Down Time

In this issue . . . n n "Down time" is delightfully uplifting Enjoy the spaces inbetwee
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"Down time" is delightfully uplifting

It's summer and many of us are scheduled to take some time off, but some of us feel guilty when we aren't productive. Can you take a vacation? Really? I recently returned from an 11 day vacation in Costa Rica with my husband. This was a real vacation. No computers. No cell phones. No plans for spiritual or work retreats. No one to meet. Nothing to do but play for 11 days. I was so looking forward to it that I wasn't expecting what happened two days into the trip.

We adjusted to our electronic media withdrawal very quickly. But, what I didn't expect was a creeping feeling that something was missing. Something very important was gone, and while I was loving the trip and being with my husband, I felt a bit empty. After two days of internal query I pinpointed what I felt I was missing. I was having work withdrawal. Not the type of work where I'm answering emails, calls, working on the computer. The type of work where I feel I'm making a difference in the world and growing. I felt that I was doing nothing to improve myself. I brought an empty journal expecting to have great insights and breakthroughs. Nope. None of that. Only hiking, resting, eating, loving, bird watching (Yes, I admit I'm a bird watcher), getting massaged. What was the purpose of all this? A part of me needed a purpose in order to feel fulfilled.

One night in desperatio
I turned inward to a spiritual guide within for insight on this issue. The voice within said, "You feel that unless you're moving forward in life you're not doing anything. But you are doing something. You're resting. You're taking a break. You're recharging. Without this you wear down. Relax. You are not failing."

OK. I felt better now. I was relaxing. At least that was SOMETHING. I was able to let go and allow this to happen. Once I got into the "down" time something became very clear. I was filling up. I thought I filled myself up with my work and my learning. But this was a different type of fuel. I was nourishing my body and the rest of me on a deep level. The forward movement had stopped and this felt strange. Then the dust settled and I saw the meaning and importance of rest.

I now have respect for my down time. I try to breath between appointments and calls. I allow myself to sleep in and even wander out onto the porch at times to sit and look at the flowers and listen to the birds in my yard. When I return to work I'm refreshed and more productive.

I know there's still a part of me that believes that I must be productive in order to belong. I'm now learning the importance of taking time for rest and appreciation of all that's happening around me. I do belong no matter what I do and am more uplifted when I revel in my "down time."

If you'd like assistance with life enrichment, contact me at debhill@yourintuitivelife.com. n n
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