REST In These Areas
Ok, now that we know that REST is NECESSARY and not optional, let’s explore specific areas of our lives to build rest in. These are areas that I believe if not managed well, can cause anxiety and throw us out of BALANCE. Read below and reflect on which areas of your life are calling for rest and give yourself permission to access the REST God is giving you.
Rest in Your Relationships. The desire for love and belonging is NATURAL; particularly, the longing for love in a romantic sense. However, if we are honest, navigating “these dating streets” or attempting to have a “good relationship” can easily become draining and performative. We can focus on DOING everything “right” to make ourselves eligible and observing what the other person is DOING and before we know it we are tired and dissatisfied.
Rest in your relationships by focusing on EMBODYING your values. In other words, BECOME what you DESIRE. Focus your energy on BEING joyful. BEING kind. BEING generous and you will deepen your love and appreciation for yourself AND attract what you desire. Rest from DOING and find balance in BECOMING.
Rest in the Journey. Rome WAS NOT built in a day. We know this, yet we want instant results AND we invest in solutions and strategies to get QUICK outcomes. How much stress do we encounter because we have not reached our goal weight in 30 days? Or met our savings goal for the year? Instead of stacking up frustration from unmet outcomes, focus on cultivating a lifestyle with habits that lead to your desires. Select small manageable habits to implement over time that lead to PROGRESS and reduce the stress of PERFECTION. REST in your PROCESS to PROGRESS!
Rest in Your Work. Did y’all know that the Sabbath (day of REST) is a COMMANDMENT from God. That’s right, GOD instructs his children to take a break or REST from your work. Why is this? I believe it is because REST actually makes us more productive. When you have the opportunity to step away, close the book. Close the laptop. Turn OFF the phone. It actually allows our brains to reset and think of CREATIVE solutions.
Your physical work-whether it is as a full time student, stay at home mother, employer, or employee can produce a never ending cycle of tasks. Give yourself permission today to TAKE A BREAK, knowing that your break is NOT in vain and will actually fuel your work “getting done”.
REST with Me and Join Our 7 DAY Balance Challenge
Join our 7 day BALANCE Challenge to get into the rhythm of REST in your life. Click here to sign up today and know that BALANCE is on the way!
~Dr. Niah