Rest. Relax. Recharge.

The gift of time and solitude…it’s a beautiful thing. These past few weeks I’ve had the time, but the solitude is hard to come by.  Our small home feels even smaller with three dogs, a teenage boy, a college daughter (home for the holidays), and a husband all occupying the space.  Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love  being all together.  Our home is full of life, laughter, and joy.  I’ve treasured relaxed family meals, game and movie nights, family outings, and lounging around in our PJ’s by the fire on lazy mornings.  However, finding moments that are still, quiet, and distraction free are hard to come by.  When I let our dogs outside, they scratch on the windows. When I let the dogs in, they are jumping on me wanting attention. My husband and son are either beatboxing or have the TV blaring. My daughter….well, she’s not the issue. Ha! All that to say, I’ve been craving some solitude.

Knowing this, my amazing husband did a magnificent thing for me this week.  He arranged for me to spend a few days away so I could have some alone time with me, myself, and I.  It was heavenly.  I packed my overnight bag and checked into my parents house (they weren’t there) for 2 days and 1 night.   During my stay, I took time to reflect on my year, write out my 2018 goals and action steps, and write. I took bubble baths, read, slept in, went on a long walk, and had time to think.  It was truly just what I needed to rest, relax, and recharge.

I know it is not easy for everyone to get this time.  Life is full and busy with lots commitments that make finding solitude difficult.  It’s sometimes hard for us to slow down and prioritize time to rest and recharge even when we do have it.  We push, push, push and go, go, go, because that’s just what we do.  We have a little time off and it quickly fills with catching up with friends and loved ones, planning for the next unit we’re teaching when we return, deep cleaning the house, putting up Christmas decorations, taking down Christmas decorations….you get my point.  Resting and recharging (taking care of us) falls to the end of the list.  Although, how much more will be able to give and care for those we love and serve if we make the time to refuel.  When we are running on empty everyone suffers…especially us.

With our holiday breaks coming to an end before we know it, let me give you permission to rest.  Take some time, even if it’s an hour or two, to find solitude...complete solitude.  Read, write, take a bubble bath, set goals, choose your “one word”, make resolutions, it's up to you as long as it fills you up and allows you to rest, relax, and recharge. Take care of you so when the ball drops on New Year’s Eve you’ll be refreshed and ready to CRUSH 2018!

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