I get nervous when I rest. I am afraid that I am falling behind, a feeling I don't like. It is a hard state for me to not feel guilty about - I think 'oh, all this time away and what have I accomplished?' It is so hard to put that pattern of thinking to rest.
I know intellectually that I must lie fallow for a while so that I am ready to return to work when I get home. But I have had to convince myself to believe that I need a rest. A rest from my to do lists. A rest from my busy life.
I think that I have done a slightly better job of resting this year than in the past, even thought it has taken me 4 weeks to wind down. My Mum does the cooking and laundry while we are here in her house (she has a lovely servant's heart and takes such joy in caring for her family), so we have filled up our days with walks and sight seeing and many other fun family things. It is a different kind of busy, family memory making busy, so it has contributed somewhat to my sense of rest.
On this, our last week of our visit to Ireland, I am trying to take sometime for me. Me alone. Some time to reflect on the past year and plan for the coming year; to take stock of the purpose for my life as a mother, an educator, as an author, an artist and friend. What do I want to accomplished by this time next year?
My trusty journal holds some ideas and notes and a few new projects are brewing. I have been reading the fab blog 'Visionary Mom', letting the ideas percolate.
I am finding
space for my mind to grow
time for ideas to flourish,
for creativity to well up and overwhelm me
I need this
I need this
You are so blessed to have a mom that desires to care for you and allows you to rest and make memories with your family. Such a treasure. I am happy that you are allowing yourself to rest and to reflect and plan because when you get back, it's going to be life as usual, very busy; so make the most of the time you have left to get the rest you need; and I am sure you will return with charged batteries and ready to take on the world.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous photos, by the way.
Trudy
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com &
Host of The Artistic Mother's Art Group,
www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com
For me, resting the body and resting the mind are two entirely different challenges.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are in the perfect place for both! Ireland. How dreamy! A caretaker mother. Divine.
I would meditate on your own words...
"I am trying to take sometime for me. Me alone. Some time to reflect on the past year and plan for the coming year; to take stock of the purpose for my life as a mother, an educator, as an author, an artist and friend. What do I want to accomplished by this time next year?"
Sounds like you have a wonderful goal here. Good luck!
It's all too easy to get caught up with the everyday stuff and it always feels good to stop, pause and reflect. Enjoy your 'me' time.
ReplyDeleteShona, I have Narcolepsy and Severe Cataplexy, I struggle with the thoughts every day. you have to rest, I agree with the me time for you.....I sleep half my life away, but it is so the other half when I am awake that I can function as best as I can....Take this week and enjoy every moment and in such a dreamy place.....big hug to you, your Mom sounds like a love. take care,
ReplyDeleteAhhh. I relate. I recently went through a chapter on entering God's rest from Max Lucado's Bible study of Hebrews. Rest is a gift to enter. . . yet we find it so hard to receive it, don't we.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we feel guilty about nourishment? Hmmm...something to journal.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and lovely photos.
What a wonderful mother you have.
Have a lovely time. Rest.
Grace,
~jodi shaw
I'm so glad that you're taking some time out for rest and me time this your last week in Ireland. I recognise your struggles. I often have the same ones, but have learned the hard way that rest is usually the best thing for us mentally, physically, creatively and spiritually. It increases productivity rather than decreases it. But when you're a restless soul, it's hard to take on board. Rest without guilt and trust all will be well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Shona....and good on your wonderful mother giving you some time away from the everyday chores of our life. Hope you are able to have some 'me' time whilst you are on holiday...it is nourishing for your soul...
ReplyDeleteJenny
Gorgeous post as always ~ pictures and words. So glad you are able to get your own retreat ~ we all need it or the well runs dry. (Love the blue toenails!)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! As a mother of 3 I feel I always need to be doing something and if I am not I feel guilty and uneasy. I am slowly realizing that I need to take care of myself in order to be the best mom for my kids.
ReplyDeleteHello Shona. Just found your blog and fell in love with your photographs - love the purple of those flowers, and who can resist daisies? Do you use any kind of filter? They have a lovely almost muted colour about them. And as for resting - gosh yes, it is very hard to 'allow' oneself to have a break. But the benefits once feeling rested are wonderful!
ReplyDeletei know that feeling too well ..theses are calm special image of rest
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to this. Thank you for posting about something that I'm sure many of us think about. I can sit still, but I ALWAYS have to be doing something: crocheting while watching TV, reading while enjoying the sunshine... I just took a meditation workshop and it's made me rethink this constant activity. I think sometimes it's important to just stop and let your mind and body rest.
ReplyDeleteWren
{The Apron Thief, TheApronThief.etsy.com}
Oh, I could so relate to this, I feel like it is impossible to relax sometimes, but I am learning that I have to force myself to do it sometimes, you really do need that time to regenerate. My mom is much like yours, she is always asking me if I need her to come and help me with things, even with her sore knees and all her own things to do. W are blessed to have mom's like that. Your trip looks like it has been absolutely wonderful.
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