The Rhythm of Rest

I've been thinking a lot about our conversation on Monday.

Remember when I shared that my best friend reminded me, "No." is a complete sentence?

I'll admit, I laughed.

Then I looked at my calendar and realized she wasn't just talking about saying no to other people.

She was talking about saying yes to myself.

Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing a lie.

If I'm not producing, I'm not valuable.

We'd probably never say those words out loud.

But we often live as though they're true.

        We fill every open space on our calendars.

                We answer emails during dinner.

                        We check one more thing before bed.

                                    Then we wonder why we're exhausted.

Can I ask you something?

Who taught us that being busy is the same as being important?

Because nature certainly didn't.

        The tide comes in and goes out.

            The moon has phases.

                The seasons change.

                    Even your heartbeat has a rhythm of work and rest.

Everything healthy has rhythm.

Why do we think we should be the exception?

I've noticed something in my own life recently.

The decisions I'm most proud of didn't come while I was pushing harder.

They came after a walk with Cali and Eire... while Lola quietly supervised from the bushes.

They came while sitting in my garden with a cup of coffee.

They came after giving myself permission not to have the answer immediately.

Maybe you've experienced that too.

Maybe what you're looking for isn't another productivity hack.

Maybe it's a little breathing room.

Coffee Conversation

Before we finish our coffee together, I'd love to leave you with three questions.

Not to answer right away.

Just to carry with you.

What is making you tired?

Not just physically.

    Emotionally.

        Mentally.

            Spiritually.

Now take one more step.

What are you carrying that doesn't actually belong to you?

Someone else's expectations?

        The pressure to prove yourself?

            The guilt of saying no?

Finally...

Imagine someone handed you one uninterrupted hour this week.

No obligations.

No guilt.

No agenda.

How would you spend it?

Notice I didn't ask what you would accomplish.

I asked how you would spend it.

There's a difference.

        One fills your calendar.

                The other fills your soul.

This Week's Reminder

Don't try to earn your rest.

Protect it.

Because the healthiest leaders I know aren't the ones who never stop.

They're the ones who know when it's time to.

Until next time, keep leading with strength and living with purpose.

-srt

#ThursdayThoughts #LeadWithStrength #LiveWithPurpose #ReaCoachingandConsulting