Take time to be still……
‘work is not always required…there is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.’
George MacDonald
‘rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky,
is hardly a waste of time.’
Sir J. Lubbock
I was taught that to be idle was to participate with the devil 🙂
The concept of rest was a sin!
As an artist, I have come to learn that it is through the moments of ‘pausing’ that I am aware and attentive to a part of myself that I cannot access when I am accomplishing a zillion things off of my list.
As an artist, I have come to learn that the flow of creativity comes through ‘play’, a position of the mind where time is irrelevant and non-existent.
As an artist, I’ve learned that deep rest facilitates self-awareness and that true art comes from speaking one’s deepest truth from that self-awareness.
As an artist, I’ve learned that day-dreaming is an essential ingredient in my day.
As an artist, I’ve learned to schedule in times where I can get lost in play, pondering, rest, and reflection.
As an artist, I have learned to integrate
spacious rest with to-do lists,
dreaming and doing,
playing and planning,
doodling and daring,
slowing down and scheduling.
One of my daily practices is to ask this question of Divine Love;
‘what are your words of life for me today?’
One of the consistent whispers that I am aware of is to ‘walk gently’.
It has been an interesting phrase, and what I have understood on a heart level is to hold a way of being that isn’t rushed, pushy, or fear-based.
This phrase speaks to me of walking with intentionality, strength,
And with an inner calmness holding a great sense of well-being.
I am learning that the well-being and calmness
comes out of my times of rest.
In rest, I am renewed, strengthened, and reminded of the One who loves me most.
In rest, my body is restored and strengthened for times of big tasks where tremendous energy is needed.
Sometimes people have commented that I seem to have so much energy.
It makes me smile, because for me the energy has emerged out of the rest, out of the quiet places, the silence, the being-ness.
May you be blessed with rest and renewal this week!
A Soul Care Day Retreat will be held on August 8 & A Soul Care Evening of Music & Labyrinth Walk!!
https://cathyajhardy.com/events/
This song emerged a few years ago from a time of rest! Enjoy!
