Years ago I heard a story and I still carry it with me today. I do not always recall the story when I aught, but it was tickling at my memory and so I have been reflecting upon it. The story recounts a painter who was enjoying his sunlit garden and embraced the opportunity to greet a spontaneous nap on a welcoming garden bench. As he began to settle into the comfort of his repose, one of his children approached and asked, "Father, are you resting?"
"No," he replied to his child, adjusting to make himself even more comfortable, "I am working." He relaxed further. The sun warming his body. The breeze providing a natural rhythm to which he fell away into.
The next morning the painter walked into the same garden with an eagerness to again commune with the sunlit garden but with an anticipation and excitement to paint all the sacredness he had received from the morning before. His inspiration flowed onto the canvas. Again, his child approached. This time he asked, "Father, are you working?" Barely pausing his brush the artist replied, "No, I am resting."
When we are doing that which we are called to be doing, we find ourselves caught in a vast and beautiful flow of energy. We are able to swept up into that energy and find tremendous fulfillment in the doing. It is no longer work but instead a contentment and at times even a joy.
The artist referred to his nap as working and at times, allowing ourselves to release the false guilt that rest is wasteful, selfish, or even unnecessary, is hard to do. But, it is necessary for us to replenish ourselves so that we can have access to the energy we need. There is a balance that must be honored between rest and activity. We need to nourish ourselves emotionally, spiritually and physically.
Release the false narratives holding you back from receiving the healing and replenishing you need. Make space to do that work so that you can gift the world with the wonderful creative and constructive contributions you are meant to bring forth.
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