Where's My Energy?

There are so many days where I look at my home and just sigh, because like many of you, I don't want to do it. And you know what, that is okay. That is, for just one day. We should never allow ourselves to not do what needs to be done for more than just one or two days, because if you do, those days turn into weeks. And that is something that just doesn't do it.

Today is one of those days for me, and I thought I'd share the why. For one, I spent a great deal of time over the past week getting things done in my life. Such as, decluttering and cleaning a great portion of my home. I had classes to attend, family to take care of, and just getting things done that needed attention. I deserved a day to relax and take care of myself. And you know what, I chose the perfect day to do it: Sunday.


In the Bible, God rested on the seventh day: Sunday. The Bible then goes on to encourage and even make it a Levitical Law that a person was not allowed to do anything strenuous on the Sabbath (Remember the Sabbath and make it Holy is a part of the Ten Commandments, after all). But there is more to it than just a Holy Day.

Setting aside one day a week to rest is very important to our health. For one, it allows our bodies to heal from a week of exercise and work. Another, is that resting for at least one day helps restore our immune system. And of course, it gives us a chance to breath without feeling regret or guilt. I even find that I sleep better on Saturday nights just because I have nothing to stress about for the next 24 hours. And that does the body good (as the milk commercial used to say).

Some people use the day to prepare for the week. Others use it for a day of entertainment. And a lot of people use it for a day of worship, meditation and self reflection. All things that benefit us for the long run. In many ways, too, it is a time to "declutter the mind". 

What does it mean to declutter the mind? Well, let's see the benefits:

  • It reduces stress
  • It redirects our thoughts
  • It generates a healthy outlook
So, how do you declutter the mind? It is very simple and easy to do:
  • Turn off all noise or get away from all distractions
  • Sit or lie down in a comfortable place
  • Start by focusing on your breathing, taking slow and methodical breaths
  • Tense up all the muscles in your body, then slowly relax each muscle starting your toes, ensuring you take at least one full breath with the release of each muscle
  • Once your body is relaxed, focus on something that makes you feel good. This can be a positive memory, a reflective poem, a picture in your mind of something that brings you peace, or even hearing a special song in your mind
  • As you focus on what makes you feel good, slowly take a deep breath in through your nose, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat five times.
At this point, you should be totally relaxed, or maybe even asleep (which isn't such a bad thing when you are taking a day of rest). But the key to this exercise is that you feel relaxed and free of negative thoughts. For the rest of the day, I would suggest avoiding things like suspenseful movies or novels, the news, arguments, and thinking about work the next day (okay, I'd save that one for your bedtime routine as you plan out the next day's events). 

For me, I tend to read what I call "mind candy". I'm a woman, so I read what is called "chick lit". This is a genre of literature for women that is not to be mixed up with the Harlequin romance novels, but books that focus on the strengths of women and those around them. Empowering is what I think of when I read them. Of course, most do have a romance in them, but it isn't the sole focus of the novel. The thing I like the most about them is that they leave me feeling good after I read them.


So, prop your feet up. Diffuse some lavender essential oil. Grab that book you've been thinking about. Relax, rest, and enjoy.

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