have time for quiet reflection will restore us.
 
T-Take It In!
In each of these instances of REST, we must take it all in.  Everyday we are walking by moments that should be embraced and taken in.  The bird sitting on the grass as we leave the house.  The freshly bloomed flower in our garden, the baby that smiles at you as you pass them.  Take it all in.  Be refueled, Be replenished, and establish a habit of REST.

SimplySaturday