Celebrating the Many Shades of Rest

How important it is for us to rest.

But even more so, for us to recognize and realize all the ways in which we can be called to rest.

The true essence of rest is far more profound than we often give it credit for.

I mistakenly believed that rest was mere inactivity – an emptiness of action, a pause in our bustling routine. But is that truly all it is? Or is there a deeper layer, a more profound understanding that I’ve been missing?

There are seasons in our lives where we’re beckoned towards silence, towards solitude, and yes, towards sleep. These are all essential facets of rest, no doubt.

But as I recently discovered, rest is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It’s more fluid, malleable, and shaped by our ever-changing needs and desires.

Sometimes, true rest isn’t about distancing ourselves from the world but diving into it.

To play without guilt, to connect without barriers, to simply be in a world that constantly asks us to become.

This too is rest. It’s a balm for the soul, a salve for wounds we didn’t even know we had.

Imagine a pendulum.

On one side, there’s the rest we know: the quiet, the calm, the retreat. On the opposite end, there’s the joyous celebration of life, the loud laughter, the vibrant connection.

Both are forms of rest. Both rejuvenate and restore. One isn’t better or worse; they simply serve different needs at different moments.

It’s crucial that we remain attuned to our inner compass, for it always knows which direction our soul yearns for. We need to trust its gentle nudges, even when they seem counterintuitive. It might whisper for us to dance when we thought we needed to meditate, or to plunge into a book when we assumed we needed a celebration.

Resting in our own being – as I have come to understand it – is about alignment.

It’s about synchronicity with one’s true self. It’s not just about stopping, but sometimes about moving in harmony with our own rhythm. It’s a gentle dance, a delicate balance between giving and receiving, doing and being.

When we trust ourselves, when we rely on that innate wisdom, we cultivate a potent magnetism. The universe conspires, life aligns, and serendipity abounds. Doors open, opportunities arise, and joy manifests, all because we chose to rest in our authenticity.

When you feel the call to rest, ask yourself: What does my soul truly need right now? And whatever the answer, embrace it fully. Because every shade of rest is a step towards wholeness.

Always,

Your Trusted Friend ❤︎