Between rest and atrophy

Ahhh, the quiet days of January are here.  No major holidays coming anytime soon, no frantic looking about for gifts, no parties to plan.  I never thought I'd say this, but I find myself enjoying this time of year more and more as I get older.

It used to be the dreaded time between holidays, when cabin fever sets in and families begin devouring each other because of the constant close quarters.  Cabin fever is more of a threat in the cold and snowy midwest than you who live further south, where the sun doesn't abandon you for months at a time.  Yes, we see the sun, but it doesn't do us any good.

Maybe it's because I work during the busy Christmas season and then it's all over on Christmas Eve (thank heavens).  But this has become a time of recuperation for me, and I need it more each year.  We all need times of rest and "re-setting" so that we don't burn ourselves out... sometimes taking others with us on the long fall into chaos.

A few years ago, I was constantly on a search for "rest," not realizing that rest doesn't come to you like a puppy in need of affection.  Real rest to me is more a state of contentment, no matter what your situation.  I like the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling, the first line of which reads:

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you...."


While it's good to maintain a level head in times of high stress, it's good to be away from that stress at times, too.  I guess I'm still working on what the word "rest" involves, because I haven't reached it yet.  I know a nice vacation in a tropical area with lots of flowers and room service would be a pretty good rest for me, even with all three boys along.

By the way, Kipling's poem ends after four stanzas of "Ifs" and ends with this:

"... you'll be a man, my son!"


That line has never resonated with me, for some reason (maybe because I'm not a man). But I've tried posting this where my sons can read it, and I can only hope they read it and learn from it.

Webster defines "rest" as "peace of mind or spirit."  That seems about right, when it comes to contentedness.  It also gives "freedom from activity or labor" as well as "a place for resting or lodging," so that tropical vacation really fits the bill....  This is good, as Brian and I will be heading to Trinidad in three days to attend a wedding next Saturday.  Can't wait, even though I know there won't be any room service (we're staying with friends), which I can definitely handle.

Another definition, and this is one that I really like and strive for: "free of anxiety."  This is one that I can absolutely be in charge of, because worrying is a choice.  The greatest example of humanity said it best: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  Luke 12:22-34 is a fabulous passage on the foolishness of worrying... and what we should strive for instead.

Unfortunately, too much rest can result in one last Webster definition: "a state of motionlessness or inactivity" or "the repose of death."  When we take rest too far, we atrophy and become smaller (at least our muscles do; the fat just stays and stays).  Our expectations of ourselves dwindle, and soon, we feel unable to accomplish anything, and wonder why we feel trapped.

I've been there.  It's a choice that's been made... not to make more choices.  I wonder if that's how a lot of people just lose their purpose for living after retirement.  Their world gets smaller and smaller, until the house and maybe grocery store are the extent of their travels.  And then the ability to drive goes away or gets taken away, and the living room, bedroom, and kitchen are the world.  Finally, just the bed, and staring at the ceiling, waiting for someone to take care of you.

That doesn't have to be my future.  But maybe it is, and I have to find peace and rest within that.  Maybe that's the blessing of getting older -- finding that contentment doesn't mean a tropical vacation.  The contentment in knowing that your future home is going to be awesome, and while your time in this world is running out, you can impart some of your wisdom with the younger set and tell them stories of what life was like back in the day.

Somehow, my blog was hijacked.  But that's the adventure in blogging, going where the Spirit leads.  But I urge you, as I urge myself, to find the balance between rest and atrophy in this season of quietness.  Live life fully as you recuperate from the holidays, and appreciate the downtime.

If you're not in a time of recuperation, then... so sorry!  Hope you find it soon if you need it.

What's your definition of rest, and have you been getting it?